Politicians often talk about making history. Most of the time, they are talking rubbish! On Thursday 6th May it will be different.

I am determined to make our historic new Assembly work. After all, the Liberal Democrats are the Party which has campaigned for devolution for more than 100 years.

And the policies in this manifesto were made in Wales for a better Wales.

Labour still takes its lead from London as the election of its leader proved. The Conservatives campaigned against the Assembly and are looking for it to fail. And Plaid Cymru sees the Assembly as the first step to an independent, socialist Wales, separated from the United Kingdom.

We, however, understand that devolution will strengthen Wales in a united Britain and a decentralised Europe.

We will make devolution work for a better education in Wales. For better health services. And for a new, open politics where people’s voices get heard.

We guarantee that all primary school classes should have no more than 30 pupils.

We guarantee that all patients should wait no more than six months for any operation.

And, you have my personal guarantee that, if I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the Assembly cabinet fail to deliver on these promises, we will take a cut in our wages.

Our policies are fully costed and in the appendix to this document, you will find where we will get the money to pay for them.

That’s the new, honest politics. That’s how you can guarantee delivery.

Best wishes

Michael German

Liberal Democrat Leader Designate, National Assembly for Wales

P.S. Remember. Under the new voting system, every vote counts. So every vote for the Liberal Democrats will be a vote for better education and health services in Wales.

"The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity."

Preamble to the Liberal Democrat constitution.

Liberal Democrat Wales policies for the National Assembly are rooted in enduring values.

It is these values which will direct Wales into the new millennium. They will overcome the dangers of separation and centralisation, allowing the people of Wales to shape their own destiny with confidence in an inter-dependent world.

Liberty

Liberal Democrat policies will give people in Wales the liberty to shape their own lives and to fulfil their own potential.

Community

Wales is a country of strong communities. All are different. We are determined that the Assembly should allow them to thrive.

It is in strong communities that individual liberty is maximised for mutual benefit. It is from our sense of community that Team Wales will succeed.

Social Justice

We live in a world where there is injustice all around us. The Assembly is one instrument for people to use to free themselves from prejudice, inequality and poverty.

Empowerment

The Assembly brings decision-making closer to people but it must not stop there. Liberal Democrats will look to devolve further, to encourage participation and partnership and to give power away.

Internationalism

Liberal Democrats want Wales to have a voice in the United Kingdom, in Europe and across the world. Our vision of devolution is not parochial. It is outward-looking.

Government for people not politicians

Government touches people’s lives in different ways but rarely in the way Government organises itself.

This manifesto is written for people, not government departments. Policies are given as they affect people in Wales, not as civil servants would like them.

Reducing class sizes for all primary school children

"It all comes down to education. The jobs we get. The opportunities we take. The contribution we make to our communities. The quality of our lives.

"The plain fact is that, in this country, we do not invest enough in education and training. The Liberal Democrats understand this. They are committed to making the change. That’s why it’s so important that we give them our support."

Mr and Mrs Family

Liberal Democrat Wales education guarantees

"Our children’s education will benefit from being in smaller classes. Their teachers can do a better job if they have smaller classes to teach.

"That’s why Labour’s policy of reducing class sizes for children under eight, at the expense of increasing class sizes for older children is such bad news.

"The Liberal Democrats have got it right. We need smaller class sizes for all primary school children."

Mr and Mrs Family

• Maximum class sizes of 30 for all primary school children. We will do this in the Assembly’s first term. In the longer term, we will work towards a maximum of 25.
• Nursery education for all children from the age of 3 years whose parents want it. We will achieve this within the Assembly’s first term.
• An emergency programme to provide financial incentives for councils to bring school buildings up to a 21^st century standard.
• As part of the curriculum, the teaching of a modern foreign language alongside the teaching of Welsh at Key Stages 1 and 2.

• Making 'citizenship' a core component of the curriculum.

• Development of the teaching of musical instruments in our schools.
• A clear, well funded strategy for Welsh schools and colleges to provide up to the minute equipment and training in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
• A pilot project to examine the feasibility of a new qualification, the Welsh Baccalaureate.
• Improved schools funding to allow support for children with special educational needs.

• A level of service and quality in the school meals service that is both nutritionally beneficial and effectively delivered.

• An obligation on local councils to provide a Youth Service Development Plan, in consultation with and delivered in partnership with the voluntary sector.

• An all Wales careers advice and educational guidance service. This will be impartial, free of charge and available to people of all ages.

• A Wales Council for Lifelong Learning to provide strategic direction in skills training and adult education.
• Working towards parity of funding between students in school sixth-forms and those in Further Education colleges.

Liberal Democrat Wales health and social services guarantees

"As a family we depend on the National Health Service. When we need treatment we want it quickly, effectively and close to home.

"It doesn’t matter how many people are on a list. What matters is how long we have to wait. That’s why, unlike Labour, who are concentrating on lists, the Liberal Democrats have got it right when they say they will reduce the time people have to wait. "

Mr and Mrs Family

• A maximum waiting time of six months for patients to see a consultant after referral by a GP. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.
• A maximum waiting time of six months for patients to receive treatment after seeing a consultant. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.

• A new NHS Contract for Wales, guaranteeing the services provided by the NHS to patients.

• Emphasis on a health service (rather than an ill-health service). We will stress the need for effective health promotion.
• Abolition of charging for eye and dental check-ups.

• Piloting of a project to license all people who work with children as a means of safeguarding children from child abuse.

• Appointment of a Commissioner for Children with powers to investigate the local handling of any complaint made by a child about a public or voluntary service.

Liberal Democrats Wales crime prevention guarantees

"We want our children to be able to go out and see their friends in safety. More bobbies on the beat are essential but Labour’s record here is poor and the Assembly has limited powers. However the Assembly can help prevent crime in the first place. That’s what we like about the Liberal Democrat proposals."

Mr and Mrs Family

• Press for more bobbies on the beat
• Encouragement for Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
• Introduction of closed-circuit television and its proper monitoring, through the current code of guidance, to major crime spots in Wales where local people request it.

• Press for the transfer of speeding fine receipts, detected by speed cameras, from the Home Office to the local councils where the offences occurred.
• A new post of ‘Retained Police Officer’ to use the skills and knowledge of retired police officers in their local communities.

Liberal Democrat Wales housing guarantees

"We want the choice and flexibility to decide on a home that best suits our needs.

"The Liberal Democrats want to build more homes and improve the quality of existing housing. They believe that both home owners and tenants deserve a better deal. They will encourage mortgage lenders to support people in arrears; and promote rented housing to provide greater overall choice and flexibility."

Mr and Mrs Family

• Seek to reverse the decline in funding of improvement grants by the Welsh Office. We will use existing resources to maximum effect.

• Preservation of the right to buy for tenants. However, we will enable local councils to buy back properties for social housing when they are next sold.

• Development of a strategic approach to the improvement of private rented accommodation.

• Introduction of a benchmark standard for the management of public sector housing by councils and housing associations.

Liberal Democrats Wales environmental guarantees

"We want our family to grow up in a healthy Wales with clean land, air and water. We like the way Liberal Democrats look at the green implications of all policy making."

Mr and Mrs Family

• Requirement of the Assembly to set out clearly the environmental implications of all policies.
• Requirement of the First Secretary to report, annually, on the state of the environment in Wales, including a Quality of Life index.
• Requirement of local councils to set environmental targets for pollution levels. They will have to report to the public every year on achievements. We will ensure that local councils place Local Agenda 21 high on their list of priorities.

• Adoption of a waste-disposal and recycling strategy for Wales to set targets for reducing the amount of waste produced and for the amount sent to landfill.

• Requirement for all major planning applications to state all environmental implications.
• A presumption against allowing out-of-town shopping developments.
• A presumption against open-cast mining on green field sites and a presumption in favour on 'dirty' sites away from housing.

• Clear guidance to councils to tackle noise pollution and to press for more comprehensive legislation.

• Encouragement of the development of ‘brown field’ sites wherever possible. Where development is not practical we will issue guidance for the creation of urban 'green lungs', such as parks.

• Protection and enhancement of the existing green spaces in our towns and cities.

• Tackling air pollution through encouragement of the use of public transport and by efforts to make it more reliable and customer friendly.

• Introduction of schemes to encourage community involvement to create sustainable urban communities.

• Insistence that all companies, which work for or benefit from the Assembly, have clear policies which take into account environmental issues.

• A voluntary code of good environmental practice for all organisations in Wales.

• Collaboration, within the UK and Europe, with all organisations seeking to improve the environment. We will lobby firmly where necessary to achieve environmental progress.

Liberal Democrat Wales arts, culture and media guarantees

"We are proud of Wales’ artistic heritage. Films, plays and concerts are a part of our lives and, with the Assembly, we hope they will be more accessible to everyone."

Mr and Mrs Family

• Restoration of the arts budget in line with England’s.
• Working towards free admission to national museums.
• Support for the policy of free admission to museums and galleries for school parties.
• Establishment of a National Writers Museum of Wales.

• Establishment of a National Gallery of Modern Welsh Art.

• Continued support for community-based theatre work and Theatre in Education.
• Better support for libraries. We will place them at the forefront of our Information and Communications Technology initiatives.
• Working with broadcasters to enable the replacement of the current London based 6 o’clock news with a ‘Welsh Six’, dealing with British and international news from a Welsh perspective.
• Establishment of an Assembly Award for the Artistic School of the Year.
• Press the Government to designate St David’s Day as a national bank holiday in Wales.

Liberal Democrat Wales local government guarantees

"Our council is out of touch. We never see our councillor and decisions are made without asking for our views.

"However, we don’t want all decisions made in Cardiff or London. That’s why we like the Liberal Democrat policies for making councils more open and responsible."

Mr and Mrs Family

• Ensuring that Wales has a truly 21^st century democracy, by establishing an ‘innovation fund’ to improve councils’ links with their constituents.
• Press for a fair, proportional voting system for council elections.

• Press for the introduction of a tougher ethical code of conduct for councillors requiring them to register all personal financial and other interests.
• Encouragement of councils to establish audit panels to scrutinise their affairs.
• Press for a power of "general competence" giving councils a wider scope for action.

• Ensuring, in partnership with the Local Government Association, that the Revenue Support Grant is allocated in a fair and equitable way, according to an agreed formula.

• Seek to reduce central government controls on council spending, gradually over time, so allowing councils to be more accountable.
• Requirement of councils to publish, annually, a report on local taxes raised and how all the council’s income has been spent, against performance objectives.
• Encouragement of councils, when reviewing their structures, to ensure greater openness and transparency with the electorate.
• Encouragement of the establishment and development of town and community councils.

Liberal Democrat Wales better government guarantees

"We’re fed up with politicians bickering. They argue for the sake of arguing and, once they’re elected, they forget about the people they are meant to represent and the promises they have made.

"We’ve always felt that the Liberal Democrats are different. They want politicians to work together.

"What’s more, Liberal Democrats say they will keep their promises and, if they don’t, they expect their pay to be cut."

Mr and Mrs Family

• Introduction of ‘promise related pay’ for the First Secretary and Assembly Secretaries. Their performance review will be administered by a special committee of Assembly Members and members of the Welsh electorate.
• An immediate audit of QUANGOs, assessing questions of their relevance, costs and how far they reflect the needs of the community.
• An independent review of the role of senior civil servants working at the Welsh Office and the National Assembly.
• The right for members of the public to make presentations and present petitions to Assembly committees.
• An Independent Standards Body to oversee the conduct of public life in Wales.
• A code of practice for running the Assembly and QUANGOs in Wales.
• Annual publication of the pay, expenses, attendance record and outside interests of Assembly Members on Assembly web pages and in the local and national press.
• Publication of the sources of Liberal Democrat funding.
• Publication of an annual report of the work of each Liberal Democrat Assembly Member.
• A web site for the Assembly and Wales to act as an ‘electronic embassy’.
• A "Whistle-Blowers" Charter for the staff under the jurisdiction of the Assembly and for the general public in Wales.
• A clear equal opportunities policy for the Assembly.

Mending leaking roofs and getting rid of temporary classrooms.

"My job carries a big responsibility. I want Wales to be proud of the pupils I teach. To do this I want to be a member of a profession people respect.

"I need the tools to get on with the job. The Liberal Democrats understand this. That’s why they get my support."

Mr School Teacher

Liberal Democrats Wales education guarantees

• Maximum class sizes of 30 for all primary school children. We will do this in the Assembly’s first term. In the longer term, we will work towards a maximum of 25.

• An emergency programme to provide financial incentives for councils to bring school buildings up to a 21^st century standard.

• Use of the current review of the National Curriculum to develop some specific initiatives within a slimmed-down format which allows teachers more freedom for professional judgement.

• Reform of the school inspection system in Wales so that more emphasis is placed on feedback from inspectors.

• A General Teaching Council for Wales in a more radical form than that proposed by the government.

• Combining of the functions of the curriculum Assessment Authority (ACCAC) with the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC).
• A Bureau to provide strategic support for the European dimension in schools, colleges and universities.
• A pilot project to examine the feasibility of a new qualification, the Welsh Baccalaureate.
• A Wales Council for Lifelong Learning to provide strategic direction in skills training and adult education.
• Requirement of local councils, in collaboration with local schools, colleges, universities, major employers etc, to produce learning development plans covering all age groups, so giving impetus to Lifelong Learning.
• A package of measures to encourage Lifelong Learning in both Further and Higher education, supported by increased funding.
• Ensuring that Further and Higher Education institutions develop distance learning opportunities. They will collaborate with the Digital College and UfI to give all communities in Wales access to education and training.

Liberal Democrat Wales sports guarantees

"I support Liberal Democrat plans for a standard system of qualifications for those engaged in sport and a register of recognised sports coaches. There is need for a more formal career structure in this area and qualifications in which employers can have confidence."

Mr School Teacher

• Establishment, in partnership with the appropriate education and training providers, the Welsh Sports Council and official governing bodies, of a standardised system of qualifications in sport and a register of recognised sports coaches.

• A package of measures to restore sport in schools and the standards of training particularly in primary schools.

• Training programmes for sport and physical education particularly for primary teachers.

• Provision of in-service training for teachers at every level.

• Subject to budget constraints, funding of peripatetic physical education and sports specialists to visit schools for a number of hours each week.

Liberal Democrats Wales arts, culture and media guarantees

• Support for the policy of free admission to museums and galleries for school parties and an undertaking to explore the implications of expanding this policy to a wider section of the public.
• Continued support for community-based theatre work and Theatre in Education.
• An Assembly Award for the Artistic School of the Year.

Liberal Democrats Wales better government guarantees

• A National Assembly Education Unit.

• A Partnership Committee of members of minority ethnic communities and Assembly members.
• Publication of Assembly materials on paper and in electronic form in minority ethnic languages whenever appropriate.

Reducing hospital waiting times to no more than six months.

"The health of the people of Wales is not as good as it should be. Life expectancy is about one year less than in England. The death rate from heart disease in Wales is nearly a fifth higher and one-in-ten more people die from cancer.

"As a nurse working in the South Wales valleys I see poor health which is nearly twice as bad as the healthier parts of Wales. It’s down to poverty, the lack of jobs, poor housing and low education standards.

"That’s why the Liberal Democrats are right to deal with the root causes, not just the symptoms of ill health."

Ms Nurse

Liberal Democrats Wales health and social services guarantees

"Both the Tories and Labour have constantly re-organised the way the NHS is managed. Every re-organisation has stopped me from getting on with my job. That’s why the Liberal Democrats are right to leave us alone. Their proposals to open up decision-making will improve accountability without disruption."

Ms Nurse

• A maximum waiting time of six months for patients to see a consultant after referral by a GP. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.
• A maximum waiting time of six months for patients to receive treatment after seeing a consultant. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.

• Audit of the links between poor health and economic deprivation to achieve better redistribution of resources.

• Greater emphasis on a health service (rather than an ill-health service). We will stress the need for effective health promotion.

• A new NHS Contract for Wales, guaranteeing the services provided by the NHS to patients.

• Appointment of salaried GPs in areas where recruitment of family doctors is difficult.
• Provision of funding support for doctors in small practices to alleviate the pressures.

• Making Health Authorities and Trusts publicly accountable for their effective and efficient management of resources.

• Audit of the pay and conditions of nurses in the NHS in Wales. We will pursue the implications of the abolition of the present clinical grading system
• The greatest possible autonomy for Local Health Groups within Health Authorities so that GPs can make clinical decisions without interference.

• Attendance and speaking rights for Community Health Councils at meetings of NHS Trust Boards, Local Health Groups and Health Authorities.

• Avoidance of further major organisational changes in the National Health Service in Wales in the lifetime of the first National Assembly.

• An independent Welsh Health Policy Forum to advise the Assembly on health matters.

• Pilot schemes to achieve more effective working relationships between the NHS and social services departments in local councils.

Liberal Democrats Wales better government guarantees

• A Health and Social Services Subject Committee in the Assembly.

Developing a business birth rate strategy for Wales.

"Wales is the second poorest part of the UK. So, the greatest challenge facing the Assembly is to increase our economic prosperity. Its success will be judged on this.

"Our economic prosperity will be dependent on Wales having a highly educated and trained work-force. That’s why I agree with the Liberal Democrats emphasising education and training.

"It’s important that we should not put all our eggs into one economic basket. Inward investment, support for existing small businesses and the creation of new enterprises are all needed if Wales is to prosper."

Ms Small Business Owner

• Strong emphasis on the need for a far greater spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Wales.

• A Business Birth-rate Strategy for Wales. We will set a target for the annual number of new manufacturing and service businesses created.

• Financial incentives for Further Education colleges and universities in Wales to establish new 'spin-off' manufacturing and service businesses.

• Examination of the successful approaches used in Ireland to strengthen links between the education system and modern industry. We will adapt the best for Wales.

• Reinforcement of the primary message of Wales' Regional Technology Plan: innovation and technology are key to Wales' future success.

• Continuation of strong emphasis on foreign inward investment as well as the devotion of more resources to fostering indigenous businesses. Such inward investment should, as far as practical, be spread throughout Wales.

• A much greater emphasis on the provision of jobs in the services sector of the economy through inward investment - again throughout Wales.

• Continuation of strong on-going support to established small and medium sized enterprises. We will transfer the responsibility for Business Connect from the Welsh Office to the Welsh Development Agency.

• Maximisation of efforts amongst all organisations to ensure Wales obtains the fullest benefit from Objective 1 Funding.
• Pressing for the establishment of a Welsh Investment Bank. The bank will provide funding for small entrepreneurial businesses as part of the Objective 1 Funding.

• A web site for the Assembly and Wales, to act as an ‘electronic embassy.’

• Consultation with business through a Partnership Committee of business and employee representatives.

Liberal Democrat Wales education and training guarantees

"Education is the bedrock of economic prosperity. For too long Wales has been a low wage, low skill economy. That’s why the Liberal Democrats are committed to Lifelong Learning which opens up opportunities at every stage of life."

Ms Small Business Owner

• Maximum class sizes of 30 for all primary school children. We will do this in the Assembly’s first term. In the longer term, we will work towards a maximum of 25.

• As part of the curriculum, the teaching of a modern foreign language alongside the teaching of Welsh at Key Stages 1 and 2.

• A Bureau to provide strategic support for the European dimension in schools, colleges and universities.

• An all Wales careers advice and educational guidance service. It will be impartial, free of charge and available to people of all ages.

• A Wales Council for Lifelong Learning to provide strategic direction in skills training and adult education.
• Requirement of local councils, in collaboration with local schools, colleges, universities, major employers etc, to produce learning development plans covering all age groups, so giving impetus to Lifelong Learning.

Liberal Democrat Wales transport guarantees

"A sound transport policy is key to economic regeneration. Road improvements should continue to remain an important part of the development of the transport infrastructure.

"That’s why the Liberal Democrats are right to assess the road building programme in the light of the strategic importance to Wales."

Ms Small Business Owner

• An integrated transport policy and widening the existing Welsh Transport Advisory Group into a Transport Forum.
• Improvement of the quality of the strategic road network (north-south and east-west).

• A strategic plan to encourage the transfer of more freight from road to rail.
• Pressing for improved rail facilities at all relevant sea-ports; new transfer points allowing freight to be collected and delivered; and the development of other lines to permit rapid transit of people and freight.

• Revitalisation of the use of railways for passengers in Wales.

• Development of policies to extend substantially park-and-ride facilities throughout Wales.

• Development of policies to improve air travel within Wales. We will ensure that airports have improved access by rail and road.
• Creation of direct access to the international air network from within Wales, using Cardiff as a regional hub, and complementing the services available from Manchester, Birmingham and the London airports.

• Development of regional airports to ensure an effective pan-Wales air transport infrastructure.
• Development of the required navigation, runway and terminal facilities at these airports. The air network will be self-funding after a three year pump-priming period.

Liberal Democrat Wales local government guarantees

"Too many councils in Wales are bureaucratic and inefficient. They do not understand enterprise. That’s why Liberal Democrat plans to open them up and make them more accountable are so welcome."

Ms Small Business Owner

• Seeking a commitment from government for the eventual replacement of the Uniform Business Rate with a locally determined tax on land values.

• Requirement of councils to publish, annually, a report on local taxes raised and how all the council's income has been spent, against its performance objectives.

• Encouragement of councils, when reviewing their structures, to ensure greater openness and transparency with the electorate.

Giving a future to rural communities in Wales

"I don’t want the countryside to be a museum. I don’t want it to die. That’s why I like the Liberal Democrat proposals for rural Wales. They want to revive the farming industry. And they also see the importance of keeping our village schools open, maintaining access to the NHS and developing public transport."

Farming family

Liberal Democrat Wales agriculture guarantees

"The supermarket control of the British food market, the burden of the Government’s refusal to pay Green Pound compensation payments, the milk quota crisis and the BSE crisis have made Welsh agriculture weaker than I have ever known.

"The Liberal Democrats have practical proposals for making the most of the expertise and industry of our farmers. With their lead, I look forward to handing on a prosperous business to my children."

Farming family

• Re-establishment of a viable and sustainable agricultural industry. Agriculture is a fundamental economic resource for Wales.
• Support for the continuation of Milk Marque in the current inquiry by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
• Maintenance of support payments to Less Favoured Areas.
• Introduction of a price reporting system for lamb, based on quality bands rather than average quotes.
• Campaign for the costs of meat inspections, veterinary charges and disposals to be born by government as a public health matter as in other European countries.
• Campaign to ensure that the proposed Agenda 2000 ‘National Envelope Scheme’ is targeted at securing the future of Welsh family farms.
• Campaign to equalise arable aid payments for England and Wales.
• Assistance for Welsh livestock farming, representing 28,000 businesses, to expedite a package of short term measures against the background of CAP reform and WTO talks.
• Encouragement for farmers in Wales to capitalise as rapidly as possible on the opportunities offered by the rapid expansion of the demand for organic food. We will encourage conversion to organic production.
• Establishment of a modern, integrated industrial infrastructure for food production, processing, packaging and storing in Wales. This will create the critical, missing vertical linkage in the food supply chain in the industry.
• Giving the Welsh Development Agency responsibility for leading and restructuring the processing and marketing side of the industry.
• Giving status and priority to the nurturing of partnership and co-operation in Welsh farming. This will exploit the opportunity provided by the establishment of an independent vertical food supply chain in Wales.
• Creation of a ‘Welsh Food Quality Directorate’ to replace the former ‘Welsh Food Promotions’, now absorbed by the WDA. It will co-ordinate the development of an international image of Welsh food.
• Establishment of ‘Farming Connect’, based on Business Connect and centred on local enterprise agencies, but strengthened by formal links with agricultural colleges. Farming Connect will provide a free advisory service for farmers for a minimum three-year period.
• Campaign for the creation of a ‘Supermarket Watchdog’ to regulate the supermarkets’ control of the food market
• Press for the creation of an ‘Independent Appeals Panel’ for Wales to adjudicate in disputes between government and farmers involving the processing of grant support applications and their payments.
• A retirement scheme for farmers, not tied to farm amalgamations, consistent with providing the maximum entry for young farmers into the industry.
• Support for Tir Gofal with enthusiasm and encouragement for its speedier introduction: securing greater funding by winning public support through a new town and country contract.
• Development of a Wales biomass strategy to exploit forest residues and short-rotation coppice for the fuelling of local heat and power production plants.
• Establishment of the ‘National Forest of Wales’ and creation of a Forest Strategy Group (based on a Programme Committee), accountable to the Assembly.
• Operation of an effective sea-going fisheries protection presence. We will ensure that the principle of local fisheries management, under an all-Wales policy, is enshrined in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Liberal Democrat Wales environment guarantees

"As farmers we have a responsibility for the beautiful Welsh countryside. Liberal Democrats respect this beauty. They are committed to maintaining it for the future."

Farming family

• Press central government to provide financial incentives, through the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, to ensure that Wales does not become overly dependent on land-based wind-power but is instead able to benefit from diverse sources of renewable energy.
• Ensuring that more comprehensive planning guidance is provided on key environmental issues and on the whole question of sustainability.
• Planning guidance to encourage small businesses to set up and provide jobs in rural Wales.
• Green Belts to protect the countryside around the major urban areas of Wales.

Liberal Democrat Wales public service guarantees

"Like the village post office and shop, schools, health services and other public services lie at the heart of rural community life. They cannot be rationalised and centralised as may be the fashion in towns and cities. Government action is needed to preserve and develop these services and Liberal Democrats are committed to this action.

"Public transport in particular requires co-ordination and planning. Thank goodness the Liberal Democrats will ensure that road, rail and bus services are linked."

Mr Old Farmer

• Obligation of councils to take into account the impact on the whole community when considering the closure of rural schools.
• Support for the federating of small schools to allow them to share expertise and resources.

• Development of distance learning opportunities by Further and Higher Education institutions and collaboration with the Digital College and UfI in order that all communities in Wales have access to education and training.

• A new NHS Contract guaranteeing services, often forgotten about with the concentration on hospitals, provided by the NHS to patients.

• Encouragement of councils and registered social landlords to work in partnership to improve the provision of affordable and low-cost housing in rural areas.

• Promotion, with local authorities, of the improvement in public transport facilities in rural areas.
• Creation of Community Transport For a and the development of Village Transport initiatives in which community councils play an active part in planning and publicising voluntary action.
• Improvement of the quality of the strategic road network (north-south and east-west).
• An All-Wales telephone help-line, supported by ‘help desks’ in market towns, to provide information on transport availability.

• Pressing the government to allow councils to introduce a variable premium of up to 100 per cent on the council tax of new second home owners.

Liberal Democrat Wales community development guarantees

"There is much poverty in rural communities. However, neighbours do much to support each other. It is this voluntary effort which Liberal Democrats seek to cherish and support."

Farming family

• A Community Development Investment Authority to which local communities and partnerships will be able to apply directly for grant aid or loans.
• Requirement of councils to produce a biennial audit of disadvantage to be conducted in consultation with Local Health Groups, voluntary and community organisations.
• Requirement of local authorities to draw up a community development strategy in consultation with partner organisations.
• Direct access for community groups to funding from the new Community Development Investment Authority. This will provide matched funding where appropriate.

Liberal Democrats Wales better government guarantees

"Cardiff can seem a long way away. I hope Assembly members will make every effort to keep close to people wherever they are in Wales. If Liberal Democrat proposals for using technology and the holding of committee meetings are brought in, it’ll be alright."

Farming family

• Holding ‘Open For a’ twice yearly in venues across Wales with the First Secretary and Assembly Secretaries attending to answer questions from the public.

• Location of new offices and agencies under the remit of the Assembly outside Cardiff wherever practical.
• Connection of every community electronically to the Assembly and its members.
• Holding of Assembly Regional Committee meetings in public and in their respective regions.

• Holding of Subject Committee meetings in public and at different venues across Wales.

Giving young people the opportunity to participate in a vibrant Wales

"I am proud to be Welsh. I want to benefit from a world class education system in my own country. I want to have my say and contribute to a confident and outward-looking Wales.

"The Liberal Democrats have that vision and they want me to join in."

Ms Student

Liberal Democrat Wales education guarantees

"Only the Liberal Democrats can be trusted on education. It is their top priority. "

Ms Student

• A Wales Lifelong Learning Council to provide strategic direction for training and adult education and to ensure that the Welsh workforce is highly skilled. It will merge and enhance the powers of the Further Education Funding Council and the Training and Enterprise Councils.
• Formulation of a ten year strategy for the development of higher education in Wales by the Higher Education Funding Council.

• Requirement of all local authorities, in collaboration with local schools, colleges, universities, major employers etc. to produce learning development plans covering all age groups. In areas eligible for Objective 1 funding, particularly, this must be given a clear priority.

• Working towards parity of funding between students in school sixth-forms and Further Education colleges.
• A pilot project to examine the feasibility of a new qualification, the Welsh Baccalaureate.
• A package of measures to encourage Lifelong Learning in both Further and Higher education, supported by increased funding.

• Greater collaboration between Further and Higher Education institutions to widen educational opportunities.

• Requirement of all further education colleges and universities, individually or collaboratively, to provide counselling, careers and other services for students of all ages.

Liberal Democrats Wales housing guarantees

"Liberal Democrats believe that all people should have a roof over their head, They should be entitled to safe, secure and permanent accommodation."

Ms Student

• Tackling effectively the problem of homelessness.
• Press for legislation to give local councils the power to bring back into use any property left empty, without reasonable cause, for more than 12 months.
• Ensure the analysis of housing need and housing stock is equitable and fair.
• Support for the introduction of a National Homes in Multiple Occupation licensing scheme.

Liberal Democrats Wales transport guarantees

• An integrated transport policy and the widening of the existing Welsh Transport Advisory Group into a Transport Forum.
• An all-Wales telephone help-line to provide information on transport availability.
• Revitalisation of the use of railways for passengers in Wales.
• Promotion, in association with local councils, of policies in urban areas which encourage the greater use of public transport.
• Better integration of bus and rail services.

Liberal Democrats Wales jobs guarantees

• Continuation of strong on-going support to established small and medium sized enterprises. We will transfer the responsibility for Business Connect from the Welsh Office to the Welsh Development Agency.

• Strong emphasis on the need for a far greater spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Wales.

• A Business Birth-rate Strategy for Wales. We will sett a target for the annual number of new manufacturing and service businesses created.

• Financial incentives for Further Education colleges and universities in Wales to establish new 'spin-off' manufacturing and service businesses.

• A much greater emphasis on the provision of jobs in the services sector of the economy through inward investment - again throughout Wales.

Liberal Democrat Wales Welsh language guarantees

"Wales is a bi-lingual society. Liberal Democrats respect both languages and refuse to let it divide Wales. They would encourage the Welsh language to prosper and thrive."

Ms Student

• Striving for all-party agreement on policies to support and encourage the use of Welsh in schools, colleges, socially and in the work-place, so de-politicising the language issue.
• Support for the Welsh Language Board in promoting and facilitating use of the language.
• Maintaining Welsh as a core requirement of the school curriculum.
• Development of a Welsh Language Scheme for all public sector and voluntary bodies which do not have one.
• Encouragement of Welsh speakers and young and adult learners to maintain their fluency.

Liberal Democrats Wales sports guarantees

• Requirement of councils, in association with local sports groups, to produce a formal Sports Development Plan and targets.

Liberal Democrats Wales better government guarantees

• A young people’s Assembly for Wales comprising 40 young people aged 12 to 17 directly elected by a fair voting system in schools and colleges and 20 representing youth organisations.
• Youth fora for each local council area.

Public services to allow me to grow old with dignity and independence

"All my life I have done my bit. I worked and paid taxes. I raised a family and helped others. I still have a lot to contribute to the new Wales but I don’t want to lose my dignity.

"The Assembly can’t increase my pension but it can make sure I have access to the basic public services which allow me to be independent. The Liberal Democrats understand this."

Mrs Pensioner

Liberal Democrat Wales housing guarantees

"I have lived in my home most of my life. Unfortunately, like many, it is running into poor repair. Thank goodness the Liberal Democrats are committed to investment in home repairs."

Mrs Pensioner

• Aim to reverse the decline in funding of improvement grants by the Welsh Office by using existing resources to maximum effect.

• Greater discretion for councils on existing means testing provisions for grants in order to encourage the renewal of whole areas.

• Encouragement of greater tenant participation and control of their own affairs.

• A strategic approach to the improvement of private rented accommodation.

• Introduction of a benchmark standard for the management of public sector housing by councils and housing associations.

Liberal Democrats Wales transport guarantees

"I no longer have a car so I rely on the bus to get my shopping done and the train if I want to visit my children and grand children. But the services are awful and it’s difficult to find out when the buses are meant to arrive. That’s why the Liberal Democrat idea for a travel information help-line would be such a help."

Mrs Pensioner

• An integrated transport policy and the widening of the existing Welsh Transport Advisory Group into a Transport Forum.
• Revitalisation of the use of railways for passengers.

• Promotion, in association with local councils, of policies in urban areas which encourage the greater use of public transport.

• Better integration of bus and rail services.

• An all-Wales telephone help-line with timetable information.

Liberal Democrat Wales health and social services guarantees

"I’m having to use the NHS more now than I have done all my life. It’s a wonderful service but I don’t want to have to wait for treatment when I’m in pain. That’s why the Liberal Democrat pledge to reduce waiting times, rather than lists, is right.

"Also, I use the many ‘hidden services’ provided by unsung heros you never read about in the papers – the community nurses, occupational therapists and other community staff. The Liberal Democrats will protect their services with the new NHS Contract for Wales."

Mrs Pensioner

• A maximum waiting time of six months for patients to see a consultant after referral by a GP. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.
• A maximum waiting time of six months for patients to receive treatment after seeing a consultant. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.

• A new NHS Contract for Wales, guaranteeing the services provided by the NHS to patients.
• Abolition of charges for eye and dental checks.

• Pilot schemes to achieve more effective working relationships between the NHS and social services departments in local councils.

• A ‘one-stop’ advice service for carers.

• A flexible respite care programme for carers.

Liberal Democrats Wales crime prevention guarantees

"I know the Assembly will not be directly responsible for the police in Wales. However, Liberal Democrats say there is considerable potential for co-operation between the police, the council and voluntary organisations, such as Help the Aged and Age Concern. That’s what will prevent crime and put my mind at rest."

Mrs Pensioner

• Press for more bobbies on the beat.

• Extension of the pilot 'Home Crime Prevention Survey' schemes throughout Wales.

• Encouragement for Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
• Introduction of closed-circuit television and its proper monitoring, through the current code of guidance, to major crime spots in Wales where local people request it.

• A new post of ‘Retained Police Officer’ to use the skills and knowledge of retired police officers in their local communities.

Liberal Democrats Wales community and urban regeneration guarantees

"Communities are not as strong as they once were. But Liberal Democrats put community at the heart of their policies. That’s how it should be in such a busy, modern world."

Mrs Pensioner

• A Community Development Investment Authority to which local communities and partnerships will be able to apply directly for grant aid or loans.

• Requirement of councils to produce a biennial audit of disadvantage. This will be conducted in consultation with Local Health Groups, voluntary and community organisations.

• Requirement of councils to draw up a community development strategy in consultation with partner organisations.

• Encouragement of the return of domestic accommodation to our city centres through new build and the adaptation of existing properties.

Liberal Democrat Wales voluntary sector guarantees

"My life would be poorer without the amount of voluntary work put in by other people. The voluntary sector makes a major contribution to Welsh society: in the economy, in areas such as caring, education and training, and community development, culture and sport.

"Yet at the same time, this work often goes unnoticed - especially by politicians and policy makers - and is undervalued.

"Liberal Democrats intend to change this. They wish to see a voluntary sector in Wales which is strong, and which is better resourced."

Mrs Pensioner

• Direct access for community groups to funding from the new Community Development Investment Authority. It will be used for matched funding where appropriate.

Liberal Democrat Wales environmental guarantees

"All the new shops round here are being built on the new retail park outside the town. That’s no good to me because I don’t have a car. I want action to keep my local stores open."

Mrs Pensioner

• A planning presumption against allowing out-of-town shopping developments.

• Clear guidance to councils to tackle noise pollution and to press for more comprehensive legislation.

• Protection and enhancement of the existing green spaces in our towns and cities.

• Tackling air pollution through encouragement of the use of public transport and by making efforts for it to be more reliable and customer friendly.

• Schemes to encourage community involvement to create sustainable urban communities.

Galvanising 10,000 enterprises.

"We run one of thousands of micro-businesses, from taxi firms, to museums and theme parks, which form part of the tourist industry.

"To give it coherence, the industry needs a new structure to facilitate communication between the trade, the Wales Tourist Board, local authorities and other key bodies."

Mr and Mrs Hotelier

Liberal Democrat Wales tourism guarantees

• Recognition of tourism as a priority item on the Assembly's economic agenda. We will set a target for tourism to represent 10 per cent of Wales GDP by 2004 (7 per cent,1998).

• Underwriting the role of the Wales Tourist Board as the provider of leadership and strategic direction to the industry.

• Creation of a new organisational structure for tourism in Wales to embrace the multitude and variety of small businesses involved in tourism.

• Convening of an annual tourism conference for all stakeholders in the industry to provide advice and direction on tourism to the Assembly and to review the past year within the context of a 5 year rolling plan.

• Returning to the Wales Tourist Board the responsibility for setting-up and overseeing a strategic and integrated network of Tourist Information Centres.

• Supporting and strengthening the local tourist associations by integrating the work of the TICs with that of the local associations.

• Establishment of a computerised system, based on the TIC network, to provide up-to-date, credible and reliable statistics on the industry.

• Creation and maintenance of a dedicated web site for Wales, accessible to the trade through TICs, to inform on best tourism practice from across the world.

• Support for and widening of the Wales Tourist Board pilot business mentoring scheme.

• Establishment of a three-year match-funded programme to encourage the grass-roots development of new sustainable tourism products. These will draw on the inspiration from the natural resources of the environment, language, culture and history of Wales.

• Employment of the distinct and powerful image that emerges from the three year product development programme as the basis of an organic, pan-Wales brand.

• Establishment of a corps of 'Welsh National Tourist Guides' to interpret the new brand and to further inspire the development of creative tourism product.

• Establishment of a free-standing Wales International Convention Bureau.

"The establishment of the National Assembly will lead to a significant change in relationships with the UK Government in Whitehall. The fullest co-operation will be required if the Assembly is to be the success that Liberal Democrats want.

"The Assembly, too, will need to establish links in its own right with the other Celtic Parliaments and, indeed, with Brussels when matters relating to Wales are under discussion."

Michael German

Liberal Democrat Wales Assembly guarantees

• Appointment of six subject committees in the National Assembly (Culture, Heritage and Sport, Economic affairs, Education, Environment, Health and Agriculture and Rural Affairs) each with a minimum of seven members. Membership will be proportional to the balance of parties in the Assembly.

• Appointment of five cross-theme standing committees (Community Development, Equal Opportunities, Europe, Sustainable Development and the Welsh Language), each with a minimum of seven members and with membership proportional to the Assembly as a whole.

• Acceptance of the fast track and standard procedures for dealing with secondary legislation as outlined in the National Assembly Advisory Group’s report.
• Establishment of close relationships between the National Assembly and other Celtic partner governments.

• Obtaining agreement from the UK Government for the National Assembly of Wales to obtain right of access to meetings, in London or Brussels, when matters relating to Wales are under discussion.
• Operation of protocols between the National Assembly and Westminster according to agreed, clear principles.
• Establishment of Partnership Committees with Local Government and with Business and Trade Unions.

A SUMMARY OF LIBERAL DEMOCRAT WALES GUARANTEES

Agriculture

Liberal Democrats will:

• Ensure that a viable and sustainable agricultural industry is re-established. Agriculture is a fundamental economic resource for Wales.
• Support the continuation of Milk Marque in the current inquiry by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
• Maintain support payments to Less Favoured Areas.
• Introduce a price reporting system for lamb, based on quality bands rather than average quotes.
• Campaign for the costs of meat inspections, veterinary charges and disposals to be born by government as a public health matter as in other European countries.
• Campaign to ensure that the proposed Agenda 2000 ‘National Envelope Scheme’ is targeted at securing the future of Welsh family farms.
• Campaign to equalise arable aid payments for England and Wales.
• Assist Welsh livestock farming, representing 28,000 businesses, to expedite a package of short term measures against the background of CAP reform and WTO talks.
• Encourage farmers in Wales to capitalise as rapidly as possible on the opportunities offered by the rapid expansion of the demand for organic food. We will encourage conversion to organic production.
• Establish a modern, integrated industrial infrastructure for food production, processing, packaging and storing in Wales. This will create the critical, missing vertical linkage in the food supply chain in the industry.
• Give the Welsh Development Agency the responsibility for leading and restructuring the processing and marketing side of the industry.
• Give status and priority to the nurturing of partnership and co-operation in Welsh farming, in order to exploit the opportunity provided by the establishment of an independent vertical food supply chain in Wales.
• Create a 'Welsh Food Quality Directorate' to replace the former 'Welsh Food Promotions', now absorbed by the WDA. This will co-ordinate the development of an international image of Welsh food.
• Establish 'Farming Connect', based on Business Connect and centred on local enterprise agencies, but strengthened by formal links with agricultural colleges. Farming Connect will provide a free advisory service for farmers for a minimum three-year period.
• Campaign for the creation of a 'Supermarket Watchdog' to regulate the supermarkets' control of the food market.
• Press for the creation of an 'Independent Appeals Panel' for Wales to adjudicate in disputes between government and farmers involving the processing of grant support applications and their payments.
• Introduce a retirement scheme for farmers, not tied to farm amalgamations, consistent with providing the maximum entry for young farmers into the industry.
• Support Tir Gofal with enthusiasm and encourage its speedier introduction: secure greater funding by winning public support through a new town and country contract.
• Develop a Wales biomass strategy to exploit forest residues and short-rotation coppice for the fuelling of local heat and power production plants.
• Establish the 'National Forest of Wales' and create a Forest Strategy Group (based on a 'Task to Finish' committee), accountable to the Assembly.
• Operate an effective sea-going fisheries protection presence. We will ensure that the principle of local fisheries management, under an all-Wales policy, is enshrined in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Better Government

Liberal Democrats will:

• Introduce ‘promise related pay’ for the First Secretary and Assembly Secretaries. Their performance review will be administered by a special committee of Assembly Members and members of the Welsh electorate.
• Hold 'Open Fora' twice yearly in venues across Wales with the First Secretary and Assembly Secretaries attending to answer questions from the public.
• Review, independently, the role of senior civil servants working at the Welsh Office and the National Assembly.
• Locate new offices and agencies under the remit of the Assembly outside Cardiff wherever practical.
• Connect every community electronically to the Assembly and its members.
• Hold Assembly Regional Committee meetings in public and in their respective regions.
• Hold Subject Committee meetings in public and at different venues throughout Wales.
• Allow members of the public to make presentations and present petitions to Assembly Committees.
• Establish an Independent Standards body to oversee the conduct of public life in Wales.
• Draw up and apply a code of practice to the Assembly and QUANGOs in Wales.
• Publish, annually, the pay, expenses, attendance record and outside interests of Assembly Members on Assembly web pages and in the local and national press.
• Publish the sources of Liberal Democrat funding.
• Publish an annual report of the work of each Liberal Democrat member of the Assembly.
• Establish a Standing Committee of members of minority ethnic communities and Assembly members.
• Publish the proceedings of the Assembly in paper and electronic forms, in the language in which the contribution was made, within twenty-four hours. Full Welsh and English versions of the proceedings will appear simultaneously as soon as practicable thereafter.
• Publish Assembly materials on paper and in electronic form in minority ethnic languages whenever appropriate.
• Establish a National Assembly Education Unit.
• Establish a web site for the Assembly and Wales to act as an ‘electronic embassy'.
• Establish a young people's Assembly for Wales comprising 40 young people aged 12 to 17 directly elected by fair votes in schools and colleges and 20 representing youth organisations.
• Develop a "Whistle-Blowers" Charter for the staff under the jurisdiction of the Assembly and for the general public in Wales.
• Establish a clear equal opportunities policy for the Assembly.

Community and Urban Regeneration

Liberal Democrats will:

• Establish a Community Development Investment Authority to which local communities and partnerships will be able to apply directly for grant aid or loans.

• Require councils to produce a biennial audit of disadvantage. This will be conducted in consultation with Local Health Groups, voluntary and community organisations.

• Require councils to draw up a community development strategy in consultation with partner organisations.

• Encourage the return of domestic accommodation to our city centres through new build and the adaptation of existing properties.

Crime Prevention

Liberal Democrats will:

• Press for more bobbies on the beat
• Encourage Neighbourhood Watch schemes.
• Extend the pilot 'Home Crime Prevention Survey' schemes throughout Wales.
• Introduce closed-circuit television and its proper monitoring, through the current code of guidance, to major crime spots in Wales where local people request it.
• Press for the transfer of speeding fine receipts, detected by speed cameras, from the Home Office to the local councils where the offences occurred.
• Introduce a new post of ‘Retained Police Officer’ to use the skills and knowledge of retired police officers in their local communities.

Culture, Arts and Media

Liberal Democrats will:

• Restore the arts budget in line with England.
• Establish a National Arts Forum, consisting of leading artists and arts organisations, to assist in drawing up a long term strategy for the arts in Wales, based on the principles of artistic freedom, the nurturing of new and existing talent, and the pursuit of excellence.
• Work towards free admission to national museums.
• Strengthen and re-constitute Sgrîn as a National Film Agency for Wales, via public funding, in order to promote and enhance Welsh film-making opportunities.
• Create a Welsh Producer’s Fund, to assist film-makers in Wales.
• Establish a National Writers Museum of Wales.

• Establish a National Gallery of Modern Welsh Art

• Found a chamber for the performing and visual arts to provide studios, seminars and opportunities for collaboration and exchange with artists from other countries.
• Establish an Arts Database for Wales and a web site for the Welsh arts to include details of all arts companies and events.
• Set up a register of Welsh Historic Landscapes, such as medieval landscapes, religious landscapes, parks and gardens, and make this available on the Internet.
• Continue support for community-based theatre work and Theatre in Education.
• Provide better support for libraries, placing them at the forefront of our Information and Communications Technology initiatives.
• Require local councils to produce an annual report on developments and plans in thefield of culture and the arts.
• In consultation with broadcasters, draw up a long term media strategy for Wales.
• Work with broadcasters to enable the replacement of the current London based 6 o’clock news with a ‘Welsh Six’, dealing with British and international news from a Welsh perspective.
• Establish an Assembly Award for the Artistic School of the Year.
• Commission Assembly Artists-in-Residence annually to create work through their medium, inspired and informed by the work and life of the Assembly and Welsh public life.
• Press the Government to designate St David’s Day as a national bank holiday in Wales.

Disability rights

Liberal Democrats will:

• Ensure that the Disability Rights Commission office in Wales is independent from England with a devolved budget.
• Support the development of Disability Action Centres throughout Wales.
• Adopt policies promoting equal citizenship, accessibility, a culture of equality, equal learning opportunities and equal access for employment and grants.
• Make disabled access to polling stations a local council performance indicator.
• Issue guidance to councils to deal with the inequity of community care charging.

• Introduce an Assembly accessible information strategy.

• Ensure all social services departments allow people to opt for direct payments, if they so wish, in place of specific services, as outlined in the 1996 Act.

Economic Development

Liberal Democrats will:

• Place strong emphasis on the need for a far greater spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Wales.

• Establish a Business Birth-rate Strategy for Wales. We will set a target for the annual number of new manufacturing and service businesses created.

• Continue to provide strong, on-going support to established small and medium sized enterprises. We will transfer the responsibility for Business Connect from the Welsh Office to the Welsh Development Agency.

• Maximise efforts amongst all organisations to ensure Wales obtains the fullest benefit from Objective 1 Funding.
• Press for a Welsh Investment Bank to be established, to provide funding for small entrepreneurial businesses as part of the Objective 1 Funding.

• Provide financial incentives for Further Education colleges and universities in Wales to establish new 'spin-off' manufacturing and service businesses.
• Examine the successful approaches used in Ireland to strengthen links between the education system and modern industry and adapt the best for Wales.

• Reinforce the primary message of Wales' Regional Technology Plan: innovation and technology are key to Wales' future success.

• Continue to place strong emphasis on foreign inward investment as well as devote more resources to fostering indigenous businesses. Such inward investment should, as far as practical, be spread throughout Wales.

• Place a much greater emphasis on the provision of jobs in the services sector of the economy through inward investment - again throughout Wales.
• Consult with business through a Partnership Committee of business and employee representatives.

Education and Training

Liberal Democrats will:

• Introduce maximum class sizes of 30 for all primary school. We will do this in the Assembly’s first term. In the longer term, we will work towards a maximum of 25.
• Provide nursery education for all children from the age of 3 years whose parents want it, within the first term of the Assembly.
• Introduce an emergency programme to provide financial incentives for councils to bring school buildings up to a 21^st century standard.
• Oblige councils to take into account the impact on the whole community when considering the closure of rural schools.
• Support for the federating of small schools to allow them to share expertise and resources.

• Use the current review of the National Curriculum to develop some specific initiatives within a slimmed-down format which allows teachers more freedom for professional judgement.

• Introduce, as part of the curriculum, the teaching of a modern foreign language alongside the teaching of Welsh at Key Stages 1 and 2

• Make 'citizenship' a core component of the curriculum.

• Develop the teaching of musical instruments in our schools.

• Provide a level of service and quality in the school meals service that is both nutritionally beneficial and effectively delivered to students.

• Establish a clear, well funded strategy for Welsh schools and colleges to provide up to the minute equipment and training in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
• Support plans for a pilot project to examine the feasibility of a new qualification, the Welsh Baccalaureate.
• Give support for children with special educational needs by improved schools funding.

• Establish a Bureau to provide strategic support for the European dimension in schools, colleges and universities.

• Reform the school inspection system in Wales so that more emphasis is placed on feedback from inspectors.

• Establish a General Teaching Council for Wales in a more radical form than that proposed by the Government.

• Combine the functions of the curriculum Assessment Authority (ACCAC) with the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC).

• Place an obligation on local councils to provide a Youth Service Development Plan, in consultation with and delivered in partnership with the voluntary sector.
• Establish an all Wales careers advice and educational guidance service. It will be impartial, free of charge and available to people of all ages.

• Establish a Wales Council for Lifelong Learning to provide strategic direction in skills training and adult education. It will merge and enhance the powers of the Further Education Funding Council and the Training and Enterprise Councils.

• Require the Higher Education Funding Council to formulate a ten year strategy for the development of higher education in Wales.

• Require local councils, in collaboration with local schools, colleges, universities, major employers etc, to produce learning development plans covering all age groups, so giving impetus to Lifelong Learning. In areas eligible for Objective 1 funding, particularly, this must be given a clear priority.

• Work towards parity of funding between students in sixth-forms in schools and those in Further Education colleges.
• Introduce a package of measures to encourage Lifelong Learning in both Further and Higher education, supported by increased funding.

• Encourage greater collaboration between Further and Higher Education institutions to widen educational opportunities.
• Ensure that Further and Higher Education institutions develop distance learning opportunities and collaborate with the Digital College and UfI in order that all communities in Wales have access to education and training.

• Press for the Open University in Wales to become the responsibility of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

• Develop a tough code of practice for the governance of Further Education colleges.

• Ensure that Further Education colleges are truly representative of the communities they serve.

• Require further education colleges and universities to include in their annual reports the positive contributions they have made to their local communities.

• Require further education colleges and universities, individually or collaboratively, to provide counselling, careers and other services for students of all ages.

Environment

Liberal Democrats will:

• Require the Assembly to set out clearly the environmental implications of all policies.
• Require the First Secretary to report, annually, on the state of the environment in Wales, including a Quality of Life index.
• Require local councils to set environmental targets for pollution levels. They will have to report to the public every year on achievements. We will ensure that local councils place Local Agenda 21 high on their list of priorities.

• Adopt a waste-disposal and recycling strategy for Wales to set targets for reducing the amount of waste produced and for the amount sent to landfill.

• Require all major planning applications to state all environmental implications.
• Ensure that more comprehensive planning guidance is provided on key environmental issues and on the whole question of sustainability.
• Press central government to provide financial incentives, through the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, to ensure that Wales does not become overly dependent on land-based wind-power but is instead able to benefit from diverse sources of renewable energy.
• Initiate a programme of research into renewable energy in Welsh universities financed by the Assembly using European Union funding.

• Encourage the development of ‘brown field’ sites wherever possible. Where development is not practical we will issue guidance for the creation of urban 'green lungs', such as parks.
• Protect and enhance existing green spaces in our towns and cities.
• Tackle air pollution through encouragement of the use of public transport and by making efforts for it to be more reliable and customer friendly.

• Introduce a presumption against allowing out-of-town shopping developments.
• Introduce a presumption against open-cast mining on green field sites and a presumption in favour on 'dirty' sites away from housing.

• Establish Green Belts to protect the countryside around the major urban areas of Wales.

• Issue clear guidance to councils to tackle noise pollution and to press for more comprehensive noise prevention legislation.

• Introduce schemes to encourage community involvement to create sustainable urban communities.
• Implement planning guidance to encourage small businesses to set up and provide jobs in rural Wales.
• Ensure the Assembly uses environmentally-friendly materials.

• Insist that all companies, which work for or benefit from the Assembly, have clear policies which take into account environmental issues.

• Draw up a voluntary code of good environmental practice for all organisations in Wales.

• Collaborate fully, within the UK and Europe, with all organisations seeking to improve the environment. We will lobby firmly where necessary to achieve environmental progress.

Health and Social Services

Liberal Democrats will:

• Introduce a maximum waiting time of six months for patients to see a consultant after referral by a GP. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.
• Introduce a maximum waiting time of six months for patients to receive treatment after seeing a consultant. This will be achieved by the end of the Assembly’s first term.

• Introduce a new NHS Contract for Wales, guaranteeing the services to be provided by the NHS to patients including mental health services.

• Place emphasis on a health service (rather than an ill-health service). We will stress the need for effective health promotion.
• Abolish charges for free eye and dental check-ups.
• Appoint salaried GPs in areas where recruitment of family doctors is difficult.
• Provide funding support for doctors in small practices to alleviate the pressures on doctors.

• Make Health Authorities and Trusts publicly accountable for their effective and efficient management of resources.

• Audit the pay and conditions of nurses in the NHS in Wales. We will pursue the implications of the abolition of the present clinical grading system.
• Give the greatest possible autonomy for Local Health Groups within Health Authorities so that GPs can make clinical decisions without interference.

• Give attendance and speaking rights to Community Health Councils at meetings of NHS Trust Boards, Local Health Groups and Health Authorities.

• Avoid further organisational changes in the National Health Service in Wales in the lifetime of the first National Assembly.

• Establish an independent Welsh Health Policy Forum to advise the Assembly on health matters.

• Set up pilot schemes to achieve more effective working relationships between the health service and social services departments in local councils.
• Establish a ‘one-stop’ advice service for carers.
• Provide a flexible respite care programme for carers.

• Pilot a project to license all people who work with children as a means of combating child abuse.

• Appoint a Commissioner for Children with powers to investigate the local handling of any complaint about a public or voluntary service made by a child.

Housing

Liberal Democrats will:

• Tackle effectively the problem of homelessness.
• Press for legislation to give local councils the power to bring back into use any property left empty, without reasonable cause, for more than 12 months.
• Ensure the analysis of housing need and housing stock is equitable and fair.

• Support the introduction of a National Homes in Multiple Occupation licensing scheme.
• Seek to reverse the decline in funding of improvement grants by the Welsh Office by using existing resources to maximum effect.

• Preserve the right to buy for tenants but enable local councils to buy back properties for social housing when they are next sold.

• Give councils greater discretion on existing means-testing provisions for grants in order to encourage the renewal of whole areas.

• Encourage greater tenant participation and control of their own affairs.
• Press the government to allow councils to introduce a variable premium of up to 100 per cent on the council tax of new second home owners.

• Encourage councils and Registered Social Landlords to work in partnership to improve the provision of affordable and low-cost housing in rural areas.

• Develop a strategic approach to the improvement of private rented accommodation.

• Introduce a benchmark standard for the management of public sector housing by councils and housing associations.

Local Government

Liberal Democrats will:

• Ensure that Wales has a truly 21st century democracy, by establishing an 'innovation fund' to improve councils' links with their constituents.
• Press for a fair, proportional voting system for council elections.

• Press for the introduction of a tougher ethical code of conduct for councillors requiring them to register all personal financial and other interests.
• Encourage councils to establish audit panels to scrutinise their affairs.
• Press for a power of "general competence" giving councils a wider scope for action.

• Ensure, in partnership with the Local Government Association, that the Revenue Support Grant is allocated in a fair and equitable way, according to an agreed formula.

• Seek to reduce central government controls on council spending, gradually over time, so allowing councils to be more accountable.
• Seek a commitment from government for the eventual replacement of the Uniform Business Rate with a locally determined tax on land values.
• Require councils to publish, annually, a report on local taxes raised and how all the council’s income has been spent, against performance objectives.
• Encourage councils, when reviewing their structures, to ensure greater openness and transparency with the electorate.
• Encourage the establishment and development of town and community councils.

Sport

Liberal Democrats will:

• Introduce a package of measures to restore sport in schools and the standards of training particularly in primary schools.

• Require councils, in association with local sports groups, to produce a formal Sports Development Plan and targets.

• Establish, in partnership with the appropriate education and training providers, the Welsh Sports Council and official governing bodies, a standardised system of qualifications in sport and a register of recognised sports coaches.

• Emphasise training programmes for sport and physical education particularly for primary teachers.

• Provide in-service training for teachers at every level and, subject to budget constraints, fund peripatetic physical education and sports specialists to visit schools for a number of hours each week.

Tourism

Liberal Democrats will:

• Recognise tourism as a priority item on the Assembly's economic agenda. We will set a target for tourism to represent 10 per cent of Wales GDP by 2004 (7 per cent,1998).

• Underwrite the role of the Wales Tourist Board as the provider of leadership and strategic direction to the industry.

• Create a new organisational structure for tourism in Wales to embrace the multitude and variety of small businesses involved in tourism.

• Convene an annual tourism conference for all stakeholders in the industry to provide advice and direction on tourism to the Assembly and to review the past year within the context of a 5 year rolling plan.

• Return to the Wales Tourist Board the responsibility for setting-up and overseeing a strategic and integrated network of Tourist Information Centres.

• Support and strengthen the local tourist associations by integrating the work of the TICs with that of the local associations.

• Establish a computerised system, based on the TIC network, to provide up-to-date, credible and reliable statistics on the industry.

• Create and maintain a dedicated web site for Wales, accessible to the trade through TICs, to inform on best tourism practice from across the world.

• Support and widen the Wales Tourist Board pilot business mentoring scheme.

• Establish a three-year match-funded programme to encourage the grass-roots development of new sustainable tourism product drawing inspiration from the natural resources of the environment, language, culture and history of Wales.

• Employ the distinct and powerful image that emerges from the three year product development programme as the basis of an organic, pan-Wales brand.

• Establish a corps of 'Welsh National Tourist Guides' to interpret the new brand and to further inspire the development of creative tourism product.

• Establish a free-standing Wales International Convention Bureau.

Transport

Liberal Democrats will:

• Develop an integrated transport policy and widen the existing Welsh Transport Advisory Group into a Transport Forum.
• Press for legislation to enable the Assembly to establish an All-Wales Passenger Transport Executive.
• Provide an All-Wales telephone help-line, supported by ‘help desks’ in market towns, to provide information on transport availability.
• Revitalise the use of railways for passengers in Wales.

• Prepare a strategic plan to encourage the transfer of more freight from road to rail.
• Promote, with local authorities, improved public transport facilities in rural areas.
• Create Community Transport Fora and the development of Village Transport initiatives in which community councils play an active part in planning and publicising voluntary action.
• Improve the quality of the strategic road network (north-south and east-west).

• Promote, in association with local councils, policies in urban areas which encourage the greater use of public transport.

• Achieve better integration of bus and rail services.

• Develop policies to extend substantially park-and-ride facilities
• Press for improved rail facilities at all relevant sea-ports. There should be new transfer points allowing freight to be collected and delivered; and other lines should be developed to permit the rapid transit of people and freight.

• Develop policies to improve air travel within Wales and ensure that airports have improved access by rail and road.
• Create direct access to the international air network from within Wales, using Cardiff as a regional hub, and complementing the services available from Manchester, Birmingham and the London airports.

• Develop regional airports to ensure an effective pan-Wales air transport infrastructure for fast travel within the nation.

• Develop the required navigation, runway and terminal facilities at these airports. The air network will be self-funding after a three year pump-priming period.

Voluntary Sector

Liberal Democrats will:

• Establish a Partnership Body consisting of members of the Assembly and representatives of the voluntary sector, as part of the Voluntary Sector Scheme.

• Give community groups direct access to funding from the new Community Development Investment Authority. This will be used for matched funding where appropriate.

• Ensure that the maximum benefit is gained from the establishment of the National Assembly Voluntary Sector Centre.
• Adopt and strengthen the ‘compact’ between the Welsh Office and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA).
• Adopt the recommendations of ‘Achieving Shared Aims’ as drawn up by the WCVA and the Welsh Local Government Association.
• Ensure that the voluntary sector’s contribution is taken into account in all Assembly policy-making areas.

Welsh language

Liberal Democrats will:

• Strive for all-party agreement on policies to support and encourage the use of Welsh in schools, colleges, socially and in the work-place, so de-politicising the language issue.
• Support the Welsh Language Board in promoting and facilitating use of the language.
• Ensure parity of status between English and Welsh in a bi-lingual Assembly.
• Publish the proceedings of the Assembly in paper and electronic forms, in the language in which the contribution was made, within twenty-four hours. Full Welsh and English versions of the proceedings to appear simultaneously as soon as practicable thereafter.
• Maintain Welsh as a core requirement of the school curriculum.
• Develop a Welsh Language Scheme for all public sector and voluntary bodies which do not have one.
• Encourage Welsh speakers and young and adult learners to maintain their fluency.

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This manifesto is available in large print or on tape. Please contact the number below to order a copy in your chosen format.

For further information about the Liberal Democrats please contact:

Liberal Democrats Wales

Bay View House

102 Bute Street

Cardiff

CF10 6AD

Tel. 01222 313400

Fax. 01222 313401