Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

I regularly meet with the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd and council leaders to discuss the local government funding formula through the finance sub-group.

There are no plans for reviewing the number or sizes of community councils. The Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 places primary responsibility for this with principal councils. We are supporting town councils to exercise their current powers in delivering for their local communities in response to COVID-19, including, through access to Welsh Government funding schemes and our Transforming Towns work.

Ensuring everyone has access to accommodation and support is a key priority during this pandemic. We have supported this with £10 million of additional funding and clear guidance to local authorities. This position remains unchanged as we approach the winter and local authorities remain able to access funding to deliver this.

Rydym wedi buddsoddi £2 biliwn mewn tai fforddiadwy yn ystod tymor y Senedd hon, sy’n fwy nag erioed. Mae’r buddsoddiad yn cael effaith sylweddol ar y gwaith o ddarparu tai sy’n diwallu anghenion cymunedau Cymru, ac rydym ar y trywydd iawn i gyflawni ein targed uchelgeisiol o 20,000 o dai fforddiadwy y tymor hwn.

Planning consent for onshore wind projects over 10 MW is determined by Welsh Ministers, underpinned by our national planning policies in Planning Policy Wales and the emerging 'Future Wales' national development framework. Welsh Government supports regions to identify where new generation can help meet heat and transport needs.

Wales currently has 139 marine protected areas, covering 50 per cent of Welsh waters. I am committed to completing our marine protected areas network through the designation and suitable management of further marine conservation zones in Wales where needed.

The whole rural development programme and projects funded through it are subject to a robust and extensive monitoring and evaluation work plan. This assesses the impact of the programme in terms of delivering objectives and overall value for money for the Welsh economy.