Agenda and minutes
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Expected timing: 34(v2)
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Transcript: Transcript for 23/11/2016 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd
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Record of Proceedings View the Record
of Proceedings |
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(45 mins) |
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. Supporting documents: Minutes: The item started at
13.30 The first 9
questions were asked. The Deputy Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople
to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2. |
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(45 mins) |
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs The
Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice
to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2. Minutes: The item started at
14.19 The first 9
questions were asked. The Deputy Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople
to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2. |
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(5 mins) |
Questions to the Assembly Commission Minutes: The item started at
15.05 The question was
asked. |
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(5 mins) |
90 Second Statements Minutes: The item started at
15.07 Joyce Watson made a
statement on the White Ribbon campaign. Mark Isherwood made
a statement on Girlguiding Cymru’s new strategic plan. Julie Morgan made a
statement on the unveiling of a plaque in Llandaff North commemorating
Idloes Owen, the founder of the Welsh National Opera. |
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(5 mins) |
Motion to amend Standing Order 26 in relation to Member Bills NDM6169 Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To
propose that the National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2: 1.
Considers the Report of the Business Committee ‘Amending Standing Orders:
Standing Order 26 – Member Bills’ laid
in the Table Office on 15 November 2016; and 2.
Approves the proposal to revise Standing Order 26, as set out in Annex B of the
Report of the Business Committee. Minutes: The item started at 15.11 NDM6169 Elin Jones (Ceredigion) To propose that the
National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2: 1. Considers the
Report of the Business Committee ‘Amending Standing Orders: Standing Order 26 –
Member Bills’ laid in the Table
Office on 15 November 2016; and 2. Approves the
proposal to revise Standing Order 26, as set out in Annex B of the Report of
the Business Committee. The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. The Presiding Officer will hold the first ballot on 25th
January 2017. The Table Office will contact Members with details on how
to enter the ballot. |
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(60 mins) |
Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) NDM6143 To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1.
Recognises the enormous potential benefits of the application of 'big data' in
agriculture. 2.
Notes the growth in research and development in precision agriculture as a way
of increasing yields, maximising the use of scarce resources and minimising the
use of harmful chemicals. 3.
Calls on the Welsh Government to develop a strategy to put Wales at the
forefront of the development of precision agriculture. Minutes: The item started at
15.12 Voting
on the motion was deferred until Voting Time. A
vote was taken on the motion: NDM6143 To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Recognises the enormous potential benefits of the application of 'big
data' in agriculture. 2. Notes the growth in research and development in precision agriculture
as a way of increasing yields, maximising the use of scarce resources and
minimising the use of harmful chemicals. 3. Calls on the Welsh Government to develop a strategy to put Wales at
the forefront of the development of precision agriculture.
The motion was agreed. |
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(60 mins) |
Welsh Conservatives debate NDM6170 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1.
Recognises that the retail industry employs 130,000 people in Wales, and makes
a key contribution to the Welsh economy. 2.
Notes that the current shop vacancy rate in Wales stands at almost 14 per cent,
and the projected rate of store closures is higher in Wales than anywhere else
in the UK over the next two years. 3.
Regrets that the Welsh Government has not used innovative and supportive
measures to help businesses through their transition to the Valuation Office
Agency's revaluations, leaving Welsh businesses to tackle high rates, alongside
a system of temporary rebates, and a slow appeals process. 4.
Calls on the Welsh Government to: a)
abolish business rates for all businesses with a rateable value of up to
£12,000, and provide tapered support for those with a rateable value up to
£15,000; b)
take a proactive approach to radically reform the outdated business rates
system, and make Wales the flagship nation in addressing the need to provide a
more supportive business environment; and c)
place an immediate cap on the multiplier, and a timetabled plan for a gradual
reduction in rates. The
following amendments have been tabled: Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) Delete
points 3 and 4 and replace with: Reaffirms
the independence of the Valuation Office Agency following the financial
devolution of non-domestic rates to Wales. Notes
the revaluation by the Valuation Office Agency is not designed to raise
additional revenue and that while some rateable values have increased, overall
they have fallen. Notes
the Welsh Government's: a)
decision to extend the Small Business Rates Relief scheme for 2017-18,
providing a tax cut for 70,000 small businesses in Wales b)
decision to make the Small Business Rates Relief scheme permanent from 2018
providing small businesses with certainty that this tax cut will continue; c)
commitment to review the Small Business Rate Relief scheme to make it simpler
and fairer for businesses in Wales; and d)
decision to introduce a £10m transitional relief scheme in April 2017 to
provide additional help for small businesses receiving SBRR who have been
affected by revaluation. [If amendment 1 is agreed,
amendment 2 will be de-selected] Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn) Calls
on the Welsh Government to: a)
expand the transitional relief available to small businesses affected by the
2017 non-domestic rates revaluation; b)
abolish business rates for all businesses with a rateable value of less than
£10,000 per year, and provide tapered relief for businesses whose rateable
value is between £10,000 and £20,000; c)
make all businesses during their first year of operation exempt from paying any
rates in order to encourage new start-ups; d)
introduce a split multiplier for small and large businesses as is the case in
Scotland and England; and e)
explore replacing business rates altogether with alternative forms of taxation
which do not discourage employment, town centre regeneration and investment in
plant and machinery. Minutes: The item started at
15.58 Voting on the motion and amendments under
this item was deferred until Voting Time. A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment: NDM6170 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Recognises that the retail industry employs 130,000 people in Wales,
and makes a key contribution to the Welsh economy. 2. Notes that the current shop vacancy rate in Wales stands at almost 14
per cent, and the projected rate of store closures is higher in Wales than
anywhere else in the UK over the next two years. 3. Regrets that the Welsh Government has not used innovative and
supportive measures to help businesses through their transition to the
Valuation Office Agency's revaluations, leaving Welsh businesses to tackle high
rates, alongside a system of temporary rebates, and a slow appeals process. 4. Calls on the Welsh Government to: a) abolish business rates for all businesses with a rateable value of up
to £12,000, and provide tapered support for those with a rateable value up to
£15,000; b) take a proactive approach to radically reform the outdated business
rates system, and make Wales the flagship nation in addressing the need to
provide a more supportive business environment; and c) place an immediate cap on the multiplier, and a timetabled plan for a
gradual reduction in rates.
The
motion without amendment was not agreed. The following amendments were tabled: Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) Delete points 3 and
4 and replace with: Reaffirms the
independence of the Valuation Office Agency following the financial devolution
of non-domestic rates to Wales. Notes the
revaluation by the Valuation Office Agency is not designed to raise additional
revenue and that while some rateable values have increased, overall they have
fallen. Notes the Welsh
Government's: a) decision to
extend the Small Business Rates Relief scheme for 2017-18, providing a tax cut
for 70,000 small businesses in Wales b) decision to make
the Small Business Rates Relief scheme permanent from 2018 providing small
businesses with certainty that this tax cut will continue; c) commitment to
review the Small Business Rate Relief scheme to make it simpler and fairer for
businesses in Wales; and d) decision to
introduce a £10m transitional relief scheme in April 2017 to provide additional
help for small businesses receiving SBRR who have been affected by revaluation. A vote was taken on
Amendment 1:
Amendment
1 was agreed. As Amendment 1 was agreed, Amendment 2 was
de-selected A vote was taken on the motion as amended: NDM6170 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Recognises that the retail industry employs 130,000 people in Wales,
and makes a key contribution to the Welsh economy. 2. Notes that the current shop vacancy rate in Wales stands at almost 14
per cent, and the projected rate of store closures is higher in Wales than
anywhere else in the UK over the next two years. 3. Reaffirms the
independence of the Valuation Office Agency following the financial devolution
of non-domestic rates to Wales. 4. Notes the revaluation
by the Valuation Office Agency is not designed to raise additional revenue and
that while some rateable values have increased, overall they have fallen. 5. Notes the Welsh
Government's: a) decision to
extend the Small Business Rates Relief scheme for 2017-18, providing a tax cut
for 70,000 small businesses in Wales b) decision to make
the Small Business Rates Relief scheme permanent from 2018 providing small
businesses with certainty that this tax cut will continue; c) commitment to
review the Small Business Rate Relief scheme to make it simpler and fairer for
businesses in Wales; and d) decision to
introduce a £10m transitional relief scheme in April 2017 to provide additional
help for small businesses receiving SBRR who have been affected by revaluation.
The
motion as amended was agreed. |
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(30 mins) |
Plaid Cymru debate NDM6171
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys
Môn) To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1.
Regrets the gap between the highest and the lowest paid workers in Welsh local authorities
and the wider public sector. 2.
Notes Plaid Cymru's success in forcing the Welsh Government to amend the Local
Democracy Act during the fourth Assembly to include measures that have improved
transparency in how senior officers pay is decided through the establishment of
independent remuneration panels. 3.
Calls on the Welsh Government to: (a)
legislate to introduce nationally set pay scales and terms and conditions to
control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework which would
ensure fair pay for all public sector workers in Wales; and (b)
define the role of local authorities chief executives in legislation which
would include abolishing additional payments to council officials for returning
officer duties. 'Local Government
(Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013' The
following amendments have been tabled: Amendment 1. Jane
Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
Notes
the requirement of the Local Democracy Act, which includes measures that have
improved transparency in how senior officers' pay is decided through the
broadening of the powers of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. [If
amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected] Amendment 2. Paul
Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Delete
point 2, and replace with: Recognises
Welsh Conservative proposals, which called on the Welsh Government to place a
binding limit on senior office holder salaries to ensure that local authorities
enforce effective caps on pay. Amendment 3. Paul
Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Calls
on the Welsh Government to consider legislation introduced in other
Commonwealth jurisdictions, which has enshrined the responsibilities of local
government chief executives in law, such as Section 94 A of the Australian
Local Government Act 1989. [If
amendment 3 is agreed, amendment 4 will be de-selected] Amendment 4. Jane
Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
work
with social partners to develop a national framework which would ensure fair
pay for devolved public sector workers in Wales; and Amendment 5. Paul
Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Notes
the evidence heard by the Public Accounts Committee, which saw stakeholders
call for a correlation between senior management pay and organisational
performance, as a key indicator in providing value for money. Further
notes the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers'
submission to the UK Government's Communities and Local Government Select
Committee Inquiry into Local Government Chief Officer Remuneration in January
2014, which acknowledged that since 2010, a number of local authorities have
started to share chief executives and senior management teams, to further drive
cost saving measures. Minutes: The item started at
16.53 Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time. A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment: NDM6171 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn) To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Regrets the gap between the highest and the lowest paid workers in
Welsh local authorities and the wider public sector. 2. Notes Plaid Cymru's success in forcing the Welsh Government to amend
the Local Democracy Act during the fourth Assembly to include measures that
have improved transparency in how senior officers pay is decided through the
establishment of independent remuneration panels. 3. Calls on the Welsh Government to: (a) legislate to introduce nationally set pay scales and terms and
conditions to control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework
which would ensure fair pay for all public sector workers in Wales; and (b) define the role of local authorities chief executives in legislation
which would include abolishing additional payments to council officials for
returning officer duties.
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: Notes the
requirement of the Local Democracy Act, which includes measures that have
improved transparency in how senior officers' pay is decided through the
broadening of the powers of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. A vote was taken on
Amendment 1:
Amendment 1 was agreed. As Amendment 1 was agreed, Amendment 2 was de-selected. Amendment 3. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Delete Point 3 and replace with: Calls on the Welsh Government to consider
legislation introduced in other Commonwealth jurisdictions, which has enshrined
the responsibilities of local government chief executives in law, such as
Section 94 A of the Australian Local Government Act 1989. A vote was taken on
Amendment 3:
Amendment 3 was not agreed. Amendment 4. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) In point 3, delete sub-point (a) and replace
with: work with social partners to develop a
national framework which would ensure fair pay for devolved public sector
workers in Wales; and A vote was taken on
Amendment 4:
Amendment 4 was agreed. Amendment 5. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Add as a new point at the end of the motion: Notes the evidence heard by the Public
Accounts Committee, which saw stakeholders call for a correlation between
senior management pay and organisational performance, as a key indicator in
providing value for money. A vote was taken on
Amendment 5:
Amendment 5 was agreed. Amendment 6. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Add as new point at end of motion: Further notes the Society of Local Authority
Chief Executives and Senior Managers' submission to the UK Government's
Communities and Local Government Select Committee Inquiry into Local Government
Chief Officer Remuneration in January 2014, which acknowledged that since 2010,
a number of local authorities have started to share chief executives and senior
management teams, to further drive cost saving measures. A vote was taken on
Amendment 6:
Amendment 6 was agreed. A
vote was taken on the motion as amended: NDM6171 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn) To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Regrets the gap between the highest and the lowest paid workers in
Welsh local authorities and the wider public sector. 2. Notes the requirement of the Local Democracy Act, which includes
measures that have improved transparency in how senior officers' pay is decided
through the broadening of the powers of the Independent Remuneration Panel for
Wales. 3. Calls on the Welsh Government to: (a) work with social partners to develop a
national framework which would ensure fair pay for devolved public sector
workers in Wales; and (b) define the role of local authorities chief executives in legislation
which would include abolishing additional payments to council officials for
returning officer duties. 4. Notes the evidence heard by the Public
Accounts Committee, which saw stakeholders call for a correlation between
senior management pay and organisational performance, as a key indicator in
providing value for money. 5. Further notes the Society of Local
Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers' submission to the UK
Government's Communities and Local Government Select Committee Inquiry into
Local Government Chief Officer Remuneration in January 2014, which acknowledged
that since 2010, a number of local authorities have started to share chief
executives and senior management teams, to further drive cost saving measures.
The motion as amended was agreed. |
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Point of Order Neil
McEvoy raised a point of order regarding Dawn Bowden’s comments about him
receiving over £100,000 from two salaries. The
Deputy Presiding Officer stated that it is the nature of parliamentary debate
that facts and arguments are contested. Members are responsible for the
accuracy of the statements they make and as long as they are not out of order,
it is not for the Chair to judge the facts presented. Dawn
Bowden subsequently withdrew her comments about the figure stated but not her
remarks about the two jobs. |
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(30 mins) |
Plaid Cymru debate NDM6172
Rhun ap
Iorwerth (Ynys Môn) 1.
Notes that the independent cancer task force has called for a target of
diagnosis within 28 days. 2.
Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that the extra investment in diagnostic
equipment secured by Plaid Cymru in the budget negotiations helps achieve this
target. The
following amendments have been tabled: Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) a)
the emphasis on earlier detection of cancer set out in the refreshed Cancer
Delivery Plan for Wales (2016-2020); b)
that more people than ever are being treated for cancer in Wales and survival
rates are at an all-time high; and c)
that the Welsh Government will ensure that the extra investment in diagnostic
equipment set out in the draft budget is used to improve cancer waiting times
and treatment outcomes. [If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will
be de-selected] Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) Calls
on the Welsh Government to improve access to screening services across the
whole of Wales by acknowledging the role a national mobile cancer treatment
service plays in supporting those with cancer, alongside reducing referrals to
secondary care by making greater use of diagnostic technology in GP surgeries. Minutes: The item started at
17.29 Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time. A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment: NDM6172 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn) To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Notes that the independent cancer task force has called for a target
of diagnosis within 28 days. 2. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that the extra investment in
diagnostic equipment secured by Plaid Cymru in the budget negotiations helps
achieve this target.
The motion without amendment was not agreed. The
following amendments were tabled: Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) Delete all and
replace with: Notes: a) the emphasis on
earlier detection of cancer set out in the refreshed Cancer Delivery Plan for
Wales (2016-2020); b) that more people
than ever are being treated for cancer in Wales and survival rates are at an
all-time high; and c) that the Welsh
Government will ensure that the extra investment in diagnostic equipment set
out in the draft budget is used to improve cancer waiting times and treatment
outcomes. A vote was taken on
Amendment 1:
Amendment 1 was agreed. As Amendment 1 was agreed, Amendment 2 was
de-selected. A
vote was taken on the motion as amended: NDM6172 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn) To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: Notes: a) the emphasis on
earlier detection of cancer set out in the refreshed Cancer Delivery Plan for
Wales (2016-2020); b) that more people
than ever are being treated for cancer in Wales and survival rates are at an
all-time high; and c) that the Welsh
Government will ensure that the extra investment in diagnostic equipment set
out in the draft budget is used to improve cancer waiting times and treatment
outcomes.
The motion as amended was agreed. |
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Voting time Minutes: The item started at
18.03 |
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Votes Summary Supporting documents: |
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(30 mins) |
Short Debate NDM6167
Angela Burns
(Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) Dyslexia
– Life through a different lens Minutes: The item started at
18.10 NDM6167 Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) Dyslexia – Life
through a different lens |