Agenda and decisions

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the First Minister

The Presiding Officer will call the Party Leaders to ask questions without notice to the First Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

 

Supporting documents:

Decision:

The item started at 13.30

The first 11 questions were asked. The Deputy Presiding Officer invited party leaders to ask questions to the First Minister after Question 2.

(30 mins)

2.

Business Statement and Announcement

Supporting documents:

Decision:

The item started at 14.17

(30 mins)

3.

Statement by the Minister for Finance: Progress on the development of European Structural Fund Programmes 2014-20

Decision:

The item started at 14.27

(30 mins)

4.

Statement by the Minister for Finance: The Draft Budget 2014-15

Decision:

The item started at 15.00

(60 mins)

5.

Debate on Direct Payments of Housing Costs to Tenants in Wales

NDM5315 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the UK Government's continuing plans to introduce direct payments;

2. Calls again on the UK Government to change its policy on direct payments to reflect the likely negative impact on many tenants, as well the risk to the financial viability of housing organisations; and

3. Commends work by housing and other organisations to help people to cope with the changes.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

In point 1, delete all after ‘plans’ and replace with:

‘to standardise direct payments introduced by the previous UK Labour Government’

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert at the end of point 1:

‘which offer the potential to empower people through greater control over their finances and provide a clearer route into work and independence.’

Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Welcomes the ‘Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework’, issued by the UK Government and compiled jointly with agencies including the Welsh Local Government Association, which lists the support available to claimants needing payment of housing costs directly to landlords.

The Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-local-support-services-framework

[If amendment 3 is agreed, amendment 4 will be de-selected]

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the UK Government to carefully examine the full findings of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects which will conclude at the end of December 2013.

Amendment  5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Believes that direct payments could lead to more evictions, resulting in additional costs to evict and re-house individuals, and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and housing associations to implement best practice on avoiding evictions.

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities, credit unions and housing associations to consider the best ways to make financial products with built-in budgeting features more widely available and to promote the use of money advice services to tenants, in order to help those affected by direct payments.

 

 

Decision:

The item started at 15.40

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM5315 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the UK Government's continuing plans to introduce direct payments;

2. Calls again on the UK Government to change its policy on direct payments to reflect the likely negative impact on many tenants, as well the risk to the financial viability of housing organisations; and

3. Commends work by housing and other organisations to help people to cope with the changes.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

In point 1, delete all after ‘plans’ and replace with:

‘to standardise direct payments introduced by the previous UK Labour Government’

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

33

50

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert at the end of point 1:

‘which offer the potential to empower people through greater control over their finances and provide a clearer route into work and independence.’

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

34

51

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Welcomes the ‘Universal Credit Local Support Services Framework’, issued by the UK Government and compiled jointly with agencies including the Welsh Local Government Association, which lists the support available to claimants needing payment of housing costs directly to landlords.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

33

50

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the UK Government to carefully examine the full findings of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects which will conclude at the end of December 2013.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

34

51

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment  5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Believes that direct payments could lead to more evictions, resulting in additional costs to evict and re-house individuals, and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and housing associations to implement best practice on avoiding evictions.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

34

12

5

51

Amendment 5 was agreed.

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities, credit unions and housing associations to consider the best ways to make financial products with built-in budgeting features more widely available and to promote the use of money advice services to tenants, in order to help those affected by direct payments.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

51

0

0

51

Amendment 6 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5315 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the UK Government's continuing plans to introduce direct payments;

2. Calls again on the UK Government to change its policy on direct payments to reflect the likely negative impact on many tenants, as well the risk to the financial viability of housing organisations; and

3. Commends work by housing and other organisations to help people to cope with the changes.

4. Believes that direct payments could lead to more evictions, resulting in additional costs to evict and re-house individuals, and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and housing associations to implement best practice on avoiding evictions.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities, credit unions and housing associations to consider the best ways to make financial products with built-in budgeting features more widely available and to promote the use of money advice services to tenants, in order to help those affected by direct payments.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

34

0

17

51

The motion as amended was agreed.

(60 mins)

6.

Debate on the General Principles of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Bill

NDM5316 Gwenda Thomas (Neath)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Assembly on 28 January 2013;

The report of Health and Social Care Committee on the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill was laid before the Assembly on 18 July 2013.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of the motion:

Notes the importance of individual advocacy in ensuring that the best interests of people reliant upon social services are met.

Supporting Documents
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill
Explanatory Memorandum
The report of Health and Social Care Committee on the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill
Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee report

Decision:

The item started at 16.37

NDM5316 Gwenda Thomas (Neath)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of the motion:

Notes the importance of individual advocacy in ensuring that the best interests of people reliant upon social services are met.

Amendment 1 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Voting on the motion as amended under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5316 Gwenda Thomas (Neath)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill.

Notes the importance of individual advocacy in ensuring that the best interests of people reliant upon social services are met.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

46

0

5

51

The motion as amended was agreed.

(5 mins)

7.

Motion to approve the Financial Resolution in respect of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Bill

NDM5317 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69 arising in consequence of the Bill.

 

Decision:

The item started at 17.51

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM5317 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69 arising in consequence of the Bill.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

46

0

5

51

The motion was agreed.

(60 mins)

8.

Debate on the General Principles of the National Health Service Finance (Wales) Bill

NDM5318 Mark Drakeford (Cardiff West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the National Health Service Finance (Wales) Bill.

The National Health Service Finance (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Assembly on 30 September 2013.

Supporting Documents
The National Health Service Finance (Wales) Bill
Explanatory Memorandum

 

Decision:

The item started at 17.53

NDM5318 Mark Drakeford (Cardiff West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the National Health Service Finance (Wales) Bill.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(5 mins)

9.

Motion to approve the Financial Resolution in respect of the National Health Service Finance (Wales) Bill

NDM5319 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the National Health Service (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

 

Decision:

The item started at 18.36

NDM5319 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the National Health Service (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Voting Time

 

The item started at 18.37

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

Record of Proceedings

Supporting documents: