7. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government about ensuring that developers of major projects fulfil their contractual obligations? OQ60951

Thank you for the question. Eleven major house builders have signed the Welsh Government’s developers contract. The contracts commit these developers to undertake works to rectify fire safety issues in buildings that they've developed over the past 30 years. I’m aware that the Cabinet Secretary is committed to ensuring that developers fulfil their contractual obligations.

Thank you for that answer. I'm going on a slightly different aspect, and you might not be surprised to hear that this question is framed within the lens of Ffos-y-Fran opencast mine in Merthyr, in my region. It's outrageous that the mine owner is attempting to walk away from their legally binding obligations to restore the land and make it a haven for flora and fauna once again. After taking tens of millions of pounds-worth of coal from the site, an ecological water-filled disaster is developing, which is now causing real concern for long-suffering local residents.

Now, you may not be able to talk about the detail of this case, for legal reasons, but I want you to talk about the general principle of a company cutting and running after making their money. What message does this send out to other developers if there is no legal recourse taken against irresponsible developers? Is there now a perception that authorities and watchdogs in Wales are toothless? This is important, particularly in my region, since there are plans for another coal tip safety scheme on the site of the former Bedwas colliery. An escrow account is part of the plans to ensure that remediation work takes place once the scheme has run its course—a well-walked path. What legal advice are you giving to counter the perception that Wales is a soft touch for developers?

I don't give legal advice specifically on that last point. It is obviously important that all contractual arrangements that are entered into by public bodies are resilient. I know, for example, that the contract in respect of reclamation with Tower colliery, where there was an escrow account as well, is one that does appear to have worked and been fulfilled. In terms of the broader direction of the question that you're raising with me, I think that is one that should be raised again with the appropriate Cabinet Secretary.

Question 8 [OQ60961] has been withdrawn. So, finally, question 9, James Evans.