Jane Davidson AM

Jane Davidson is Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing following her appointment in July 2007. Her responsibilities also include planning, energy, water, waste and the promotion of walking and cycling. On behalf of the Cabinet she leads on Climate Change and Sustainability.

Previously she was the National Assembly Education and Life-Long Learning Minister responsible for all aspects of education, training and life-long learning from 2000 - 2007.

Jane Davidson is married with three children and lives in Gwaelod y Garth.

Educated at Malvern Girls' College, Birmingham University and the University of Wales, Jane taught at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi in Cardigan and Coedylan School, Pontypridd. Jane is an experienced youth and community worker and former Cardiff City Councillor.

Prior to entering the Assembly, Jane worked for the Youth Hotel Association in Wales, ran an anti-poverty organisation and was responsible for health, housing and social care for the Welsh Local Government Association.

Jane is a keen walker and cyclist and recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Until her appointment as Minister, she was the Vice President of the Ramblers in Wales and has walked most of Wales' long distance footpaths and regularly cycles to the Assembly.

Jane was delighted to have been placed 3rd in the Independent on Sunday’s Green List of the top 100 environmental campaigners in the UK.

Writing to Ministers

Contact Jane Davidson by email at: correspondence.jane.davidson@wales.gsi.gov.uk

We aim to provide a response to correspondence to Ministers, including electronic mail within 17 working days.  Ministers will respond to matters that fall within their portfolio. Please follow the spotlight ‘Writing to Ministers’ on the right hand side to direct your correspondence to the right Minister.

The Environment, Sustainability and Housing portfolio includes the following:

• Cross-cutting responsibility for sustainable development;
• Cross-cutting measures of mitigation and adaptation in relation to climate change;
• Responsibilities for Energy policy;
• All aspects of planning policy, including the issue of statutory guidance to local authorities;
• Determination of planning disputes and appeals;
• Land drainage, flood prevention and coastal protection;
• Control of marine pollution in Welsh waters;
• The control of air pollution in Wales (except vehicle emissions);
• Waste management in Wales including: implementation and review of the Wales waste strategy; regulation of local authority responsibilities for managing municipal waste; regulation of waste management, including European Union, UK and National Assembly for Wales legislation; support for sustainable resource management; contaminated land;
• The control of water quality and safeguarding of water resources in Wales, including regulation of drinking water quality, and the taking of special measures in time of drought;
• The oversight of the Dŵr Cymru and Dee Valley water companies, including their activities of those parts of their operational areas in England (ie parts of Herefordshire and Cheshire);
• The construction or enlargement of reservoirs, and the undertaking of ancillary works, in Wales by any person or corporation;
• National Parks;
• All activities of the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency;
• Access to the countryside, including coastal access, rights of way and common land;
• Marine, terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity and nature conservation;
• Promotion and development of cycling;
• Allocation of housing resources to local authorities and to housing associations in Wales, and oversight of their activities;
• Oversight and regulation of the activities of registered social landlords in Wales, and of the private rented sector;
• The provision of housing in Wales for those with support needs;
• Regeneration of problem estates and of low-grade housing in Wales;
• The exemption of certain classes of building from Building Regulations, and the determination of appeals on matters relating to them, but not Building Regulations more generally (not devolved);
• The regulation of commercial tenancies let by local authorities;
• Domestic energy including the provision of grants to aid energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty;
• The prescription of persons who are not to be eligible for housing assistance (not housing benefit).