The Cabinet Secretary was in Conwy Marina to officially christen the new vessel FPV Catrin, named in memory of Catrin Glyndwr, a prominent woman in Welsh history, and the daughter of the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr.  

FPV Catrin will provide a high speed response capability to ensure Wales continues to effectively enforce fisheries and marine laws.  The new vessel will proudly fly the prestigious Welsh Government Marine and Fisheries enforcement flag, manufactured in Swansea.

FPV Catrin is the first new vessel constructed by ship builders Marine Specialised Technology (MST).  During the visit the Cabinet Secretary met MST staff involved in its design and construction.   

FPV Catrin is the first of three new patrol vessels. FPV Rhodri Morgan and FPV Lady Megan are currently under construction in Pembrokeshire and are scheduled to be delivered to Welsh ports later in the year. 

Speaking prior to cutting the ribbon, offering champagne as a toast and placing green leaves on the vessel for a safe return, Lesley Griffiths said:

“I am delighted to be here in Conwy to celebrate the christening launch of our new Fisheries Patrol Vessel Catrin.  

“Our new vessel will ensure we can continue to effectively enforce fisheries and marine laws. It will help us meet our commitment to manage our fish stocks sustainably and safeguard Wales’ fishing industry and our coastal communities in the years ahead.

“I would like to thank MST – without their dedication and efforts this day would not have been possible.”

Philip Hilbert, Sales Director, Marine Specialised Technology Limited said:

“MST is very privileged to be involved in this prestigious project. 

“This is the largest example to date of our highly regarded High-Speed Patrol Boat series of fully enclosed wheelhouse Rigid Inflatable Boats and at 13m in length is now the flagship of our range. 

“Working with the Welsh Government has been a great experience for us and resulted in an exceptional craft which we are very proud of. Our relationship has been a partnership in which we have worked together to produce one of the most comprehensive vessels of this size and type. As a result it offers unparalleled levels of innovation, technology and capability which we are sure will serve the Fisheries for many years to come.” 

Speaking at the NFU conference in Birmingham, the Cabinet Secretary outlined the importance of devolution and reiterated her commitment to ensure Wales does not lose a penny of funding as a result.

During the speech, the Cabinet Secretary announced the five core principles that underpin the vision for a new Welsh land management policy.  They are:

• We need to keep farmers on the land. Welsh land must be managed by those who know it. 
• We need to ensure our agricultural sector can be prosperous and resilient in a post-Brexit future, whatever that may be.
• Our new policy should centre on Welsh land delivering public goods for all the people of Wales. 
• Our system of support should be accessible to all. That means giving farmers the opportunity to continue to make a living from the land.
• We must not turn our backs on food production. Where sustainable production is viable, we must help our farmers compete in a global marketplace.

Speaking at the conference, the Cabinet Secretary said: 

“As we prepare to leave the EU, the case for devolution is stronger than ever.  The nature of our farming is different and our rural communities are different.  There is no one size that fits all.

“I stand ready to work together on areas of mutual interest with the UK Government and my Scottish and Northern Irish colleagues.  But we must stand as equal partners.  That means fair decisions, fair governance and above all, fair funding.

“Over 18 months on from the referendum, there is no clarity on what funding will return to Wales.  I will continue to insist Wales must not lose a penny and will fight to protect funding returning to Wales from going elsewhere.  We must continue this vital support.

“Farming is a vital part of our rural economy.  I often have to remind people from outside the sector that over 80% of Welsh land is owned and managed by Welsh farmers, foresters and environmental bodies.  We need them and the work they do to help deliver our ambitions for a prosperous Wales.

“I want to start a new phase of detailed discussion on what our new Welsh land management policy should be.  Today I am setting out my emerging thinking and the five core principles for the future of our land and the people who manage it.

“Firstly, we must keep farmers on the land.  Welsh land must be managed by those who know it.  It’s what’s best for our rural economy, our communities and our environment.

“Second, we need to ensure our agriculture sector can be prosperous and resilient in a post-Brexit future, whatever that may be.  My Roundtable group members say the status quo is not an option and I agree.  While the basic payment scheme provides important support for many of our farmers, it will not help us withstand the changes brought by Brexit.  We need to provide support in a different way.

“My third principle is that our new policy should centre on Welsh land delivering public goods for all the people of Wales.  The diversity and richness of Welsh land means we have no shortage of public goods to provide.

“Fourthly, our system of support should be accessible to all.  That means giving farmers the opportunity to continue to make a living from the land.  But we will be asking our farmers to do different things in return for taxpayer support.  This is vital for putting the industry on a secure footing.

“My final principle is we must not turn our backs on food production.  Where sustainable production is viable, we must help our farmers compete in a global marketplace.  Food is core to Welsh farming values and is emblematic of our nation.  We already have a thriving food and drink industry and this is the time to advance it.

“These principles underpin my thinking but this is just the start of the conversation.  I want to start detailed discussion with stakeholders about the details and to get their input on what works.

“We must work towards a shared vision.  I know farmers can adapt but it is government’s job to give them the time and tools to do so.

“The transition period must be a real one, it must be well-planned and it must take place over a number of years.  There is too much at stake – economically, socially and environmentally – to not get this right.

“This is worth taking the time to get right.  It is a once in a generation opportunity and I am confident we can make swift progress.”

Applications are open for grants of up to £15,000, for organisations to test an idea that could improve services for citizens and make savings. Throughout the research and development phase, projects will receive support from Nesta and Cardiff University (through the Y Lab arrangement), and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. There is then an opportunity to apply for loan funding to implement the idea.

Organisations submitting proposals will also be able to draw on the resources and experience of Nesta and Cardiff University to expand the scope of their projects. The deadline for applications is 1st July 2018.

The Finance Secretary stated that in launching a second funding round, he wanted to continue the momentum and build on the innovative ideas and proposals which were put forward last year.

Mark Drakeford said:

“All parts of the Welsh public and third sectors are eligible to apply for Innovate to Save funding. Last year, a wide range of proposals, from the effectiveness of social prescribing to looking at new ways to assist communities threatened by coastal flooding and long-term decline, were put forward.

“We hope to see a similarly wide range of proposals coming forward this year, which will generate cash-releasing savings which can then be re-invested in services and improve outcomes for people, including their quality of life.”

Rob Ashelford, Head of Y Lab Programmes, said:

“Giving people the time and space to experiment with new ideas for public services is more important than ever before. Innovate to Save helps organisations test, evaluate and implement projects that have the potential to improve services and generate savings. We are pleased to offer a new opportunity to apply to the programme and support more innovative projects in Wales.”

Professor Rick Delbridge, Academic Director at Y Lab, said

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to extend the number of participants in the Innovate to Save programme. The Y Lab partnership combines the innovation expertise of Nesta with the academic research of the University in ways that encourage and support innovative and effective projects which can really make a difference.”

In November, heavy and persistent rainfall resulted in wide spread flooding across Ynys Mon, causing damage to roads, footpaths, structures and properties. 

Emergency works were undertaken by local authority officers at the time to ensure the safety of residents. A number of residents in Llangefni were evacuated from their homes and work is still ongoing to repair the damage. 

The council contacted the Welsh Government requesting emergency funding to assist with clean-up efforts and emergency repairs.

Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services, Alun Davies, said,

“I am pleased we have been able to provide this support to the Isle of Anglesey County Council to help assist with repair costs caused by these unique weather conditions.” 

The worst effected area was the A545 between Menai and Beaumaris which suffered a landslip when the deluge of water caused the bank retaining the highway along the Menai Straits to be washed away. The volume of water resulted in further damage to bridge parapet in Brynsiencyn and retaining walls along the A5025.

At numerous locations across the island, surface water drainage was damaged, requiring substantial repairs to reduce the risk of further flooding to properties. 

“This is a significant milestone for the World Heritage Site, reflecting a culmination of two years of work with partners and the local community. Over 600,000 people visited the monuments last year, contributing over £30m to the local economy. The new plan is a platform to ensure the status of the site is protected, and to ensure that these spectacular monuments bring real benefits to the communities they sit in.

“A key strand of the vision aims to encourage greater awareness and understanding of the World Heritage Site, to help people value and appreciate these special places even more. We’re therefore delighted to have worked with young people on this project– as the main objective is to safeguard and protect these important monuments for future generations.”

Carl Russell Owen of Frân Wen added: 

“The young people involved in the project have gained important skills in helping plan, script, edit and prepare the films, which will become useful for them in their future studies and job roles.

Hosting the event in the new, CARN community arts-based venue, funded through the Gwynedd Council and Arts Council for Wales’s STAMP project, within the shadows of the Caernarfon town walls shows how communities can look to regenerate such places in creativeand innovative ways.”