Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 142(v3) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 06/06/2018 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport

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

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. Question 7 was answered by the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

 

(20 mins)

2.

Questions to the Counsel General

Minutes:

The item started at 14.22

The 4 questions were asked.

 

3.

Topical Questions

No Topical Questions have been accepted

Minutes:

No topical questions were accepted.

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 14.36

Vikki Howells made a statement on Cynon Valley girls key to “Team GB” success in 2018 Aerobic World Championships.

 

(60 mins)

5.

Welsh Conservatives debate - Urban Renewal

NDM6734 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of Wales’s urban areas as engines of economic growth, learning and creativity.

2. Believes that there is a requirement for an ambitious national strategy for urban renewal in Wales which would help make our towns and cities fit for the 21st Century.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Conservative white paper entitled ‘Liveable Cities’, which aims to build cities and urban areas that are socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and that are built on the principle of the health and well-being of citizens.

 'Liveable Cities'

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 – Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete points 2 and 3 and replace with:

Notes the importance of supporting communities across all parts of Wales, both urban and rural, to ensure that they are attractive to invest, work, live, visit and study in.

Believes that supporting inclusive growth and building resilient, liveable communities requires a joined up approach to key interventions including economic development, regeneration investment, transport, infrastructure development, planning and skills.

Notes the Welsh Government’s recent Economic Action Plan, Targeted Regeneration Investment Fund, Valleys Taskforce Delivery Plan and National Development Framework consultation as the basis for a genuinely cross-government approach to supporting inclusive growth and building resilient, liveable communities.

Recognises the importance of working with partners including local authorities, city and growth deal regions, housing associations, Transport for Wales and the Development Bank of Wales to promote effective place-making. 

Prosperity for All: Economic Action Plan

Our Valleys, Our Future: Delivery Plan

Consultation: National Development Framework

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

Amendment 2 – Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 3, replace 'welcomes' with 'notes'.

Amendment 3 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on Welsh Government to introduce a clean air Act to tackle illegal and dangerous levels of air pollution in Wales’s cities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.38

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6734 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of Wales’s urban areas as engines of economic growth, learning and creativity.

2. Believes that there is a requirement for an ambitious national strategy for urban renewal in Wales which would help make our towns and cities fit for the 21st Century.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Conservative white paper entitled ‘Liveable Cities’, which aims to build cities and urban areas that are socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and that are built on the principle of the health and well-being of citizens.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

0

34

52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 – Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete points 2 and 3 and replace with:

Notes the importance of supporting communities across all parts of Wales, both urban and rural, to ensure that they are attractive to invest, work, live, visit and study in.

Believes that supporting inclusive growth and building resilient, liveable communities requires a joined up approach to key interventions including economic development, regeneration investment, transport, infrastructure development, planning and skills.

Notes the Welsh Government’s recent Economic Action Plan, Targeted Regeneration Investment Fund, Valleys Taskforce Delivery Plan and National Development Framework consultation as the basis for a genuinely cross-government approach to supporting inclusive growth and building resilient, liveable communities.

Recognises the importance of working with partners including local authorities, city and growth deal regions, housing associations, Transport for Wales and the Development Bank of Wales to promote effective place-making. 

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

28

1

23

52

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was de-selected.

Amendment 3 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on Welsh Government to introduce a clean air Act to tackle illegal and dangerous levels of air pollution in Wales’s cities.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

27

53

 As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6734 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of Wales’s urban areas as engines of economic growth, learning and creativity.

2. Notes the importance of supporting communities across all parts of Wales, both urban and rural, to ensure that they are attractive to invest, work, live, visit and study in.

3. Believes that supporting inclusive growth and building resilient, liveable communities requires a joined up approach to key interventions including economic development, regeneration investment, transport, infrastructure development, planning and skills.

4. Notes the Welsh Government’s recent Economic Action Plan, Targeted Regeneration Investment Fund, Valleys Taskforce Delivery Plan and National Development Framework consultation as the basis for a genuinely cross-government approach to supporting inclusive growth and building resilient, liveable communities.

5. Recognises the importance of working with partners including local authorities, city and growth deal regions, housing associations, Transport for Wales and the Development Bank of Wales to promote effective place-making. 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

27

12

13

52

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

(60 mins)

6.

Plaid Cymru debate - Establishing a publicly owned energy company

NDM6735 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Plaid Cymru’s long-standing proposal for establishing a publicly owned energy company, Ynni Cymru.

2. Notes the Welsh Labour party’s 2017 manifesto commitment to support “the creation of publicly owned, locally accountable energy companies and co-operatives to rival existing private energy suppliers, with at least one in every region”.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a publicly owned energy company.

Welsh Labour Manifesto 2017 - Standing up for Wales

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Julie James (Swansea West)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

Notes the work carried out with stakeholders by Welsh Government indicated we should not pursue a Wales wide energy supply company, but continue to explore other mechanisms of delivering benefits to Wales in line with Welsh Government’s stated priorities and targets.

 

Recognises the contribution of Welsh Government-funded programmes, such as Warm Homes, Nest and Arbed, Local Energy, Green Growth Wales and the Smart Living programme creating locally owned energy businesses as part of the transition to a low carbon economy.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.44

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

Plaid Cymru debate - Establishing a publicly owned energy company

NDM6735 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Plaid Cymru’s long-standing proposal for establishing a publicly owned energy company, Ynni Cymru.

2. Notes the Welsh Labour party’s 2017 manifesto commitment to support “the creation of publicly owned, locally accountable energy companies and co-operatives to rival existing private energy suppliers, with at least one in every region”.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a publicly owned energy company.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

2

40

52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Notes the work carried out with stakeholders by Welsh Government indicated we should not pursue a Wales wide energy supply company, but continue to explore other mechanisms of delivering benefits to Wales in line with Welsh Government’s stated priorities and targets.

Recognises the contribution of Welsh Government-funded programmes, such as Warm Homes, Nest and Arbed, Local Energy, Green Growth Wales and the Smart Living programme creating locally owned energy businesses as part of the transition to a low carbon economy.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

2

11

52

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6735 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Plaid Cymru’s long-standing proposal for establishing a publicly owned energy company, Ynni Cymru.

2. Notes the Welsh Labour party’s 2017 manifesto commitment to support “the creation of publicly owned, locally accountable energy companies and co-operatives to rival existing private energy suppliers, with at least one in every region”.

3. Notes the work carried out with stakeholders by Welsh Government indicated we should not pursue a Wales wide energy supply company, but continue to explore other mechanisms of delivering benefits to Wales in line with Welsh Government’s stated priorities and targets.

4. Recognises the contribution of Welsh Government-funded programmes, such as Warm Homes, Nest and Arbed, Local Energy, Green Growth Wales and the Smart Living programme creating locally owned energy businesses as part of the transition to a low carbon economy.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

4

9

52

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

(60 mins)

7.

United Kingdom Independence Party debate - University Finance

NDM6731 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Welcomes the UK Government’s proposed review of university finance as announced on 19 February 2018.

2. Notes the reports from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development titled: 'Over-qualification and skills mismatch in the graduate labour market' and 'The graduate employment gap: expectations versus reality'.

3. Calls on the UK Government and the Welsh Government to:

a) work together to develop a sustainable model for future student finance;

b) abolish tuition fees for STEM, medical and nursing students; and

c) broaden the scope of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to review degree courses for expected earnings, and publish these reviews to all prospective students.

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - Over-qualification and skills mismatch in the graduate labour market

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - The graduate employment gap: expectations versus reality

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 – Julie James (Swansea West)

 

Delete all and replace with:

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s higher education funding review led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond published on 27 September 2016.

 

2. Notes that the Diamond Review found that living costs were the main barrier to those making the choice about whether to go to university.

 

3. Welcomes the new student finance package for 2018/19 launched by the Welsh Government which means:

 

a) students will receive maintenance support equivalent to the National Living Wage – the most generous in the UK;

 

b) every eligible student can claim a minimum grant of £1,000 that they will not have to pay back; and

 

c) Wales is the first country in Europe to introduce equivalent maintenance support across full-time and part-time undergraduates.

This will be extended to post-graduate students in 2019.

 

The Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance Arrangements in Wales

 

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

 

Amendment 2 – Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

Regrets that Wales is experiencing a brain-drain, with more university graduates leaving Wales than settling in the country.

 

Recognises the success of Wales’s further education institutions in supporting the retention of talent in the Welsh economy. 

 

Regrets the lack of level 6+ apprenticeship programmes available in Wales to upskill the workforce.

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

 

a) Provide greater incentives for university graduates to settle in Wales once they have finished their degrees; 

 

b) Encourage greater engagement between higher education and further education institutions to promote talent retention; and 

 

c) Promote greater availability of level 6+ apprenticeships programmes in Wales.  

 

Amendment 3 – Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

 

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

 

d) Implement the recommendation of the Diamond review for the Welsh Government to incentivise students to remain in Wales to study, or return to Wales after graduation.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.42

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6731 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Welcomes the UK Government’s proposed review of university finance as announced on 19 February 2018.

2. Notes the reports from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development titled: 'Over-qualification and skills mismatch in the graduate labour market' and 'The graduate employment gap: expectations versus reality'.

3. Calls on the UK Government and the Welsh Government to:

a) work together to develop a sustainable model for future student finance;

b) abolish tuition fees for STEM, medical and nursing students; and

c) broaden the scope of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to review degree courses for expected earnings, and publish these reviews to all prospective students.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

6

0

46

52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 – Julie James (Swansea West) 

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s higher education funding review led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond published on 27 September 2016.

2. Notes that the Diamond Review found that living costs were the main barrier to those making the choice about whether to go to university.

3. Welcomes the new student finance package for 2018/19 launched by the Welsh Government which means:

a) students will receive maintenance support equivalent to the National Living Wage – the most generous in the UK;

b) every eligible student can claim a minimum grant of £1,000 that they will not have to pay back; and

c) Wales is the first country in Europe to introduce equivalent maintenance support across full-time and part-time undergraduates.
This will be extended to post-graduate students in 2019.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

27

0

25

52

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2 and 3 were de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6731 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s higher education funding review led by Professor Sir Ian Diamond published on 27 September 2016.

2. Notes that the Diamond Review found that living costs were the main barrier to those making the choice about whether to go to university.

3. Welcomes the new student finance package for 2018/19 launched by the Welsh Government which means:

a) students will receive maintenance support equivalent to the National Living Wage – the most generous in the UK;

b) every eligible student can claim a minimum grant of £1,000 that they will not have to pay back; and

c) Wales is the first country in Europe to introduce equivalent maintenance support across full-time and part-time undergraduates. This will be extended to post-graduate students in 2019.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

36

0

16

52

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

8.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 17.19

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

9.

Short Debate

NDM6730 Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

A Sovereign Wales: Building the proud, sovereign and united country that Wales can and should be.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.23

NDM6730 Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

A Sovereign Wales: Building the proud, sovereign and united country that Wales can and should be.