Following the WLGA’s Annual General Meeting in Cardiff earlier today, Mark Drakeford said:

“I’d like to send my warmest congratulations to Cllr Wilcox. I am sure she will lead the WLGA with the utmost professionalism and expertise in the years ahead.

“This is a very significant moment for the WLGA which today sees the election of its first female leader since the body was created in 1996.

“While it is clear we still have some way to go before our councils are fully reflective of the people they serve, it is encouraging to see women leading Anglesey, Ceredigion and Powys councils as well as Newport.

“We also now have a new generation of councillors in Wales – all of whom will bring new ideas, different ways of doing things and a fresh perspective.

“I hope to continue the constructive working relationship I’ve had with the WLGA since I took up this post last year. 

“I have been encouraged by a willingness to engage on areas such as local government reform and have been pleased with the positive progress we’ve made.

“It is vital that we continue to make progress on reforming local government and I look forward to working with Cllr Wilcox and the leadership of the WLGA on the serious and credible set of proposals that the Welsh Government has put forwards.”

As part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to raise Wales’ global profile as a first-class place to do business, it is supporting nine producers to visit Milan from the 24-28 June. 

This follows Italian interest in some of these products during the recent TasteWales event organised by the Welsh Government, which showcased over 800 Welsh food and drink products to buyers from all over the world. 

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:

“We are extremely proud of our high-quality food and drink and recognise the enormous value it brings to our economy. Food and drink is a priority sector for the Welsh Government and this is why we have set an ambitious target to grow the sector by 30% by 2020. 

“In light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, it is now more important than ever we promote the very best the food and drink industry has to offer and continue to make an impact in global markets. I am delighted we are supporting this group of producers to go to Milan and follow up on the exciting leads made with Italian buyers during our successful TasteWales event.”

The producers range from cereals, preserves and tea, to free-from foods and brewing companies. 

Italy is one of the biggest markets for gluten-free products in Europe and craft beer producers; Evan-Evans and Samosa Co will be joining the trade mission to promote their gluten-free options.

The organic market is also growing significantly in Italy and Pembrokeshire based company, Daioni Organic, will be in Milan to take advantage of these growth opportunities. 

During the four day visit the companies will have an opportunity to showcase products to selected buyers and develop new business through a series of market briefings, store visits, and meet the buyer/showcasing.

The producers attending the trade visit are:

Daioni Organic, Deeside Cereals, Evan-Evans Group, Sims Food – Samosa Co, Baa Brewing, Clarks, Lurville Delight, Radnor Preserves.

Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford today announced that the Welsh Government was looking for two members to join a panel co-chaired by former Assembly Members, Gwenda Thomas and Rhodri Glyn-Thomas. 

The co-chairs will joined by another former Assembly Member, William Graham, and Powys councillor, Kathryn Silk.

The Welsh Government is seeking expressions of interest from clerks of community councils and those working directly with communities – whether in the public, voluntary or private sectors.

The review is part of the Welsh Government’s broader plans to reform local government and aims to ensure that the most local level of government works well and delivers results.

Panel members will be asked to look at the potential role of community councils; define the most appropriate model/structure of local government to effectively deliver this role; and consider how this model could be applied across Wales.

Announcing details of the review today, the Cabinet Secretary said: 

“We should never underestimate the difference that good community councils can make. They are often the closest to the people they serve and, with that kind of insight, are well placed to deliver services for the local area. 

“However, while there are some very good community councils across Wales, their size, responsibilities and community involvement can vary. 

“That’s why we need an honest debate about what the future role of Community Councils might look like and how we can put in place a consistent structure that serves all of our communities well.

“We have representation on the panel from all the main political parties in local government in Wales and there will also be extensive political engagement as part of the panel’s work.

“We now need two extra members who can bring their own experience to bear on the work of the panel. We would encourage anyone with a strong community-based background to apply.”

The evidence-based and inclusive review of Community Councils is expected to start in July and take a year. All relevant stakeholders will be invited to contribute including, but not limited to, community and town councils, principal councils and community and third sector groups.

“A year on from the EU referendum it is becoming increasingly clear that it will be impossible to both negotiate a withdrawal agreement and put in place the basis for a future relationship with the EU within 2 years,” 

Mr Jones said. 

“Therefore the priority in negotiations with the EU must now be on agreeing transitional arrangements to come into effect in April 2019. This will be vital in helping reduce the uncertainty around Brexit, which is damaging to the economy.” 

Despite an eventful and often challenging year, the Welsh Government’s Brexit position has remained clear and consistent from the day immediately after the referendum; that the result must be respected and the economy must come first. 

The First Minister said: 

“Our 6 point plan was greeted with raised eyebrows when we proposed it the morning after the referendum, but it has stood the test of time and has formed the basis for our white paper, Securing Wales’ Future. 

“Our balanced and coherent approach to leaving the EU, which puts economic interests at the heart of the agenda, is the closest thing the UK has to a realistic negotiating position, which meets the needs of all regions of the UK.” 

Looking back at the past 12 months, the First Minister spoke about the Welsh Government’s achievements in their Brexit approach – from convening an exceptional meeting of the British Irish Council in July last year, launching our white paper – Securing Wales’ Future and the subsequent policy paper on Brexit and Devolution, establishing the European Advisory Group and the Agriculture and Environment Roundtable Group, developing the Business Confidence Plan, and also seeking assurances from the UK Government that our departure from the EU will not negatively impact on our NHS and universities. 

The First Minister added: 

“It is clear our white paper has influenced the UK government’s approach in important areas such as upholding existing employment rights and the crucial importance of transitional arrangements. We have also secured guarantees from the UK government that they will replace the EU funding Wales would have received up to 2020. 

“The uncertainty and instability the UK government has allowed to develop over the past year is now being compounded by the ongoing chaos around the Prime Minister. With no mandate, no clear negotiating strategy and a cabinet riven with disagreement over how we should approach Brexit, the UK government must prioritise transitional arrangements to ensure that the Britain’s interests are best served.”

The NDLE brings together educators from across Wales to identify and share examples of good digital practice currently taking place in schools and colleges across Wales.

Changes to the Welsh curriculum mean digital skills are now developed and taught through all parts of a pupil’s schooling and not just isolated to specific ICT or computer science classes.

The Cabinet Secretary said this new approach means more than just using computers and she wants to equip pupils with the digital skills necessary to succeed in the modern world.

Kirsty Williams said, “I am determined to support learners in Wales so that not only are they competent users of technology, but that they become creative authors of technology also.

“I am clear we need to help both teachers and learners develop the skills and confidence to navigate this new world and make good use of the opportunities it provides.

“I am delighted to be here to celebrate the work of our finest practitioners and hope we can all learn something from the very best and brightest in our profession.”

The theme for NDLE 2017 is ‘Creative approaches to implementing the Digital Competence Framework’ building on the introduction of the Digital Competence Framework on 21 September 2016.

The Digital Competence Framework (DCF) was developed by Pioneer schools supported by external expertise and Welsh Government staff. At the beginning of this school year, the Digital Competence Framework was made available to schools in Wales, and this is the first element of the new curriculum to be introduced in Wales. 

The Cabinet Secretary was keen to praise the work of all schools in integrating the DCF and explained how her office had been inundated with positive comments, from the UK and around the world, about Wales’ commitment to and ambition for digital skills

This year’s National Digital Learning Awards recognises the best digital practice in four categories, and the winners for each of those categories were as follows:

• Digital Project Award – awarded jointly to Year 2 pupils at Cadoxton Primary School, Barry for their project ‘Challenging Pioneers’, and Ysgol Bro Banw, Ammanford, for their project ‘The Superheroes’.
• Online Safety Award – also Ysgol Bro Banw, for their project Developing Digital Competence through flip teaching.
• Hwb Community Resource Award – Alexandra Roe from Coedcae School, Llanelli, for the WJEC RS Judaism Playlist.
• National Digital Learning Council’s Pupil Award – Phillipstown Primary in New Tredegar, for Techno Tribe Teaches.