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Vaughan Gething’s third session as first minister comes to a close.

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Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell warns against "starving" arts and culture in Wales of funding.

She says, "culture should not be the reserve of only people with lots of money, because poverty doesn't only hurt people in the pocket, it also saps the soul. More that 100 years ago, James Oppenheim wrote that,

'Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes; / Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses.'

She continues, "first minister, I wonder if I might give you this rose and if you will keep it and press it as a reminder of that vital sentiment that, no matter the pressures placed on this place or its people, the heart of Wales shall not be starved."

The first minister replies, "this government does not want to reduce funding for our cultural institutions; we want to make sure that it is genuinely accessible in terms of what we do in trying to introduce arts and culture across the opportunities for young people in every community, recognising that access to arts and culture is different, in practical terms, between different communities.

"The challenge we have, though, is having the budget envelope that we had and prioritising health and local government and then, within my then [economy] department, making choices about wanting to put more resources into apprenticeships. It's a difficult space to be in."

Conservative Samuel Kurtz draws attention to the cross-party Senedd committee report into the needs of Wales’ rural economy, which called for a focus on economic growth and greater flexibility in the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

The first minister says there are "challenges about funding" but that his government "will look seriously at the report".

"We're doing that, of course, against a backdrop where we have lost nearly £0.25 billion that would otherwise have been spent on the rural economy in Wales," says the first minister.

Recommendations proposed by the report include:

• The re-establishment of a Rural Development Board (RDB);
• The RDB to set out a definitive rural development strategy, setting objectives for infrastructure development, connectivity and rural skills and have the powers and resources to deliver it;
• Convert the planning consent system into an enabler for responsible growth:
• Review local authority local development plans (LDPs);
• More planning officers to accelerate and improve the planning process.

After describing Ysbyty Glan Clwyd as the "worst performing hospital in the worst performing health board", Conservative Gareth Davies asks when the north Denbighshire community hospital in Rhyl will be delivered.

The first minister replies that the Betsi Cadwaladr health board is currently reviewing its proposals, which "are expected to include a minor injuries unit, intermediate care beds and integrated care".

He adds that the Welsh government awaits a "robust business case".

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth raises concerns that the man brought in to lead a Welsh fire service rocked by claims of poor behaviour is himself facing allegations of harassment and discrimination.

The Welsh government sent commissioners into South Wales Fire and Rescue Service after a damning report about harassment and misogyny.

They appointed Stuart Millington, who is facing an employment tribunal, to be an interim chief fire officer.

It is understood Mr Millington has denied the allegations.

Rhun ap Iorwerth reads out the conclusion of an independent report commissioned by North Wales Fire Service into Stuart Millington.

The report said there is evidence that could support a bullying case against him, the leader of Plaid Cymru says.

Mr ap Iorwerth asks Mr Gething if he was “entirely confident that commissioners and ministers have all relevant information in order to come to a conclusion on the appropriateness of his appointment”.

Mr Gething said: “I recognise that in a previous internal investigation, whilst no disciplinary action was taken, there were points of learning for Mr Millington about his managerial style.”

In Mr ap Iorwerth’s reply he told the Senedd: “I have here a copy of the report presented to [north Wales chief fire officer] Dawn Docx on 12 October last year, an independent report commissioned by the north Wales fire service into allegations against Mr Millington.

“It concluded that there is evidence to support a prima facie case that may amount to bullying, harassment and discrimination, or harassment on the grounds of trade union activity.”

Rhun ap Iorwerth adds, "this is important to get right the leadership and the culture, not just in south Wales, but across our fire and rescue authorities. None of this takes away from the bravery and the service of all of the firefighters across the country, but the culture has to be right for everyone to have the opportunity to join and to be able to progress as they should do within the fire and rescue authority, and where that is not the case, we want to see action taken."

Vaughan Gething replies that the Welsh government will "take an interest in the forthcoming employment tribunal".

Image source, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, increases the pressure on Mr Gething for accepting £200,000 from a company run by someone twice convicted for environmental offences.

Cardiff-based Dauson Environmental Group made two donations of £100,000 to Mr Gething.

Mr Davies quotes the company's accounts stating that "the external opportunities created for the Dauson Group to succeed continue to be mainly legislative driven".

The first minister replies "I could not, have not and will not make any kind of ministerial choice around that company".

The business is run by David John Neal who was given a suspended prison sentence of three months in 2013 for illegally dumping waste. Four years later he was given another suspended sentence of 18 weeks for not removing it.

Mr Davies tells the Senedd: “The fact of the matter is the average punter in the street does have serious questions over this particular issue.

“It’s coming up time and time again over why £200,000 and what was expected in receipt of that £200,000. Are you failing to read the Welsh public's mind on this particular issue, and not coming forward and commissioning that independent inquiry?”

Mr Gething replies to Mr Davies: “I don't think the public will rally to the Tories banner when it comes to how politics should be funded".

Citing polling, he adds: “The public are most concerned and most obsessed with the cost of living crisis, they’re concerned with the future of the UK and Wales, they’re concerned with how well funded their public services are, and they’re concerned with the sort of economy we could have.”

Mr Gething listed Tata Steel’s Welsh centres: “If you went to Port Talbot, or to Llanwern or to Shotton or to Trostre, you wouldn’t find people obsessing about the issue of the member wants to raise… they’re concerned about the issue of the future of their jobs.”

Image source, NATURAL RESOURCES WALES

Julie Morgan raises the issues that a visually-impaired constituent faced in seeking a taxi, involving cancellation and an increased fare, which Ms Morgan describes as "shameful".

She explains, "my constituent, Ryan Moreland, booked a taxi to take him from Rhiwbina to the University Hospital of Wales for an urgent medical appointment. He was waiting outside on the street, and when the taxi driver drew up and saw Ryan's guide dog, Jamie, he drove past, hid at the end of the street and cancelled the job. Ryan managed to get another taxi to get to the hospital, but the story doesn't end there. On the way back from the hospital, the taxi driver at the ranks that Ryan approached was again hesitant to take Jamie, and then added £5 to the bill because Ryan had a guide dog with him."

The first minister replies, "I was genuinely appalled to read of the experience of Julie Morgan's constituent, Ryan Moreland. It is unlawful for taxi drivers to refuse to carry assistance dogs. It is unlawful for them to add an extra fee for carrying an assistance dog".

Llywydd Elin Jones conducts a ballot to determine the names of members who may table questions to the first minister.

Carolyn Thomas, Labour MS for north Wales, asks "how does the first minister intend to address biodiversity loss in Wales?"

She says "the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world".

The first minister replies, "we will address biodiversity loss by strengthening our legislative framework, including introducing statutory biodiversity targets, tackling the pressures that drive the loss, and action to improve the condition and resilience of our most precious habitats and species. This includes our nature networks, marine protected areas and national peatland action programmes."

The consultation ends today on the which contains the Welsh government's proposals to:

• embed environmental principles in Welsh law,
• establish an environmental governance body, and
• introduce targets and statutory duties for the protection and restoration of biodiversity in Wales.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Vaughan Gething’s third session of First Minister's Questions.

The meeting is held in a hybrid format, with some members in the Siambr (Senedd chamber) and others joining by video-conference.

You can click on the play button above to watch the proceedings from 1.30pm.