I attended the Petitions Committee this week, where they were discussing two petitions which I have been closely involved – one relating to school transport and the other is of particular interest to those impacted by Craig yr Hesg Quarry calling for a minimum 1,000 meters mandatory buffer zone for all new and existing quarries in Wales. You can view the proceedings through this link.
School Transport
The committee agreed that there should be a full debate on the floor of the Senedd sometime in the new year about the two petitions related to school transport.
This will keep the petitions alive and ensure an opportunity to bring up the concerns of residents and discuss the current consultation on reviewing the guidance.
1000 meter mandatory buffer zone for all new and existing quarries
It’s clear that there’s a difference of opinion between the Welsh Government and campaigners on whether the MTAN-1 needs to be reviewed or not, with the Welsh Government seeking evidence from elected members to determine whether its contents were up to date.
The Committee agreed to write to the Welsh Government to seek clarity on what kind of evidence would prompt them to initiate a review; and also to ask the Cabinet Secretary whether she would meet with Senedd Members who have concerns about this. I also suggested that this matter should be something the Petitions Committee puts in a legacy report for the next Senedd, so that it’s the focus of the relevant scrutiny committee’s work.
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