Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has raised concerns in the Senedd that the voices of faith groups are not being listened to in Welsh Government consultation processes.

Darren raised the matter in this week’s Business Statement when calling for a statement from the Minister for Social Justice on the way in which the Welsh Government conducts its public consultation processes.

He said:

“There was a statement issued, last week, by the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on the statutory licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales. 

"It was a welcome update on the outcome on the public consultation on the Welsh Government's plans but I was astonished that there were no references in the report to the representations that were made by faith groups about the need for an exemption for the very basic and simple overnight accommodation that is often provided by churches, chapels and other faith communities for those on pilgrimage in Wales.

“This was an issue that was absolutely referred to in responses by different members of faith communities and, indeed, by the Cross-party Group on Faith itself, yet there was no reference to it whatsoever in the report that was shared by the Deputy Minister.

“Can we have a statement on what the Welsh Government does in these public consultations, because it is important that people feel that their voices are listened to and that they do influence the decisions that are taken by Government Ministers?”

The Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, responded:

“With any public consultation that any Minister undertakes, there is always a publication of responses, and I would assume that the responses to which you refer from faith groups or even individual churches would be part of that response. But I will certainly check that that is the case.”

Watch Darren’s contribution in the Welsh Parliament below: