Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 74(v3) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 07/06/2017 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

Record of Proceedings

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government

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

Questions 1-2 and 4-8 were asked. Question 3 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

(0 mins)

2.

Questions to the Assembly Commission

No questions were tabled.

Minutes:

No questions were tabled.

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To the First Minister:

Steffan Lewis (South Wales East): Will the First Minister make a statement on relations between the Welsh and Qatari Governments following the severing of diplomatic ties with that country by its neighbours?

Minutes:

The item started at 14.16

To the First Minister:

Steffan Lewis (South Wales East): Will the First Minister make a statement on relations between the Welsh and Qatari Governments following the severing of diplomatic ties with that country by its neighbours?

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 14.32

Mike Hedges made a statement on the Tabernacle Chapel, Morriston.

Jeremy Miles made a statement on volunteering.

Rhun ap Iorwerth made a statement on Irfon Williams, Hawl i Fyw (Fighting Chance) campaigner, on the day of his funeral.

(60 mins)

5.

Welsh Conservatives debate

NDM6322 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the acute shortage of homes available to younger people and families to purchase or rent at prices near the historical trend.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to base its calculation of housing need on the alternative projection contained in the Future Need and Demand for Housing in Wales.

3. Further calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) publish a strategy to secure more land, including brownfield sites, to be made available for home building;

b) deliver greater investment in vocational skills for the construction sector and in the development of modern apprenticeships; and

c) examine options for family living in higher density urban settings, following best practice in many European cities.

'Future Need and Demand for Housing in Wales'

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that the Welsh Government is committed to meeting the varied housing needs of the people of Wales, working in partnership with private builders, the private rented sector, councils and housing associations.

2. Welcomes the Welsh Government's commitments to:

a) build a further 20,000 affordable homes by 2021, including 6,000 through Help to Buy – Wales and 1,000 through its new Rent to Own scheme;

b) work with developers to encourage and facilitate their wider work to build market homes and unlock the potential of SMEs to build homes and deliver skilled jobs throughout Wales;

c) protect the existing social housing stock and encourage investment by housing associations and councils in the provision of new homes by abolishing the Right to Buy;

d) invest in the development of innovative approaches to housing construction to meet challenges including changing demographic patterns and the need for energy efficient homes;

e) continue to bring empty homes back into use and include the provision of housing in its regeneration schemes;

f) make more land, including publicly owned land, available for housing developments;

g) continue raising standards in the private rented sector and act on letting agents' fees to tenants; and

h) build on the success of its early intervention approach to homelessness by working with partners to tackle the problems of rough sleepers.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new points after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

Notes that letting fees act as a barrier for low income households to move homes within the private rented sector, and that this can drive the quality of homes down as it removes the ability of households to leave unsuitable accommodation.

Calls on the Welsh Government to ban letting agent fees.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert as new sub-point at end of point 3:

"examine ways in which the planning system can be further used to prioritise building homes for first time buyers and families, and avoid new developments becoming disproportionately dominated by buy to let ownership and second home ownership."

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Notes that new housing developments, to be sustainable, requires investment in transport infrastructure (including investment in public transport and active travel), and investment in public services and community facilities to serve the additional population.

Regrets that austerity has meant that investments in public services and community facilities are not possible, and believes that some proposals for housing development may be unsustainable as a result.

Minutes:

The item started at 14.37

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6322 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the acute shortage of homes available to younger people and families to purchase or rent at prices near the historical trend.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to base its calculation of housing need on the alternative projection contained in the Future Need and Demand for Housing in Wales.

3. Further calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) publish a strategy to secure more land, including brownfield sites, to be made available for home building;

b) deliver greater investment in vocational skills for the construction sector and in the development of modern apprenticeships; and

c) examine options for family living in higher density urban settings, following best practice in many European cities.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

31

46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that the Welsh Government is committed to meeting the varied housing needs of the people of Wales, working in partnership with private builders, the private rented sector, councils and housing associations.

2. Welcomes the Welsh Government's commitments to:

a) build a further 20,000 affordable homes by 2021, including 6,000 through Help to Buy – Wales and 1,000 through its new Rent to Own scheme;

b) work with developers to encourage and facilitate their wider work to build market homes and unlock the potential of SMEs to build homes and deliver skilled jobs throughout Wales;

c) protect the existing social housing stock and encourage investment by housing associations and councils in the provision of new homes by abolishing the Right to Buy;

d) invest in the development of innovative approaches to housing construction to meet challenges including changing demographic patterns and the need for energy efficient homes;

e) continue to bring empty homes back into use and include the provision of housing in its regeneration schemes;

f) make more land, including publicly owned land, available for housing developments;

g) continue raising standards in the private rented sector and act on letting agents' fees to tenants; and

h) build on the success of its early intervention approach to homelessness by working with partners to tackle the problems of rough sleepers.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

21

47

Amendment 1 was agreed.

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

As Amendment 1 was agreed Amendment 3 was de-selected.

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Notes that new housing developments, to be sustainable, requires investment in transport infrastructure (including investment in public transport and active travel), and investment in public services and community facilities to serve the additional population.

Regrets that austerity has meant that investments in public services and community facilities are not possible, and believes that some proposals for housing development may be unsustainable as a result.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

36

47

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6322 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that the Welsh Government is committed to meeting the varied housing needs of the people of Wales, working in partnership with private builders, the private rented sector, councils and housing associations.

2. Welcomes the Welsh Government's commitments to:

a) build a further 20,000 affordable homes by 2021, including 6,000 through Help to Buy – Wales and 1,000 through its new Rent to Own scheme;

b) work with developers to encourage and facilitate their wider work to build market homes and unlock the potential of SMEs to build homes and deliver skilled jobs throughout Wales;

c) protect the existing social housing stock and encourage investment by housing associations and councils in the provision of new homes by abolishing the Right to Buy;

d) invest in the development of innovative approaches to housing construction to meet challenges including changing demographic patterns and the need for energy efficient homes;

e) continue to bring empty homes back into use and include the provision of housing in its regeneration schemes;

f) make more land, including publicly owned land, available for housing developments;

g) continue raising standards in the private rented sector and act on letting agents' fees to tenants; and

h) build on the success of its early intervention approach to homelessness by working with partners to tackle the problems of rough sleepers.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

21

47

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

(30 mins)

6.

Plaid Cymru debate

NDM6325 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that European payments comprise 80 per cent of farm income in Wales and that the purpose of these payments has been to ensure reasonably priced, high quality and high welfare food for the consumer.

2. Notes with concern that irresponsible trade deals could lead to Wales being flooded with cheap imported food, harming the agricultural industry, rural economy and public health.

3. Believes that the UK Government must deliver on the promises of its prominent Leave campaigners and guarantee that European funding for agriculture and rural development is replaced its entirety.

4. Believes that, in order to give protection to Welsh farmers and rural communities, the UK Government should seek the endorsement of each UK country before any trade deal is be signed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Notes the commitment of the current UK Government to provide the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the next UK parliament.

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Notes the commitment of the current UK Government to work with Welsh farmers, food producers, environmental experts and the Welsh Government to devise a new agri-environment system.

Minutes:

The item started at 15.34

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6325 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that European payments comprise 80 per cent of farm income in Wales and that the purpose of these payments has been to ensure reasonably priced, high quality and high welfare food for the consumer.

2. Notes with concern that irresponsible trade deals could lead to Wales being flooded with cheap imported food, harming the agricultural industry, rural economy and public health.

3. Believes that the UK Government must deliver on the promises of its prominent Leave campaigners and guarantee that European funding for agriculture and rural development is replaced its entirety.

4. Believes that, in order to give protection to Welsh farmers and rural communities, the UK Government should seek the endorsement of each UK country before any trade deal is be signed.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

32

0

15

47

The motion without amendment was agreed

(30 mins)

7.

Plaid Cymru debate

NDM6326 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the result of last year's EU referendum.

2. Recognises that Wales has unique needs and requirements throughout the Brexit process.

3. Notes the importance of Wales insulating itself from the economic uncertainty of Brexit, as well as grasping the new legislative and economic opportunities created beyond our departure from the EU.

4. Calls on the UK Government to ensure:

a) that the National Assembly for Wales has a veto over any foreign trade deal;

b) that fiscal powers over VAT and APD are devolved to the National Assembly for Wales at the earliest opportunity and that further consideration is given to a unique Welsh corporation tax rate;

c) that procurement powers are devolved to Wales to enable the Welsh Government to stipulate greater involvement of Welsh businesses in the procurement process to promote Welsh businesses; and

d) that Wales does not receive a penny less in funding (as promised during the EU referendum campaign) and that a new investment package is brought forward to insulate the Welsh economy throughout the economic uncertainty caused by Brexit.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward plans for a Welsh migration service and work with the UK Government to bring forward UK legislation to allow regional visas to allow Wales to have an immigration policy that works for its public services and economy.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Notes the Prime Minister's commitment to securing the best Brexit deal for Wales and the United Kingdom.

Welcomes the UK Conservative Government's guarantee that there will be no roll-back of powers from the devolved administrations, and that decision-making powers in Wales will be increased.

Recognises the importance of Wales and the United Kingdom embracing the trade and economic opportunities presented by leaving the European Union.

Supports the UK Government's plan to introduce a United Kingdom shared prosperity fund.

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

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) 

Delete all after point 2 and replace with:

Believes that Wales' circumstances and future needs are best set out in the White Paper Securing Wales' Future.

'Securing Wales' Future'

Minutes:

The item started at 16.06

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6326 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the result of last year's EU referendum.

2. Recognises that Wales has unique needs and requirements throughout the Brexit process.

3. Notes the importance of Wales insulating itself from the economic uncertainty of Brexit, as well as grasping the new legislative and economic opportunities created beyond our departure from the EU.

4. Calls on the UK Government to ensure:

a) that the National Assembly for Wales has a veto over any foreign trade deal;

b) that fiscal powers over VAT and APD are devolved to the National Assembly for Wales at the earliest opportunity and that further consideration is given to a unique Welsh corporation tax rate;

c) that procurement powers are devolved to Wales to enable the Welsh Government to stipulate greater involvement of Welsh businesses in the procurement process to promote Welsh businesses; and

d) that Wales does not receive a penny less in funding (as promised during the EU referendum campaign) and that a new investment package is brought forward to insulate the Welsh economy throughout the economic uncertainty caused by Brexit.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward plans for a Welsh migration service and work with the UK Government to bring forward UK legislation to allow regional visas to allow Wales to have an immigration policy that works for its public services and economy.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

7

0

40

47

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Notes the Prime Minister's commitment to securing the best Brexit deal for Wales and the United Kingdom.

Welcomes the UK Conservative Government's guarantee that there will be no roll-back of powers from the devolved administrations, and that decision-making powers in Wales will be increased.

Recognises the importance of Wales and the United Kingdom embracing the trade and economic opportunities presented by leaving the European Union.

Supports the UK Government's plan to introduce a United Kingdom shared prosperity fund.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

32

47

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) 

Delete all after point 2 and replace with:

Believes that Wales' circumstances and future needs are best set out in the White Paper Securing Wales' Future.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

6

15

47

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6326 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the result of last year's EU referendum.

2. Recognises that Wales has unique needs and requirements throughout the Brexit process.

3. Believes that Wales' circumstances and future needs are best set out in the White Paper Securing Wales' Future.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

32

0

15

47

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

8.

Voting time

Minutes:

The item started at 16.36

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

9.

Short Debate

NDM6319 Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Solving Wales's housing shortage

Minutes:

The item started at 16.41

NDM6319 Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Solving Wales's housing shortage