Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones 

Expected timing: 310(v5) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 09/12/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

 

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.39

The first 7 questions were asked. Question 9 was withdrawn. Questions 2 and 5 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his European Transition responsibilities)

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.28

All 8 questions were asked. Questions 1 and 6 were grouped together for answer. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(0 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

No Topical Questions were accepted.

Minutes:

No Topical Questions were accepted

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.05

Vikki Howells made a statement on - Congratulations Mr Church! David Church is an inspirational Religious Studies teacher at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.07 the meeting was suspended by the Deputy Presiding Officer.

 

(60 mins)

5.

Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) - Support for babies and new parents during Covid-19

NDM7462 Lynne Neagle (Torfaen)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Recognises that the evidence is unequivocal that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from pregnancy to age two, lay the foundations for a happy and healthy life and that the support and wellbeing of babies during this time is strongly linked to better outcomes later in life, including educational achievement, progress at work and better physical and mental health.     

2. Notes that since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown and social distancing measures, a growing body of research indicates parents are facing unprecedented pressures, heightened anxieties, and are at increased risk of developing mental health problems in the perinatal period.  

3. Notes that the Babies in Lockdown 2020 survey showed that for 66 per cent of respondents from Wales, parental mental health was cited as a main concern during lockdown: only 26 per cent felt confident that they could find help for mental health if they needed it and 69 per cent of parents felt the changes brought on by COVID-19 were affecting their unborn baby, baby or young child.

4. Notes that the New Parents and COVID-19 2020 research found that over half of the 257 respondents who have given birth since lockdown felt that their birth experience was more difficult than expected due to the coronavirus restrictions, more than 60 per cent not receiving any form of post-natal check-up and almost a quarter wanting perinatal mental health support..

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure services and support for families during pregnancy and the perinatal period are prioritised and that the midwifery, health visiting and perinatal mental health workforce is protected from redeployment during the pandemic.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to proactively work with health boards to ensure women can be safely supported by their partners during hospital visits during pregnancy.

7. Calls on the Welsh Government to provide additional ring-fenced investment for perinatal mental health services and voluntary services to cope with the increase in demand because of COVID-19.

Babies in Lockdown

New Parents and COVID-19

Co-submitters

Bethan Sayed

Leanne Wood

Supporters

Alun Davies

Dai Lloyd

David Rees

Dawn Bowden

Helen Mary Jones

Huw Irranca-Davies

Jack Sargeant

Jayne Bryant

Jenny Rathbone

Joyce Watson

Neil McEvoy

Vikki Howells

Minutes:

The item started at 15.15

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

NDM7462 Lynne Neagle (Torfaen)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Recognises that the evidence is unequivocal that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from pregnancy to age two, lay the foundations for a happy and healthy life and that the support and wellbeing of babies during this time is strongly linked to better outcomes later in life, including educational achievement, progress at work and better physical and mental health.    

2. Notes that since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown and social distancing measures, a growing body of research indicates parents are facing unprecedented pressures, heightened anxieties, and are at increased risk of developing mental health problems in the perinatal period.  

3. Notes that the Babies in Lockdown 2020 survey showed that for 66 per cent of respondents from Wales, parental mental health was cited as a main concern during lockdown: only 26 per cent felt confident that they could find help for mental health if they needed it and 69 per cent of parents felt the changes brought on by COVID-19 were affecting their unborn baby, baby or young child.

4. Notes that the New Parents and COVID-19 2020 research found that over half of the 257 respondents who have given birth since lockdown felt that their birth experience was more difficult than expected due to the coronavirus restrictions, more than 60 per cent not receiving any form of post-natal check-up and almost a quarter wanting perinatal mental health support..

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure services and support for families during pregnancy and the perinatal period are prioritised and that the midwifery, health visiting and perinatal mental health workforce is protected from redeployment during the pandemic.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to proactively work with health boards to ensure women can be safely supported by their partners during hospital visits during pregnancy.

7. Calls on the Welsh Government to provide additional ring-fenced investment for perinatal mental health services and voluntary services to cope with the increase in demand because of COVID-19.

Babies in Lockdown

New Parents and COVID-19

Co-submitters

Bethan Sayed

Leanne Wood

Supporters

Alun Davies

Dai Lloyd

David Rees

Dawn Bowden

Helen Mary Jones

Huw Irranca-Davies

Jack Sargeant

Jayne Bryant

Jenny Rathbone

Joyce Watson

Neil McEvoy

Vikki Howells

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

41

12

0

53

The motion was agreed.

(30 mins)

6.

Debate on Petition P-05-1010 An independent inquiry into the 2020 flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf so that lessons are learned

NDM7502 Janet Finch-Saunders

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition ‘P-05-1010 An independent inquiry into the 2020 flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf so that lessons are learned’ which received 6,017 signatures.

P-05-1010 An independent inquiry into the 2020 flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf so that lessons are learned

Minutes:

The item started at 15.17

NDM7502 Janet Finch-Saunders

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition ‘P-05-1010 An independent inquiry into the 2020 flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf so that lessons are learned’ which received 6,017 signatures.

P-05-1010 An independent inquiry into the 2020 flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf so that lessons are learned

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 12.24, items 7-8 were grouped for debate but with separate votes.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 16.26 the Presiding Officer suspended the meeting.

7.

Debate: New Coronavirus Restrictions

NDM7501 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes:

a) the increase in the seven-day rolling incidence rate of coronavirus cases across Wales;

b) the statement by the First Minister on 1 December which set out new national measures to protect public health and reduce the spread of coronavirus; and

c) the £340m package of business support to be made available through the Economic Resilience Fund to support businesses affected by the new national measures.

The following amendments were tabled:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendment 1 tabled to the motion was not selected.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Does not believe that a Wales-wide approach is proportionate given that COVID-19 is circulating at different rates in different parts of the country.

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the Welsh Government’s current restrictions on the sale of alcohol in public houses, cafes and restaurants are proportionate.

Amendment 4 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that the financial support available to businesses affected by the restrictions is insufficient, especially when firms have spent vast sums on ensuring their premises are COVID secure for staff and customers.

Amendment 5 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to publish the evidence on which it based its decision to close indoor entertainment venues.

Amendment 6 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Further calls upon the Welsh Government to make sufficient financial support available to businesses in a timely manner.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendments 7, 8 and 9 tabled to the motion were not selected.

Amendment 10 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets:

a) that the Welsh Government has pursued a course of action based on very limited evidence of the situation in Wales;

b) that the restrictions will have a very limited impact upon infection rates in Wales;

c) that these restrictions will have a lasting impact on jobs and livelihoods and will cause lasting damage to the hospitality sector in Wales.

Amendment 11 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that, whilst hospitality venues can remain open, they should not be subject to a complete ban on the sale of alcohol as currently set out in regulations which came into force on 4 December.

Amendment 12 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the cut-off time on the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences should be consistent with the cut-off time imposed on hospitality venues.

Amendment 13 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that hospitality venues should be allowed to stay open until 8pm.

Amendment 14 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to outline:

a) the specific objectives it hopes the new national restrictions outlined in the First Minister’s statement to the Senedd on 1 December will achieve; and

b) what the threshold will be for relaxing those measures.

Amendment 15 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the latest Welsh Government technical advisory cell advice, together with all data supporting the policy decisions taken, should be published alongside or prior to any announcement on further national coronavirus restrictions.

Amendment 16 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the Welsh Government should adopt a presumption in favour of holding a meaningful vote in the Senedd to precede the coming into effect of any further national coronavirus restrictions of the magnitude outlined in the First Minister’s statement to the Senedd on 1 December.

Amendment 17 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to afford the opportunity for opposition parties to make reasonable requests for independent modelling by the technical advisory cell on alternative proposals in relation to matters such as the closure of the hospitality sector and other non-pharmaceutical interventions.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.35

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

NDM7501 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes:

a) the increase in the seven-day rolling incidence rate of coronavirus cases across Wales;

b) the statement by the First Minister on 1 December which set out new national measures to protect public health and reduce the spread of coronavirus; and

c) the £340m package of business support to be made available through the Economic Resilience Fund to support businesses affected by the new national measures.

The following amendments were tabled:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendment 1 tabled to the motion has not been selected.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Does not believe that a Wales-wide approach is proportionate given that COVID-19 is circulating at different rates in different parts of the country.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

28

53

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the Welsh Government’s current restrictions on the sale of alcohol in public houses, cafes and restaurants are proportionate.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

28

53

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that the financial support available to businesses affected by the restrictions is insufficient, especially when firms have spent vast sums on ensuring their premises are COVID secure for staff and customers.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

28

53

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment 5 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to publish the evidence on which it based its decision to close indoor entertainment venues.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

53

0

0

53

Amendment 5 was agreed.

Amendment 6 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Further calls upon the Welsh Government to make sufficient financial support available to businesses in a timely manner.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

53

0

0

53

Amendment 6 was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendments 7, 8 and 9 tabled to the motion were not been selected.

Amendment 10 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets:

a) that the Welsh Government has pursued a course of action based on very limited evidence of the situation in Wales;

b) that the restrictions will have a very limited impact upon infection rates in Wales;

c) that these restrictions will have a lasting impact on jobs and livelihoods and will cause lasting damage to the hospitality sector in Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 10:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

16

0

37

53

Amendment 10 was not agreed.

Amendment 11 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that, whilst hospitality venues can remain open, they should not be subject to a complete ban on the sale of alcohol as currently set out in regulations which came into force on 4 December.

A vote was taken on amendment 11:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

24

0

29

53

Amendment 11 was not agreed.

Amendment 12 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the cut-off time on the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and off-licences should be consistent with the cut-off time imposed on hospitality venues.

A vote was taken on amendment 12:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

16

4

32

52

Amendment 12 was not agreed.

Amendment 13 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that hospitality venues should be allowed to stay open until 8pm.

A vote was taken on amendment 13:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

16

5

31

52

Amendment 13 was not agreed.

Amendment 14 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to outline:

a) the specific objectives it hopes the new national restrictions outlined in the First Minister’s statement to the Senedd on 1 December will achieve; and

b) what the threshold will be for relaxing those measures.

A vote was taken on amendment 14:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

23

1

28

52

Amendment 14 was not agreed.

Amendment 15 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the latest Welsh Government technical advisory cell advice, together with all data supporting the policy decisions taken, should be published alongside or prior to any announcement on further national coronavirus restrictions.

A vote was taken on amendment 15:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

23

1

28

52

Amendment 15 was not agreed.

Amendment 16 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the Welsh Government should adopt a presumption in favour of holding a meaningful vote in the Senedd to precede the coming into effect of any further national coronavirus restrictions of the magnitude outlined in the First Minister’s statement to the Senedd on 1 December.

A vote was taken on amendment 16:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

22

2

28

52

Amendment 16 was not agreed.

Amendment 17 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to afford the opportunity for opposition parties to make reasonable requests for independent modelling by the technical advisory cell on alternative proposals in relation to matters such as the closure of the hospitality sector and other non-pharmaceutical interventions.

A vote was taken on amendment 17:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

20

1

31

52

Amendment 17 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7501 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes:

a) the increase in the seven-day rolling incidence rate of coronavirus cases across Wales;

b) the statement by the First Minister on 1 December which set out new national measures to protect public health and reduce the spread of coronavirus; and

c) the £340m package of business support to be made available through the Economic Resilience Fund to support businesses affected by the new national measures.

Calls upon the Welsh Government to publish the evidence on which it based its decision to close indoor entertainment venues.

Further calls upon the Welsh Government to make sufficient financial support available to businesses in a timely manner.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

33

10

9

52

The motion as amended was agreed.

8.

Welsh Conservatives Debate – Coronavirus – December Restrictions

NDM7505 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the coronavirus restrictions imposed on the hospitality and indoor entertainment industries in Wales from 4 December 2020.

2. Regrets the adverse impact of the restrictions on Welsh businesses and jobs.

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) suspend the restrictions with immediate effect; and

b) adopt a more proportionate and targeted approach to tackling the coronavirus in Wales.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23(iii), the amendments tabled to the motion have not been selected.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.35

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7505 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the coronavirus restrictions imposed on the hospitality and indoor entertainment industries in Wales from 4 December 2020.

2. Regrets the adverse impact of the restrictions on Welsh businesses and jobs.

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) suspend the restrictions with immediate effect; and

b) adopt a more proportionate and targeted approach to tackling the coronavirus in Wales.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23(iii), the amendments tabled to the motion have not been selected.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

9

27

53

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

(15 mins)

9.

Standards of Conduct Committee report – Report 03-20

NDM7503 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Report 03-20 laid before the Senedd on 2 December 2020 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report that a breach has been found.

3. Resolves that for a period of 21 days, excluding days while the Senedd is in recess, commencing with the passing of this motion and ending no later than midnight on 21 January 2020 that:

a) the Member’s rights and privileges of access to the Senedd and Ty Hywel shall be withdrawn under Standing Order 22.10 (ii);

b) the Member shall be excluded from any Senedd proceedings under Standing Order 20.10(iii), and

c) the Member shall not be entitled to any salary from the Senedd in respect of the days to which paragraphs a. and b. above apply, in accordance with Standing Order 22.10A.

Minutes:

The item started at 18.47

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

NDM7503 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Report 03-20 laid before the Senedd on 2 December 2020 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report that a breach has been found.

3. Resolves that for a period of 21 days, excluding days while the Senedd is in recess, commencing with the passing of this motion and ending no later than midnight on 21 January 2021 that:

a) the Member’s rights and privileges of access to the Senedd and Ty Hywel shall be withdrawn under Standing Order 22.10 (ii);

b) the Member shall be excluded from any Senedd proceedings under Standing Order 20.10(iii), and

c) the Member shall not be entitled to any salary from the Senedd in respect of the days to which paragraphs a. and b. above apply, in accordance with Standing Order 22.10A.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

44

2

6

53

The motion was agreed.

A procedural motion to postpone the Andrew RT Davies’ Short Debate to Wednesday 16 December 2020 was agreed.

10.

Voting Time

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 19.03 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before voting time.

The item started at 19.10

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

11.

Short Debate

NDM7504 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central)

The importance of fans at sporting events for the social fabric of our communities.

Minutes:

The item was postponed to 16 December 2020

NDM7504 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central)

The importance of fans at sporting events for the social fabric of our communities.