Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 18(v4) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 21/09/2016 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45mins)

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

The first 9 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

 

(0mins)

2.

Questions to the Assembly Commission

No questions tabled.

Minutes:

No questions tabled.

(5mins)

3.

Motion to elect Members to committees

NDM6099 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) as a Member of the Business Committee in place of Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru).

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.19

NDM6099 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) as a Member of the Business Committee in place of Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(5mins)

4.

Motion to elect Members to committees

NDM6100 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Nathan Gill (Independent) as a Member of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee in place of Michelle Brown (UKIP).

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.19

NDM6100 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Nathan Gill (Independent) as a Member of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee in place of Michelle Brown (UKIP).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(5mins)

5.

Motion to elect Members to the Assembly Commission

NDM6101 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 7.9, appoints Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) as a member of the Assembly Commission in place of Dai Lloyd (Plaid Cymru).

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.20

NDM6101 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 7.9, appoints Adam Price (Plaid Cymru) as a member of the Assembly Commission in place of Dai Lloyd (Plaid Cymru).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(30mins)

6.

Statement by the Chair of the Finance Committee on the Budget Process

Minutes:

The item started at 14.21

 

(30mins)

7.

Plaid Cymru Debate

NDM6095 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that it is three years since the publication of Professor Sioned Davies's report, that recommended the removal of 'Welsh second language' and establishing one Welsh language learning continuum in its place.

2. Notes that the First Minister's letter of December 2015 states his opinion that the concept of "Welsh as a second language" creates an artificial difference, and we are not of the view that it offers a useful basis for making policies for the future.

3. Notes the importance of the education system in order to reach the Welsh Government's target of one million Welsh speakers.

4. Regrets the decision of Qualifications Wales to keep the Welsh second language qualification for an unspecified time and therefore in order to ensure that no pupil is deprived of the skills to use the Welsh language, calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) outline a clear timetable for replacing the Welsh second language qualification with one new Welsh qualification for every pupil by 2018, which would mean examining the new qualification for the first time in 2020; 

(b) adopt a strategy for targeting extra resources for teaching Welsh to trainee teachers, serving teachers, classroom assistants and other teaching practitioners;  and

(c) invest substantially, and seriously plan, through a series of innovative initiatives, in order to quickly increase the number of education practitioners who teach through the medium of Welsh.

 

Supporting Documents

'One Language for all: Review of Welsh second language in Key Stages 3 and 4'

 

'Letter from the First Minister, 4 December 2015' (Welsh only)

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan):
 
Delete point 4 and replace with:

Notes that:

a) Education in Wales is being reformed, Qualifications Wales is strengthening the Welsh Second Language GCSE as an interim measure, and from 2021 the new curriculum will remove the distinction between Welsh and Welsh Second Language; and

b) The Welsh Government will publish plans and timelines for curriculum and assessment change for Welsh in schools.

 

Amendment 2  Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of Motion:

Notes the importance of Welsh language skills development in pre-school playgroups.

 

Amendment 3 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of Motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to improve Welsh language skills development in all Flying Start settings.

 

Amendment 4 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of Motion:

'Calls upon the Welsh Government to set out its plans for developing Welsh language skills within vocational courses and studies undertaken in community learning settings.'

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.53

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6095 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that it is three years since the publication of Professor Sioned Davies's report, that recommended the removal of 'Welsh second language' and establishing one Welsh language learning continuum in its place.

2. Notes that the First Minister's letter of December 2015 states his opinion that the concept of "Welsh as a second language" creates an artificial difference, and we are not of the view that it offers a useful basis for making policies for the future.

3. Notes the importance of the education system in order to reach the Welsh Government's target of one million Welsh speakers.

4. Regrets the decision of Qualifications Wales to keep the Welsh second language qualification for an unspecified time and therefore in order to ensure that no pupil is deprived of the skills to use the Welsh language, calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) outline a clear timetable for replacing the Welsh second language qualification with one new Welsh qualification for every pupil by 2018, which would mean examining the new qualification for the first time in 2020; 

(b) adopt a strategy for targeting extra resources for teaching Welsh to trainee teachers, serving teachers, classroom assistants and other teaching practitioners;  and

(c) invest substantially, and seriously plan, through a series of innovative initiatives, in order to quickly increase the number of education practitioners who teach through the medium of Welsh.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

22

1

24

47

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan):
Delete point 4 and replace with:

Notes that:

a) Education in Wales is being reformed, Qualifications Wales is strengthening the Welsh Second Language GCSE as an interim measure, and from 2021 the new curriculum will remove the distinction between Welsh and Welsh Second Language; and

b) The Welsh Government will publish plans and timelines for curriculum and assessment change for Welsh in schools.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

24

12

11

47

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of Motion:

Notes the importance of Welsh language skills development in pre-school playgroups.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

47

0

0

47

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of Motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to improve Welsh language skills development in all Flying Start settings.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

47

0

0

47

Amendment 3 was agreed.

Amendment 4 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of Motion:

'Calls upon the Welsh Government to set out its plans for developing Welsh language skills within vocational courses and studies undertaken in community learning settings.'

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

47

0

0

47

Amendment 4 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6095 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that it is three years since the publication of Professor Sioned Davies's report, that recommended the removal of 'Welsh second language' and establishing one Welsh language learning continuum in its place.

2. Notes that the First Minister's letter of December 2015 states his opinion that the concept of "Welsh as a second language" creates an artificial difference, and we are not of the view that it offers a useful basis for making policies for the future.

3. Notes the importance of the education system in order to reach the Welsh Government's target of one million Welsh speakers.

4. Notes that:

a) Education in Wales is being reformed, Qualifications Wales is strengthening the Welsh Second Language GCSE as an interim measure, and from 2021 the new curriculum will remove the distinction between Welsh and Welsh Second Language; and

b) The Welsh Government will publish plans and timelines for curriculum and assessment change for Welsh in schools.

5. Notes the importance of Welsh language skills development in pre-school playgroups.

6. Calls upon the Welsh Government to improve Welsh language skills development in all Flying Start settings.

7. 'Calls upon the Welsh Government to set out its plans for developing Welsh language skills within vocational courses and studies undertaken in community learning settings.'

For

Abstain

Against

Total

46

1

0

47

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

(30mins)

8.

Plaid Cymru Debate

NDM6096 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the importance of full membership of the European single market to the Welsh economy.

 

The following amendment has been tabled:

 

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes the importance of access to the EU Single Market for the Welsh economy.

2. Calls for clarity on the Welsh Government's position on the free movement of people between the UK and the EU, post the UK leaving the EU.

3. Welcomes the interest in establishing new trade agreements between the UK and other countries around the world.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure the best deal for Wales.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.26

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6096 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the importance of full membership of the European single market to the Welsh 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 and replace with:

1. Notes the importance of access to the EU Single Market for the Welsh economy.

2. Calls for clarity on the Welsh Government's position on the free movement of people between the UK and the EU, post the UK leaving the EU.

3. Welcomes the interest in establishing new trade agreements between the UK and other countries around the world.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure the best deal for Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

41

0

6

47

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6096 Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of access to the EU Single Market for the Welsh economy.

2. Calls for clarity on the Welsh Government's position on the free movement of people between the UK and the EU, post the UK leaving the EU.

3. Welcomes the interest in establishing new trade agreements between the UK and other countries around the world.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure the best deal for Wales.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

0

7

47

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

(60mins)

9.

Welsh Conservatives Debate

NDM6093 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the importance of transport connections within north Wales, and between north Wales and the north west of England, and the Midlands.

2. Believes that the proposals contained within the "Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales" offers the basis for improving the economic performance of north Wales.

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

(a) publish a plan to improve and upgrade the A55 trunk road to address problems with congestion, flood risk, and lack of hard shoulder in some areas;

(b) work with the UK Government and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board to deliver upgrades to the north Wales line;

(c) work with stakeholders to establish an integrated transport travel card scheme for north Wales;

(d) publish a detailed business plan for the development of the North Wales Metro.

 

Supporting Documents:

Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales):

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Recognises the importance of transport connections within Wales, and between Wales and the rest of the UK and Europe.

 

Amendment 2. Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales):
 
Delete sub-point 3(c) and replace with:

'introduce a Welsh transport smart card for the whole of Wales to connect all communities through an integrated transport system.'

Minutes:

The item started at 15.59

NDM6093 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the importance of transport connections within north Wales, and between north Wales and the north west of England, and the Midlands.

2. Believes that the proposals contained within the "Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales" offers the basis for improving the economic performance of north Wales.

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

(a) publish a plan to improve and upgrade the A55 trunk road to address problems with congestion, flood risk, and lack of hard shoulder in some areas;

(b) work with the UK Government and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board to deliver upgrades to the north Wales line;

(c) work with stakeholders to establish an integrated transport travel card scheme for north Wales;

(d) publish a detailed business plan for the development of the North Wales Metro.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(60mins)

10.

United Kingdom Independence Party Debate

NDM6094 Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Acknowledges the important role played by grammar schools in promoting social mobility and giving children from poorer backgrounds access to a first class education.

2. Notes that a reduction in social mobility has gone hand in hand with a cut in grammar school places.

3. Believes in diversity in secondary education, which gives children the right to a grammar school education if parents so desire, and supports enhanced status for technical and vocational education and the re-introduction of grammar schools in Wales to produce an educational system which provides the best opportunities for children of all abilities.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):
 
Delete point 1 and replace with:

Is not persuaded that selection in the education system is appropriate for schools in Wales.

 

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Believes that extending parental and pupil choice is the best way to improve standards in our schools.

 

Amendment 3. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

In point 3, delete:

'which gives children the right to a grammar school education if parents so desire'.

 

Amendment 4. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

In point 3, delete:

'and the re-introduction of grammar schools'.

 

Amendment 5. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that every year in Wales thousands of pupils are turned away from schools that they and their parents prefer because good, successful schools are full.

 

Amendment 6. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to free schools up from local authority control and enable popular schools to expand to enable more pupils to access schools that they and their parents choose.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.51

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6094 Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Acknowledges the important role played by grammar schools in promoting social mobility and giving children from poorer backgrounds access to a first class education.

2. Notes that a reduction in social mobility has gone hand in hand with a cut in grammar school places.

3. Believes in diversity in secondary education, which gives children the right to a grammar school education if parents so desire, and supports enhanced status for technical and vocational education and the re-introduction of grammar schools in Wales to produce an educational system which provides the best opportunities for children of all abilities.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

6

0

41

47

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):
Delete point 1 and replace with:

Is not persuaded that selection in the education system is appropriate for schools in Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

41

0

6

47

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Believes that extending parental and pupil choice is the best way to improve standards in our schools.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

0

37

47

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

In point 3, delete:

'which gives children the right to a grammar school education if parents so desire'.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

41

0

6

47

Amendment 3 was agreed.

Amendment 4 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

In point 3, delete:

'and the re-introduction of grammar schools'.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

41

0

6

47

Amendment 4 was agreed.

Amendment 5 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that every year in Wales thousands of pupils are turned away from schools that they and their parents prefer because good, successful schools are full.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

36

47

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

Amendment 6 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to free schools up from local authority control and enable popular schools to expand to enable more pupils to access schools that they and their parents choose.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

36

47

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6094 Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Is not persuaded that selection in the education system is appropriate for schools in Wales.

2. Notes that a reduction in social mobility has gone hand in hand with a cut in grammar school places.

3. Believes in diversity in secondary education, and supports enhanced status for technical and vocational education in Wales to produce an educational system which provides the best opportunities for children of all abilities.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

1

36

47

The motion as amended was not agreed.

 

11.

Voting time

Minutes:

The item started at 17.50

Vote Summary 21.09.16

Supporting documents:

(30mins)

12.

Short Debate

NDM6092 Vikki Howells (Cynon Valley)

 

Unlocking Children's Natural Potential - The Role of Outdoor Education in the Learning Process.

Minutes:

The item started at 17.58

NDM6092 Vikki Howells (Cynon Valley)

Unlocking Children's Natural Potential - The Role of Outdoor Education in the Learning Process.