Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 32(v2) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 16/11/2016 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

Record of Proceedings

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

The first 12 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

(5 mins)

2.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 14.16

Angela Burns made a statement on the launch of the cross-party group on sepsis.

Russell George made a statement on the 200th anniversary of the birth of John Roberts, Harpist of Wales.

Rhun ap Iorwerth made a statement on the launch of the North West Wales branch of Blood Bikes Wales.

(30 mins)

3.

Motion to approve the Assembly Commission's Budget 2017-18

NDM6139 Suzy Davies (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 20.16:

Agrees the budget of the Assembly Commission for  2017-18, as specified in Table 1 of the "National Assembly for Wales Assembly Commission Budget 2017-18", laid before the Assembly on 9 November 2016 and that it be incorporated in the Annual Budget Motion under Standing Order 20.26 (ii).

Supporting documents

Finance Committee report - Scrutiny of the Assembly Commission Draft Budget 2017-18

Assembly Commission response letter to the Finance Committee

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.20

NDM6139 Suzy Davies (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 20.16:

Agrees the budget of the Assembly Commission for  2017-18, as specified in Table 1 of the "National Assembly for Wales Assembly Commission Budget 2017-18", laid before the Assembly on 9 November 2016 and that it be incorporated in the Annual Budget Motion under Standing Order 20.26 (ii).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(30 mins)

4.

Plaid Cymru debate

NDM6145 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the significant contribution made by workers from overseas to the care and treatment of patients within the NHS.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government, through negotiation with the UK Government, to secure powers to issue work permits for overseas nationals to work in the Welsh NHS.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the UK Government to ensure the Welsh NHS remains able to recruit qualified healthcare workers born and trained overseas, if and when necessary, after the UK leaves the EU, and to explore all options to facilitate that.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales):

Delete point 2.

Amendment 3. Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to support sensible UK immigration controls, including a work-permit and visa regime to fill skills gaps in the Welsh NHS.

Minutes:

The item started at 14.35

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6145 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the significant contribution made by workers from overseas to the care and treatment of patients within the NHS.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government, through negotiation with the UK Government, to secure powers to issue work permits for overseas nationals to work in the Welsh NHS.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

8

10

28

46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the UK Government to ensure the Welsh NHS remains able to recruit qualified healthcare workers born and trained overseas, if and when necessary, after the UK leaves the EU, and to explore all options to facilitate that.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

35

4

7

46

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As Amendment 1 was agreed, Amendment 2 was de-selected

Amendment 3. Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to support sensible UK immigration controls, including a work-permit and visa regime to fill skills gaps in the Welsh NHS.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

4

10

32

46

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6145 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the significant contribution made by workers from overseas to the care and treatment of patients within the NHS.

2. Calls on the UK Government to ensure the Welsh NHS remains able to recruit qualified healthcare workers born and trained overseas, if and when necessary, after the UK leaves the EU, and to explore all options to facilitate that.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

45

0

0

45

The motion as amended was agreed.

(30 mins)

5.

Plaid Cymru debate

NDM6146 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the UK Government is reported to have received £8 billion from the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS), in accordance with current arrangements which sees it receiving 50 percent of the MPS surplus, and further notes that the UK Government received £750 million in surplus payments in 2014 alone;

2. Calls for a review of the fifty-fifty surplus sharing arrangement between the UK Government and MPS, as advocated by the National Union of Mineworkers.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with other devolved administrations, and local and regional leaders in England, to secure a UK Government review of the MPS surplus arrangements and to seek a continuation of the UK Government to act as guarantor of the MPS.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of Motion:

Recognises that the presence of the guarantee has enabled the trustees to invest in a way that has generated surpluses and as a consequence bonuses to members.

Minutes:

The item started at 15.01

NDM6146 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the UK Government is reported to have received £8 billion from the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme (MPS), in accordance with current arrangements which sees it receiving 50 percent of the MPS surplus, and further notes that the UK Government received £750 million in surplus payments in 2014 alone;

2. Calls for a review of the fifty-fifty surplus sharing arrangement between the UK Government and MPS, as advocated by the National Union of Mineworkers.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with other devolved administrations, and local and regional leaders in England, to secure a UK Government review of the MPS surplus arrangements and to seek a continuation of the UK Government to act as guarantor of the MPS.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

6.

Welsh Conservatives debate

NDM6140 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the important and valuable contribution made to Welsh society by older people.

2. Believes that older people deserve dignity and respect, as well as independence and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives.

3. Regrets the Welsh Government's failure to provide security for older people by setting a cap on costs and protecting £100,000 of assets for those in residential care ensuring people do not lose their life savings and homes to care costs.

4. Notes the findings from a dementia report produced by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales that highlighted the difficulties those with dementia have in accessing the information, support, and services that can make a big difference to their lives.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) Introduce an Older People's Rights Bill, to extend and promote the rights of older people;

b) Place a duty on public sector bodies to consult older people when making decisions which affect their lives; and

c) Make Wales the first dementia-friendly nation in the UK.

'Dementia Report'

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Notes the Welsh Government's commitment to increase the capital limit to £50,000, which will enable more people in Wales to keep more of their assets when entering residential care.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the ongoing delays by the UK Government to the reform of the arrangements for paying for care.

Amendment 3. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 5 and replace with:

Notes that:

a) the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has suggested an Older People’s Rights Bill for Wales;

b) the Welsh Government supports the principles of a Bill;

c) the Welsh Government will take further action to make Wales a dementia friendly country through developing and implementing a new national dementia plan.

[If amendment 3 is agreed, amendments 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be de-selected]

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete sub-point 5a), and replace with:

‘supports the work of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales in working towards extending and promoting the rights of older people;’

Amendment 5. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete sub-point 5b) and replace with:

‘supports the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales in ensuring the voices of older people are heard in relation to the planning of public services;’

Amendment 6. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new sub-point at end of point 5:

‘build more supported housing to broaden choice and compliment residential and institutional care.’

Amendment 7. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new sub-point at end of point 5:

‘work with police and crime commissioners and local authorities to protect older people from scams, mis-selling and other forms of financial exploitation.’

Minutes:

The item started at 15.30

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6140 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the important and valuable contribution made to Welsh society by older people.

2. Believes that older people deserve dignity and respect, as well as independence and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives.

3. Regrets the Welsh Government's failure to provide security for older people by setting a cap on costs and protecting £100,000 of assets for those in residential care ensuring people do not lose their life savings and homes to care costs.

4. Notes the findings from a dementia report produced by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales that highlighted the difficulties those with dementia have in accessing the information, support, and services that can make a big difference to their lives.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) Introduce an Older People's Rights Bill, to extend and promote the rights of older people;

b) Place a duty on public sector bodies to consult older people when making decisions which affect their lives; and

c) Make Wales the first dementia-friendly nation in the UK.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

16

0

30

46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Notes the Welsh Government's commitment to increase the capital limit to £50,000, which will enable more people in Wales to keep more of their assets when entering residential care.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

21

46

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the ongoing delays by the UK Government to the reform of the arrangements for paying for care.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

4

17

46

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete point 5 and replace with:

Notes that:

a) the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has suggested an Older People’s Rights Bill for Wales;

b) the Welsh Government supports the principles of a Bill;

c) the Welsh Government will take further action to make Wales a dementia friendly country through developing and implementing a new national dementia plan.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

21

46

Amendment 3 was agreed.

As Amendment 3 was agreed, Amendments 4, 5, 6 and 7 were de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6140 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the important and valuable contribution made to Welsh society by older people.

2. Believes that older people deserve dignity and respect, as well as independence and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives.

3. Notes the Welsh Government's commitment to increase the capital limit to £50,000, which will enable more people in Wales to keep more of their assets when entering residential care.

4. Regrets the ongoing delays by the UK Government to the reform of the arrangements for paying for care.

5. Notes the findings from a dementia report produced by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales that highlighted the difficulties those with dementia have in accessing the information, support, and services that can make a big difference to their lives.

6. Notes that:

a) the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has suggested an Older People’s Rights Bill for Wales;

b) the Welsh Government supports the principles of a Bill;

c) the Welsh Government will take further action to make Wales a dementia friendly country through developing and implementing a new national dementia plan.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

32

4

10

46

The motion as amended was agreed.

(60 mins)

7.

United Kingdom Independence Party Debate

NDM6141
 
Mark Reckless (South East Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Supports the abolition of tolls on the Severn bridges following their return to the public sector.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete all and replace with:

1. Calls on the Welsh and UK governments to explore all aspects of funding for both Severn bridges on their return to public ownership.

2. Notes that previous assessments have indicated that traffic volumes would increase by at least 25 per cent if tolls were removed

3. Calls for a traffic assessment to be undertaken by Traffic Wales in order to inform the decision to remove tolls based on the ability of the surrounding transport system to deal with any increases in traffic

4. Believes that if the long term future of both bridges can be secured through existing budgets with no impact on other transport projects around Wales, then toll free use of the bridges should be a priority.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Delete all and replace with:

Calls for the responsibility for the Severn bridges to be devolved when they return to public ownership, and supports the abolition of tolls payable on the crossings.

Amendment 3. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points 1 and 2 and renumber accordingly:

1. Notes the benefit removing tolls on the Severn bridges would have on the economy of Wales.

2. Believes there is no case for continuing to charge tolls on the Severn bridges to fund ongoing maintenance once the concession ends as they represent an unfair tax on the people and businesses of Wales.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.28

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6141 Mark Reckless (South East Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Supports the abolition of tolls on the Severn bridges following their return to the public sector.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

4

0

42

46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete all and replace with:

1. Calls on the Welsh and UK governments to explore all aspects of funding for both Severn bridges on their return to public ownership.

2. Notes that previous assessments have indicated that traffic volumes would increase by at least 25 per cent if tolls were removed

3. Calls for a traffic assessment to be undertaken by Traffic Wales in order to inform the decision to remove tolls based on the ability of the surrounding transport system to deal with any increases in traffic

4. Believes that if the long term future of both bridges can be secured through existing budgets with no impact on other transport projects around Wales, then toll free use of the bridges should be a priority.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

0

36

46

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Delete all and replace with:

Calls for the responsibility for the Severn bridges to be devolved when they return to public ownership, and supports the abolition of tolls payable on the crossings.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

29

46

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points 1 and 2 and renumber accordingly:

1. Notes the benefit removing tolls on the Severn bridges would have on the economy of Wales.

2. Believes there is no case for continuing to charge tolls on the Severn bridges to fund ongoing maintenance once the concession ends as they represent an unfair tax on the people and businesses of Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

29

10

7

46

Amendment 3 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6141 Mark Reckless (South East Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the benefit removing tolls on the Severn bridges would have on the economy of Wales.

2. Believes there is no case for continuing to charge tolls on the Severn bridges to fund ongoing maintenance once the concession ends as they represent an unfair tax on the people and businesses of Wales.

3. Supports the abolition of tolls on the Severn bridges following their return to the public sector.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

45

1

0

46

The motion as amended was agreed.

8.

Voting time

Minutes:

The item started at 17.16

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

9.

Short Debate

NDM6142 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

The value of small and medium-sized enterprises to the Welsh economy

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.25

NDM6142 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

The value of small and medium-sized enterprises to the Welsh economy

(30 mins)

10.

Short Debate - postponed from 9 November

NDM6133 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

The loss of heart research at Cardiff Medical School

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.45

NDM6133 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

The loss of heart research at Cardiff Medical School