Swansea's Third Sector :: Consultations

Consultations

Current Consultations on the WCVA website can be found by clicking here.

Current Welsh Assembly Government Consultations can be found by clicking here.

Other Consultations of relevance to the Third Sector:

Welsh Assembly Government - Child Minding and Day Care Regulations

The Children & Families (Wales) Measure received Privy Council approval on 10 February 2010. It provides an opportunity to use powers devolved under the Government of Wales Act 2006 to update existing child minding and day care legislation. This will make the law in these important areas more accessible and easier to understand.

Part 2 (Regulation of Childminding and Day Care) of the Measure does not radically change current childcare registration and inspection arrangements. It provides, however, the opportunity to consolidate and improve existing childminding and day care regulations.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 6th September 2010

Home Office - Alcohol Licensing Consultation

We've launched a consultation to ask for your opinions on government plans to overhaul the current licensing regime, to give more power to local authorities and police to help them fight alcohol-related crime.

We want to hear from everyone who will be affected by the changes, including members of the public who drink alcohol; those who have been affected by alcohol-related crime; those who work in pubs, clubs, supermarkets and shops; criminal justice agencies; licensing authorities; and trade associations representing those who produce and sell alcohol.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 8th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Welsh Assembly Government | Care Standards Act 2000 - Review of Regulations and National Minimum Standards (NMS) for Independent Healthcare

This consultation sets out proposals to:

Revise the current statements of national minimum standards (NMS) and align future standards with the standards for NHS services: Doing Well, Doing Better: Standards for Health Services in Wales
Review and consolidate amendments to the regulations by making new regulations
Remove certain independent healthcare services from regulation by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW)
Ensure clarity about certain regulations and how they apply to independent healthcare, and
Update technical aspects, such as references to relevant legislation.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 9th September 2010

Welsh Assembly Government - Delivering digital inclusion - A strategic framework for Wales

Through this Framework, the Welsh Assembly Government makes clear that it intends to bring clear strategic leadership, but recognises that progress can only be made through the concerted efforts of the private, third, and public sectors, and cannot be delivered by the Welsh Assembly Government alone. It emphasises the need for a wide range of stakeholders to ‘buy in’ to the vision of achieving digital inclusion.

The Framework explains the considerable benefits, individually and collectively, of people going online. It also identifies the key groups of excluded people, the barriers they face and what steps can be taken to start addressing the issues.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 9th September 2010

Welsh Assembly Government - Updated replacement for the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2004

This will add two new categories to the list of persons who are not qualified teachers but who may carry out 'specified work' (i.e. teach) in maintained schools. These include trainees on initial teacher training courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status, and qualified further education teachers delivering courses within the local curriculum under the Learning and Skills Measure 2009 in maintained schools.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 10th September 2010

Equality and Human Rights Commission - Disability Related Harassment Inquiry Call for Evidence

If you have been harassed because of your disability, or someone close to you has been affected, we want to hear about your experience. We want to hear from people who are Deaf or disabled, including those with mental health conditions and long term health conditions, as well as their family, friends or associates. We want to know what happened and what public authorities and public transport operators did – or didn’t do – to help.

Your experiences – positive or negative – will help the Commission to show what police, social services, schools, bus companies and other agencies can do to put an end to the harassment of disabled people in public places and behind closed doors. If you’re not sure what to tell us, we have a questionnaire to help get you started.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 10th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Consultation on the animal by-products (enforcement) (Wales) regulations 2011

The proposed Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Wales) 2011 continue to regulate the use of Animal by products (ABPs) for example as:

Feed (including pet food),
Fertiliser
Or for technical products

It lays down rules for their transformation through composting and biogas and their disposal via rendering and incineration. It also continues to prevent catering waste from being fed to livestock.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 10th September 2010.

National Assembly for Wales - Follow up on inquiry into Parenting in Wales and the delivery of the Parenting Action Plan

The Children and Young People Committee is reviewing the implementation of the recommendations made in its ‘Parenting in Wales and the delivery of the Parenting Action Plan’ Report which was published in May 2009.

As part of this review we are writing to those who submitted both oral and written evidence to the original inquiry to invite further evidence about the developments in parenting in Wales and what has been done to move forward the parenting agenda.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 10th September 2010.

Low Pay Commission - Consultation on the National Minimum Wage

The Government has asked the Low Pay Commission to prepare and submit a further report on the National Minimum Wage by the end of February 2011. I am writing to invite you to submit evidence to our consultation.

This year’s terms of reference ask us to monitor, evaluate and review the impact of the minimum wage and to make recommendations on the rates for October 2011. In doing so we have been asked to look at the effect on pay, employment and competitiveness in the low-paying sectors, particularly the competitiveness of small firms, and at how the minimum wage affects different groups of workers.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 10th September 2010.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service - Public Consultation – Tell us what you think

As in previous years, the Authority wishes to involve as many people as possible in the process of determining how to fulfil its general duty to improve, and is eager to receive your views on this and your comments about the seven specific improvement objectives that the Authority is proposing. These are all explained in the document and further information is also available from the Authority's website - http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 10th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Consultation on the Draft Municipal Sector Plan - Part 1

The Municipal Sector Plan proposes how this sector can contribute to meeting the outcomes and milestones set in Towards Zero Waste.
The approach being followed for Part 1 of the Municipal Sector Plan is to take forward the following four key areas:

Waste prevention – to reinforce the important role of local authorities engaging with householders and communities to reduce the amount of waste put out for collection. This will help us to meet environmental outcomes, increase opportunities for enhancing social wellbeing through waste reuse and reduce the costs of waste collection and management.
Preparing for reuse – to ensure that more waste collected by local authorities is “prepared for reuse”. This will help meet environmental outcomes and increase opportunities for enhancing social wellbeing.
Recycling collection service delivery improvements – to deliver sustainable development outcomes in a cost effective way.
Sustainable treatment and disposal – to deliver sustainable treatment and disposal of municipal waste in a cost effective way.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 13th September 2010

Welsh Assembly Government - Children And Young People’s Plans Interim Guidance 2011-14

Health, social care and well-being strategies and children and young people’s plans are different statutory plans. Nevertheless the two are linked. Each local authority and each Local Health Board is under a statutory duty to jointly formulate and implement a health, social care and well-being strategy for the public in the local authority’s area. Each local authority is under a statutory duty to publish a children and young people's plan (CYPP) setting out the authority’s strategy for discharging its functions in relation to children and young persons.

Local bodies have long expressed a desire to see the arrangements for the two plans better aligned, consolidated into a single plan or merged with the Community Strategy. For the last round some common wording was included in the two sets of guidance but the requests for even closer alignment have persisted. The two present draft sets of guidance aim to move further towards alignment and comments are requested in this consultation on how far this has been achieved. It is therefore important that anyone who responds considers both documents and replies to the questions with that in mind.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 14th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Consultation on an amendment to The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2007 - beak trimming of laying hens

The Welsh Assembly Government proposal to amend The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2007 to allow beak trimming of laying hens to continue after the 1st January 2011. The amendment proposed would allow routine beak trimming of laying hens using infra-red only. Without the amendment, beak trimming of laying hens by all methods will be banned after the 31st December 2010.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 15th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Health Social Care and Well-being Strategy Guidance 2010

Health Social Care and Well Being Strategies focus on how Local Health Boards (LHBs) and Local Authorities can improve the health and well-being of their population. The consultation is to ensure that the relationship between plans and strategies is clear.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 14th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Council Tax and Students - proposed amendments to the Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992

We are proposing, jointly with the Department for Communities and Local Government in England, to allow persons who are resident in the UK and undertaking a full-time course of education with an educational establishment situated in any Member State of the European Union to be treated as students for council tax purposes.

Your responses are invited to the questions in the consultation document.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 14th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Further stakeholder engagement on a Future Exemptions Regime under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 and the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2011

A consultation in summer 2009 raised questions on some key technical aspects of the proposed framework. Because of this, the UK Government and Devolved Administrations want further views from stakeholders. We intend to revise the proposals across the UK to provide a way to meet modern requirements for the regulation of low risk radioactive materials and wastes.

We will consider the responses when finalising the proposed exemptions regime. In England and Wales, it is proposed that the outcome of the review, will be incorporated directly into the Environmental Permitting Regulations which are planned to come into force in April 2011. We aim to introduce a new exemptions regime that is proportionate, legally robust, risk informed, flexible and transparent. At the same time it will maintain the current level of protection for human health and the environment that exists. We want to hear whether you consider that this has been achieved.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 14th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Draft national standards for children with cancer

Over recent months work has been undertaken by the CSCG to draft a set of National Standards for Children with Cancer. The standards are now being released in draft form for a period of consultation. This will run from Friday 16th July, 2010 to Friday 16th September, 2010.

We invite you to study the standards during this consultation period, and make any comments you feel appropriate using the template comments form. Only comments received using this form will be able to be processed.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 16th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government / DEFRA - Stage Two: Consultation on the draft regulations transposing the revised EU Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) into law in England and Wales

The consultation is Stage Two of a joint consultation exercise by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
In the Stage One consultation we invited views on key parts of the rWFD to inform policy decisions on how these provisions should be implemented. It closed on 9 October 2009. Details of that consultation can be found under related links.

We have considered the responses to that consultation and now we ask you to comment on the draft Regulations and draft guidance.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 16th September 2010

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - Consultation on the future of the right to request time to train policy

Consultation seeking views about the future of the ‘right to request time to train’ legislation and whether the right should be repealed, retained for large organisations or extended to small and medium sized organisations as planned.

The legal right to allow workers in businesses with more than 250 employees, to request time to take up relevant training came into effect from 6 April this year.

The Government has announced a review of all regulations in a bid to reduce burdens on business. This consultation aims to gather opinions on the right to request time to train and will feed in to the review.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 15th September 2010.

National Assembly for Wales - Inquiry into Rural Tourism in Wales

The Rural Development Sub-Committee is undertaking an inquiry into Rural Tourism in Wales.

The aim of the Committee’s inquiry is twofold: relevant to assess the effectiveness and impact of the various Welsh Government strategies to rural tourism and to make recommendations to the Welsh Government and any other appropriate bodies.

The Committee is keen to hear the views of as many people with an interest in the subject as possible and would like to invite you to submit a written response to the questions in the attached annex. Please feel free to answer all the questions, or only those that are relevant to your experience.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 17th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Developing a modern regulatory framework for Housing Associations in Wales; i) 3rd Phase Consultation – an approach to Regulatory Assessment and Performance Judgements

We have sought views widely on the period of consultation for this document. There was strong support for a short consultation. This consultation will therefore be 8 weeks long.

Our initial consultation in 2009 considered the core principles and key elements of a new regulatory approach for Housing Associations in Wales.

Section two of the consultation document outlines our overall planned approach to Regulatory Assessment and the underlying rationale.

Section three describes the preferred approach to Housing Association Regulatory Assessment in Wales (for consultation).

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 17th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Local authority byelaws in Wales - Procedures for making, confirming and enforcing bylaws

A byelaw is a law which is made by a body, such as a local authority, under an enabling power established by an Act of Parliament. The byelaws considered in this consultation are those which comply with section 236 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The main purpose of this consultation paper is to find out what your views are on a simplified process for making, confirming and enforcing byelaws. The cornerstone of this simplification is removing the requirement, in certain instances, for confirmation by the Welsh Ministers. This removal will give local authorities greater ownership over the whole process but will also mean that the assessment of need for a byelaw as well as the developmental process will need to be more transparent and inclusive.

The Paper also includes proposals for fixed penalty notices to be the new form of enforcement where appropriate.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 17th September 2010

Welsh Affairs Committee - Inquiry on the Implication for Wales of the Government's Proposals for Constitutional Reform

The Welsh Affairs Committee seeks your views on the Government’s proposals for reducing the number of Welsh parliamentary constituencies and for holding a referendum on changing the electoral system on 5 May 2011, the same day as elections to the Welsh Assembly will be held.

The Welsh Affairs Committee decided at its meeting on 27 July to scrutinise the impact of the Government’s proposed legislation on Wales:

To reduce the size of the House of Commons, and to equalise the size of parliamentary constituencies; and
To hold a national referendum on using the alternative vote system at UK general elections on the same day as elections are due to be held to the Welsh Assembly.

The Committee would welcome views in writing on these matters and is keen to hear from the general public as well as academics and other commentators.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 17th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Consultation on Private Fostering (Disqualification) (Wales) Regulations 2010

The Disqualification from Caring for Children (Wales) Regulations 2004 applied to private fostering as well as child minding and day care. Separate regulations have now been made in relation to the latter, it therefore seemed reasonable to draft separate disqualification regulations for private fostering which will now include the following categories to be considered in disqualifying someone from privately fostering a child under the Children Act 1989:
• the addition of overseas offences
• the inclusion of repealed statutory offences

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 17th September 2010.

UK Border Agency - Limits on non-EU economic migration (June to September 2010)

The government believes that Britain can benefit from migration, but not uncontrolled migration. It wants to continue to attract the brightest and the best people to the UK, but with control on the numbers coming here. Unlimited migration places unacceptable pressure on public services, school places, and the provision of housing, causing problems for certain local communities.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on how a limit on immigration should work. This includes questions about the coverage of limits as well as the mechanics of how they will work in practice. The consultation also recognises the need to attract more high net worth migrants to the UK through the routes for investors and entrepreneurs, and asks for views on how that can be achieved.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 17th September 2010.

HM Revenue & Customs - Scale of costs in successful court actions for debt in England and Wales

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has consulted twice on the principle of seeking payment of costs from a debtor where judgment is entered in the civil courts in England and Wales. Both consultations received broad support and HMRC will now be seeking an amendment to the Civil Procedure Rules to permit such costs to apply. This paper builds on those consultations and seeks views on whether the proposed scale of costs set out below is a proportionate response to the problem HMRC identifies below and whether it should therefore be adopted.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 23rd September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Council Tax and Business Rates: Recovery of Costs of Enforcement

We are proposing amending the amount that may be charged to debtors at the following stages of debt recovery:

Initial summons;
Granting of a Liability Order;
Following application for committal; and
Following application for an arrest warrant.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 23rd September 2010

General Medical Council - Call for evidence on the role of doctors in child protection

GMC are asking all those involved in child protection, or who have knowledge and experience about the issues, to submit evidence about doctors' roles and responsibilities in child protection. This includes doctors from all areas of practice, health professionals, social workers, police, lawyers, children and young people and their families and carers.

The evidence will inform new GMC guidance for all doctors involved in child protection work. The new guidance will help doctors to meet the standards of professional conduct and performance that is expected of them when they work in this complex and challenging area. We expect to issue this new guidance at the end of 2011.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 24th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government/DEFRA - Consultation on the draft Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011

These Regulations provide a common environmental permitting framework for various industrial, intensive farming, waste, water and groundwater discharge activities and radioactive substances regulation. The aim is to reduce the administrative burden of compliance without compromising environmental standards.

This consultation paper proposes amendments to the 2010 Regulations, to take effect from 6 April 2011. The proposed amendments are set out in Annex I.

The proposals cover changes to certain administrative procedures and technical details for environmental permits and exempt waste operations. They also involve the proposed introduction of new civil sanctions powers for the Environment Agency for offences under the 2010 Regulations.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 24th September 2010.

National Assembly for Wales - Inquiry into the Accessibility of arts and cultural activities in Wales

To conduct an inquiry into the accessibility of arts and cultural activities in Wales, examining the geographic spread of venues, the activities that take place in those centres, and issues of access and funding. In particular, the Committee will look into the following:

The impact of the Welsh Government’s investment in museums, libraries and archives in the context of providing access to cultural activities;
The impact of the Arts Council for Wales’s Investment Review, published in June 2010, on all cultural activities and venues in Wales;
The possible impact of the Welsh Government’s budget for 2011-12 on all cultural activities and venues in Wales;
The geographic spread of venues and activities and how access is promoted across Wales;
The demographic variation in levels of attendance and participation, particularly in the context of equality, diversity and inclusion;
The key role played by local authorities in providing access to arts and cultural activities.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 24th September 2010.

National Assembly for Wales - Drafting Welsh Government Measures: Lessons from the first three years

The National Assembly for Wales’ Constitutional Affairs Committee has agreed to undertake a short Inquiry after the summer recess into the drafting of Welsh Government Measures and any lessons that can be learned from the experience of the first three years of the Third Assembly.

Since May 2007 the National Assembly for Wales has passed eleven Measures using powers conferred by Part 3 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, eight of which were Welsh Government legislation. A further six Welsh Government Measures have been published and are currently being considered by the National Assembly.

The Committee has agreed to look into what, if any, issues of general significance have arisen or could arise from the way in which these Measures have been drafted. In particular, the Committee will be looking at whether there any lessons from the experience so far that might be applied to how Measures are drafted in future.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 24th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Food for Wales, Food from Wales 2010:2020 - Consultation on a Food Strategy for Wales

Food for Wales, food from Wales sets out a wide ranging vision of the place of food in Wales, with a view to develop a clear direction for the Welsh food industry to grow in a sustainable and profitable manner over the next 10 years. It is founded on principles of sustainable development, which include economic, social and environmental aspects of the production and consumption of food.

It takes into consideration cross-cutting issues such as health, food culture and education, food security, environmental sustainability and community development to provide the basis for an integrated approach to food policy in Wales. Such an integrated approach is also intended to build resilience in the food system, to encourage a stronger food economy in Wales and, hence, to enhance the capabilities and capacities of food businesses to compete effectively both at home and abroad.

There are two documents for you to consider:

Document 1: Consultation Document - provides a summary of the Strategy, and includes the questions we would like you to consider as part of the consultation process.
Document 2: Food for Wales food from Wales – is the proposed Food Strategy for Wales.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 28th September 2010

National Assembly for Wales - Inquiry into Biodiversity in Wales

The Assembly’s Sustainability Committee is conducting an inquiry into biodiversity in Wales. The terms of reference for the inquiry are:
Wales has missed both its own and the EU’s biodiversity targets for 2010. The inquiry aims to stimulate a public debate about the targets by addressing the issues raised by the answers to the question:

Why did Wales fail to achieve the 2010 targets for halting biodiversity loss and what changes of approach are needed to ensure greater progress in the future?

What delivery mechanisms were in place to achieve the 2010 targets?
Why did these fail to deliver?
Is the current approach to dealing with climate change mitigation and adaptation in Wales sufficiently integrated with policies for biodiversity?
What examples of good practice are there elsewhere in the UK and internationally that Wales can learn from?
What are the implications of emerging international targets for 2020 and beyond?

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 24th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Family Justice Review

The Deputy Minister for Social Services has issued a Written Ministerial Statement to accompany the launch of the Family Justice Review Call for Evidence. The Panel wishes to hear from children, families, professionals and representative groups involved in the family justice system.

The Statement (including Terms of Reference for the Review) and Call for Evidence are attached. Welsh language versions of these documents are available on request.

The Panel's preference is for online responses for ease of analysis. Responses should be submitted to Ministry of Justice via an online questionnaire at http://www.justice.gov.uk/reviews/family-justice-intro.htm or by email to familyjusticereview@justice.gsi.gov.uk by Thursday 30th September 2010.

Learning Disability Wales - Welsh Language Scheme

This voluntary scheme was prepared in line with the Welsh Language Board’s Guidance under the Welsh Language Act 1993. This Welsh Language Scheme was approved by the Welsh Language Board.

Learning Disability Wales supports the equal status of Welsh and English within Wales and aims to be inclusive in our activities by providing services in Welsh and English.
This scheme aims to support Learning Disability Wales’s mission to create a Wales that values every child and adult with a learning disability by ensuring equality of access to our services and by encouraging our members and partners to adopt a similar approach.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 30th September 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Extending eligibility to children under the age of 3 with specific medical conditions and people with severe disabilities in both arms

This consultation is about seeking views on two early proposals that seek to extend the Blue Badge Scheme to:

1. children under the age of 3 with specific medical conditions; and
2. to people with severe disabilities in both arms who drive a vehicle and are unable to operate or have difficulty in operating parking meters or pay and display equipment.

We are consulting on proposals to extend the Blue Badge Scheme to children under the age of 3 with specific medical conditions which means that they:

must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty and/or
need to be kept near a vehicle at all times, so that they can, if necessary, be treated in the vehicle, or quickly driven to a place where they can be treated, such as a hospital.

We are also consulting on proposals to extend the Blue Badge Scheme to people with severe disabilities in both arms who drive a vehicle and are unable to operate or have difficulty in operating parking meters or pay and display equipment.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 30th September 2010

General Dental Council - Principles of ethical advertising

Our main purpose is to protect patients and a key aspect of this is ensuring that all information or publicity material regarding dental services is legal, decent, honest and truthful.
When placing advertisements for services they are providing, registrants must ensure that they adhere to the Council’s ethical guidance Standards for Dental Professionals.
Three of the most relevant principles of the guidance in relation to advertising are:

• 1.3 Work within your knowledge, professional competence and physical abilities
• 1.10 Do not make any claims which could mislead patients
• 6.1 Justify the trust that your patients, the public and your colleagues have in you by always acting honestly and fairly

We are consulting on a proposed new guidance booklet for registrants which will provide them with more detailed information on what is expected of them regarding advertising.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 1st October 2010

Welsh Language Board - Contracting out public service contracts and the welsh language

This advice is aimed at assisting bodies with a Welsh language scheme to ensure that contractors delivering a public service on their behalf are able to deliver such a service in compliance with the requirements of the Welsh Language Act 1993. This advice seeks to balance such requirements against the numerous other factors which must be considered when awarding a contract, whilst providing reassurance on the legality of the recommendations contained in this document.

This advice focuses predominantly on public sector requirements when putting a contract for services or goods out to tender. The public sector is required to protect or achieve numerous legal obligations in conducting a tender process and awarding the resulting contract; some international, some European and some domestic. These can at times create competing priorities all of which must be balanced within the process to ensure that the differing levels of legal precedence are respected. The advice also gives consideration to factors or differences which may specifically affect regulated utility providers.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 1st October 2010

National Assembly for Wales - Proposed Local Government (Wales) Measure

The key provisions of the proposed Measure are to:

Broaden and increase participation in local government by permitting steps which will help remove barriers and disincentives to standing for election to local councils
Enable the review and improvement of the governance structures introduced through the Local Government Act 2000 so that they better suit the circumstances of local government in Wales (Parts 3 -4);
Enhance the role of non-executive (“backbench”) local authority councillors in the scrutiny of local services (Parts 5 - 6);
Develop and strengthen the role of community councils in Wales,
Including enabling them to deliver a wider range of services and actions locally as well as to increase the effectiveness of their representational role and their ability to work in partnership with other bodies (Part 7);
Reform the system for setting allowances for councillors (Part 8);
Allow the Welsh Ministers to issue statutory guidance on collaboration between local authorities, and between them and other bodies (Part 9)”.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 1st October 2010

Welsh Assembly Government - Planning Policy Wales: Section 12.8 Planning for Renewable Energy

We are revising planning policy on renewable energy to ensure that the planning system is capable of helping to deliver our energy aspirations. These aspirations were set out in:

A Low Carbon Revolution Wales’ Energy Policy Statement, published in March 2010; and
The Cabinet Written Statement on the future direction of planning for renewable energy in Wales, published on June 8th 2010.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 8th October 2010.

Ministry of Justice - Call for Evidence on the data protection legislative framework

The Government has issued a Call for Evidence on current data protection law to help inform the UK’s position on negotiations for a new EU data protection instrument, which are expected to start in early 2011.

At the same time as launching this Call for Evidence, the Government has published a provisional post implementation review impact assessment of the Data Protection Act 1998, on which we would also welcome comments. This impact assessment complements the Call for Evidence and publication of a full impact assessment is planned for the end of 2010.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 6th October 2010.

Care Council for Wales - Consultation on the Care Council for Wales revised Welsh Language Scheme

The Scheme has been prepared in accordance with Sections 12 to 14 of the Welsh Language Act, and the guidelines issued by the Welsh Language Board under Section 9 of the Act. It supersedes the previous version implemented from 3 September 2003.

The Care Council has adopted the statutory principle that in the conduct of its public business in Wales, it will treat the Welsh and English languages on a basis of equality. This Scheme sets out how the Care Council will give effect to this principle in its services and activities. Please see a copy of the updated Welsh Language Scheme.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 8th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management: Development of a National Strategy for Wales

This consultation is the first step in producing a National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales. It poses questions about the objectives we should set, the actions we should take and the way we should fund flood and coastal erosion risk management. It also includes information on the roles and responsibilities of the Risk Management Authorities.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 8th October 2010.

National Assembly for Wales - Committee Inquiry into the impact of Welsh Government policy on the accessibility of transport services for disabled people in Wales

The Committee aims to scrutinise the impact of Welsh Government policy and actions in relation to the accessibility of transport for disabled people in Wales.
In order to do this the inquiry will consider the following:

Issues of particular concern to disabled people who use, or want to use, transport services;
The adequacy of the National Transport Plan and its associated Equality Action Plan as a means of improving the accessibility of transport in Wales;
The impact of Welsh Government guidance on Regional Transport Plans as a means to improve accessibility of transport in Wales;
The impact of Welsh Government policy on the integration of transport services in relation to the needs and concerns of disabled people

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 8th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - UK Marine Policy Statement: A draft for consultation

The Marine Policy Statement (MPS) is the framework for preparing Marine Plans and taking decisions that affect the marine environment. It will also set the direction for new marine licensing and other authorisation systems.

The MPS will apply to all UK waters. The MPS sets out our collective ambition for the policies that shape the management and use of our marine resources. It will create the framework for consistent and evidence-based marine planning and decision making, and will contribute to the sustainable development of the UK marine area.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 13th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Health Social Care and Well-being Strategy Guidance 2010

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 13th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Learning for children and young people in a youth custody setting in Wales-Statutory guidance

The main purpose of those provisions of the Act is to mirror as far as is reasonably practicable the learning arrangements for children and young people in custody with mainstream learning provision in the community.

We seek your views on this guidance because inevitably, supporting the learning of a group of children and young people of;

Different ages,
Varying needs, and
Within the constraints of a secure environment, is challenging.

We recognise this. We want to ensure that learning in custody is aligned as closely as possible with learning in the mainstream sector, whilst at the same time tailoring it to meet the needs of this particular group of children and young people.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 15th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Local Development Orders

LDOs are an extension of permitted development rights, where for specific developments, planning permission is not required. The LDO could relate to all land in a local planning authority area or only to a part of that land including specific sites. This power is discretionary and intended to help speed up the planning system. LDOs will, in effect, grant permission for the development to which they relate and remove the need for planning application and associated application fees.

It is proposed that the content of LDOs would be decided upon locally in response to local circumstances. For example, a local planning authority may wish to make a LDO to assist in the regeneration of an employment area or industrial estate. An LDO can guide development in areas where significant change is anticipated. It could also encourage the provision of housing on a particular site.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 29th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Consultation on Draft National Minimum Standards for Community Equipment Services Wales 2010

The provision of community equipment will often result in an individual being able to cope independently without the need for other services. The provision of community equipment also contributes to the education and development of children with disabilities.

A considerable amount of work has been undertaken to improve community equipment services over the past 5 years. Despite these developments further work is required to ensure that all categories of equipment are professionally managed.

The National Minimum Standards have been developed to consolidate these improvements and contribute to safer more effective services by clarifying the responsibilities of providers, commissioners and clinicians.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 29th October 2010.

The Charity Commission - Equality impact assessment for online services

As a public body the Charity Commission has statutory duties to produce equality schemes for race, disability and gender. As anti-discrimination law has evolved over recent years we have seen the introduction of laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in respect of age, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion and belief. EQIAs are one of the ways in which the Charity Commission ensures that it meets these obligations.

The Charity Commission already provides an online option for a number of its services and the range and sophistication of our online offer continues to increase. At the moment more traditional methods of using a particular service are still available, for example a paper based form.

The Commission is now seeking to move to a position where the bulk of our interactions with customers are done online. This means that some traditional hard copy methods of doing business will be phased out. A move to online services has a number of benefits for the customer, the Commission, and the environment. However, the increasing use of online options and the withdrawal of some existing methods of operating will have an impact on our customers. The main focus of this EQIA is on charity trustees and employees and their professional advisers who use our services.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 29th October 2010.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport - Consultation on the change to policy direction for the Big Lottery Fund

This consultation document seeks views on the proposed wording of a new policy direction for the Big Lottery Fund for them to take into account when they make their funding decisions on Lottery grants.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 29th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Care Standards Act 2000: The Adult Placement Scheme Regulatory and National Minimum Standards Framework

Welsh Ministers remain committed to ensuring that the safeguarding of vulnerable people arrangements in the adult placement scheme regulatory and national minimum standards framework continue to be appropriate and robust.

Following an incident in which the children of an adult placement carer were abused by a person who had been placed with them, the Deputy Minister set up the Adult Placement Task and Finish Group. They were to consider and report on whether to amend the Care Standards Act 2004 Adult Placement Regulatory and National Minimum Standards regime.

This would provide improved protection for its service users and the adult placement carers and their families. The Group did not make any recommendations for changes to the existing regime as a direct consequence of the incident of abuse. However, they did conclude that in the broader context of the protection of vulnerable adults, the
regulations and national minimum standards could be furthered strengthened.

The Deputy Minister shared this view and the Group’s recommended changes are now subject to consultation.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 2nd November 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Consultation on Tuberculosis in non-bovines

Bovine TB is an infectious disease that affects the health and welfare of cattle in Wales and other parts of the UK. It threatens the dairy and beef industry in Wales. We have set up a comprehensive TB Eradication Programme aimed at tackling all sources of the infection.

The arrangements proposed in the consultation would impose duties, obligations and responsibilities on the keepers of these animals. This would be done by largely replicating the arrangements already in place for bovine animals through secondary legislation. The proposed policy will be delivered by means of the draft Order annexed to the consultation entitled the Tuberculosis (No 2) (Wales) Order 2010. The measures provided for by the Order are consistent with the objective of the Wales TB Eradication Programme which aims to address all sources of infection, including in non-bovine animals.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 11th November 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Objections to statutory proposals for school organisation

The Welsh Ministers are considering reducing the time available for individuals to object to published proposals which involve school organisation. The Welsh Ministers are also considering reducing the time available for local authorities to refer onwards to the Welsh Ministers objections local authorities receive at the end of the objection period. The Welsh Ministers also wish to ensure that the objection period takes place mainly within school term time.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 5th November 2010.

Charity Commission - Equality impact assessment for online services - introduction to consultation

A move to online services has a number of benefits for the customer, the Commission, and the environment. However, the increasing use of online options and the withdrawal of some existing methods of operating will have an impact on our customers.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 29th October 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Introducing Standard Information Requirements for Planning Applications in Wales

We are proposing to make the Standard Application Form mandatory. It should then be clearer to the applicants what information is required for applications for planning permission, listed building and conservation area consents.

Following changes to legislation to come into force in 2010/2011, we are proposing to issue:

a new circular with advice for local planning authorities; and
a best practice guide for a wider audience including applicants.

We are seeking the views on whether the proposed approach is appropriate and comments on the draft guidance documents.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 12th November 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Draft List of Statutory and Non-statutory Consultees in the Planning Application Process

We wish to develop a single comprehensive list of all nationally defined consultees in the planning application process in Wales. This draft list is based on a similar exercise carried out in England between December 2009 and March 2010.
The draft list seeks to identify:

Legal (statutory) consultees in the planning application process; and
all bodies and organisations, identified in national planning policy, guidance, and Circulars who should be consulted on planning applications.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 26th November 2010.

Ministry of Justice - Call for Evidence on the European Commission's Green Paper about European Contract Law

This is a Call for Evidence about the European Commission’s Green Paper on policy options for progress towards a European Contract Law for consumers and businesses.

The Government has issued a Call for Evidence from interested parties about the impact of the European Commission’s policy proposals on individuals and organisations in the United Kingdom. The responses shall help inform the government’s response to the European Commission’s Green Paper.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 26th November 2010.

Welsh Assembly Government - Community Care Direct Payments Scheme

This consultation is about the new draft regulations and guidance incorporating the extension of direct payments to people who lack capacity. It also involves changes to the list of people who cannot participate in a direct payments arrangement.

Currently direct payments can only be made to individuals who have the capacity to consent to such an arrangement, and who are able to manage the payment (with help if necessary). In addition, a number of groups of people with, for example, mental health or substance misuse problems who are subject to requirements imposed by mental health and other legislation, are ineligible for a direct payments arrangement. Legislative changes are required to amend the current arrangements to broaden the scope of direct payments to include these groups of people.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: 10th December 2010.

Wales Millennium Centre - Wales Millennium Centre Community Consultation

Consultation Events
Thursday 23 Sept | Y Ganolfan, Porthmadog
Thursday 21 Oct | Town Hall, Llandudno
Tuesday 9 Nov | Arad Goch, Aberystwyth

Wales Millennium Centre is the National Centre for arts in Wales. The people and the communities of Wales are a huge part of our future therefore we need you to help us shape it. So, this autumn and winter we’re getting out and about, to come and see you. We want you to tell us how we’re doing but more importantly to work with us to generate ideas and discussion about future work and how we can work with you and your communities. And of course, the best ways we can keep in touch.

To view this consultation, click here. Closing date: on-going