(Title Image: Alamy via The Guardian)
Short Debates tend to be a bit whimsical and as they happen after plenary has ended are often poorly attended and not taken very seriously.
The main reason I started this site was so I could cover things from the Senedd that others don’t and that includes some these quirky, offbeat little debates about issues close to AMs’ hearts that are sometimes more interesting or topical than the main debates.
I won’t do it every week, of course – only if there’s something that makes me go, “Hmm?”
I mean, any debate that has a Kate Bush reference has to be worth writing about, right?….Right?
Proponent: Joyce Watson AM (Lab, Mid & West Wales)
Subject: “Running off that Road, Running Down that Hill’—Can Wales Hold Back the Tide of Flash Flooding?”
Summary
- The Senedd approved a backbench law to curb the use of hard surfaces in homes as a measure against flooding but it was superseded by a UK law. Senedd should look again at the issue.
- Guardian article: “Why it’s time to ban concrete in front gardens”; front gardens have been turned into parking bays which means water runs off into drainage systems which often can’t cope.
- If we continue to concrete over green space – no matter how small – it would do environmental damage.
- Mike Hedges AM (Lab, Swansea East) wanted to “highlight the importance of trees and bushes”. Trees need to be retained to prevent landslides and waterfalls during heavy rainfall.
Government Response
Environment & Rural Affairs Secretary, Lesley Griffiths (Lab, Wrexham)
- Welsh Government will continue to invest in flood defences and water management.
- Would be happy to look at extending regulations so porous surfaces have to be used to the side and rear of buildings as the regulations currently only refer to the front.
Rock and roll 24/7.
