Agenda and minutes

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The item started at 13.30

Questions 1, 2 and 4 – 6 were asked. Question 3 was not asked.

The item started at 13.52

The item started at 15.02

Simon Thomas made a statement on Chelsea Manning.

Suzy Davies made a statement on Automated External Defibrillators and their community benefits.

Jayne Bryant made a statement on President Obama and his visit to Newport.

NDM6208 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Calls on the First Minister – in the absence of any intervention by the UK Government – to meet with the interim Chair of Tata Steel to improve the terms of the deal offered by the company’s UK division for steelworkers in Wales; and that such an amended proposal should consist of binding, written commitments on employment, investment and the protection of accrued pension rights.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government, Unions and interested parties to prepare an alternative strategy in the event of the current proposal being rejected by the Welsh steel workforce.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the vital strategic importance of the steel industry to Wales and its economy.

2. Welcomes the significant support made available by the Welsh Government to keep steel production and steel jobs at all the TATA sites in Wales.

3. Notes the recent negotiations between trade unions and TATA on pensions and recognises that any changes to the pensions scheme are a decision for the workers through a democratic ballot and should be free of political interference. 

4. Urges TATA to explain clearly and in full detail to workers impacted the implications of the agreement that has been reached.

5. Notes that the First Minister has led discussions with senior TATA management over recent months to ensure workers' rights are protected and will continue those discussions in the coming weeks.

6. Recognises that the Welsh Government will continue to do everything in its power to protect workers, their jobs and ensure a sustainable steel industry in Wales.

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

Amendment 2. Caroline Jones (South Wales West):

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Agrees with workers and unions from Tata's Port Talbot steel plant that politicians should not be trying to influence workers over the proposed deal to keep the plant open.

2. Believes it is vital that workers are given the time and the necessary information to arrive at an informed choice about the proposals.

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

Amendment 3. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the First Minister's comments on the deal offered to Tata Steel workers and its impact on the long-term future of the steel industry in Wales.

2. Recognises the UK Government's role in supporting the steel industry through the introduction of new public procurement rules and increased support with energy costs, saving the industry £400 million by the end of the current UK Parliament.

3. Acknowledges that this is the only proposal currently available to the Tata Steel workforce and calls on the Welsh Government to be prepared to work with the UK Government, Unions and interested parties to develop an alternative strategy in the event of the current proposal being rejected.

The item started at 15.07

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6208 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Calls on the First Minister – in the absence of any intervention by the UK Government – to meet with the interim Chair of Tata Steel to improve the terms of the deal offered by the company’s UK division for steelworkers in Wales; and that such an amended proposal should consist of binding, written commitments on employment, investment and the protection of accrued pension rights.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government, Unions and interested parties to prepare an alternative strategy in the event of the current proposal being rejected by the Welsh steel workforce.

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 the vital strategic importance of the steel industry to Wales and its economy.

2. Welcomes the significant support made available by the Welsh Government to keep steel production and steel jobs at all the TATA sites in Wales.

3. Notes the recent negotiations between trade unions and TATA on pensions and recognises that any changes to the pensions scheme are a decision for the workers through a democratic ballot and should be free of political interference. 

4. Urges TATA to explain clearly and in full detail to workers impacted the implications of the agreement that has been reached.

5. Notes that the First Minister has led discussions with senior TATA management over recent months to ensure workers' rights are protected and will continue those discussions in the coming weeks.

6. Recognises that the Welsh Government will continue to do everything in its power to protect workers, their jobs and ensure a sustainable steel industry in Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

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:

NDM6208 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the vital strategic importance of the steel industry to Wales and its economy.

2. Welcomes the significant support made available by the Welsh Government to keep steel production and steel jobs at all the TATA sites in Wales.

3. Notes the recent negotiations between trade unions and TATA on pensions and recognises that any changes to the pensions scheme are a decision for the workers through a democratic ballot and should be free of political interference. 

4. Urges TATA to explain clearly and in full detail to workers impacted the implications of the agreement that has been reached.

5. Notes that the First Minister has led discussions with senior TATA management over recent months to ensure workers' rights are protected and will continue those discussions in the coming weeks.

6. Recognises that the Welsh Government will continue to do everything in its power to protect workers, their jobs and ensure a sustainable steel industry in Wales.

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM6209 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that:

a) the National Grid should use underground or undersea cables or alternatives to carry electricity through National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales where feasible;

b) there should be a presumption in favour of underground cables or alternatives rather than electricity pylons in any new or current developments in Wales by the National Grid; and

c) a feasibility study should be carried out of the possibility of removing current pylons and replacing them with underground cables or other alternatives.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
 
In sub-point (b) delete 'a presumption in favour of' and replace with 'a preference for'.
 
Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

In sub-point (c) delete 'a feasibility study should be carried out of the possibility of removing current pylons and replacing them' and replace with 'Ofgem should commit to continue and extend the Visual Impact Provision project for Wales to replace current pylons'.

The item started at 16.10

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6209 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that:

a) the National Grid should use underground or undersea cables or alternatives to carry electricity through National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales where feasible;

b) there should be a presumption in favour of underground cables or alternatives rather than electricity pylons in any new or current developments in Wales by the National Grid; and

c) a feasibility study should be carried out of the possibility of removing current pylons and replacing them with underground cables or other alternatives.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

In sub-point (b) delete 'a presumption in favour of' and replace with 'a preference for'.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

In sub-point (c) delete 'a feasibility study should be carried out of the possibility of removing current pylons and replacing them' and replace with 'Ofgem should commit to continue and extend the Visual Impact Provision project for Wales to replace current pylons'.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6209 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that:

a) the National Grid should use underground or undersea cables or alternatives to carry electricity through National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales where feasible;

b) there should be a preference for underground cables or alternatives rather than electricity pylons in any new or current developments in Wales by the National Grid; and

c) Ofgem should commit to continue and extend the Visual Impact Provision project for Wales to replace current pylons with underground cables or other alternatives.

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM6205 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes concern at the three-and four-weekly bin collections proposed by some local authorities across Wales.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure councils collect residual waste no less frequently than fortnightly, to protect public health, and deter fly-tipping.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
 
Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes the three-and four-weekly bin collections proposed by some local authorities across Wales.

2. Notes the Welsh Government's target from Towards Zero Waste that all sectors in Wales will be recycling at least 70 per cent of their waste by 2025.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to enable people to increase the amount of waste they recycle through banning styrofoam packaging.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to enable people to increase the amount of waste they recycle through introducing a plastic, glass and can deposit scheme.

'Towards Zero Waste'

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

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Wales' success in reaching 60 per cent recycling in 2015/16 and achieving the highest recycling rate in the UK and the 4th highest rate in Europe.

2. Accepts the autonomy of local authorities, in the spirit of localism, in deciding how often to collect residual waste whilst recognising that less frequent waste collections do not lead to increased fly tipping or constitute public health risks.

The item started at 17.02

The Presiding Officer suspended proceedings at 17.11 due to a power failure affecting the Siambr. The bell was rung 2 minutes before reconvening at 17.41.

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6205 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes concern at the three-and four-weekly bin collections proposed by some local authorities across Wales.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure councils collect residual waste no less frequently than fortnightly, to protect public health, and deter fly-tipping.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes the three-and four-weekly bin collections proposed by some local authorities across Wales.

2. Notes the Welsh Government's target from Towards Zero Waste that all sectors in Wales will be recycling at least 70 per cent of their waste by 2025.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to enable people to increase the amount of waste they recycle through banning styrofoam packaging.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to enable people to increase the amount of waste they recycle through introducing a plastic, glass and can deposit scheme.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Wales' success in reaching 60 per cent recycling in 2015/16 and achieving the highest recycling rate in the UK and the 4th highest rate in Europe.

2. Accepts the autonomy of local authorities, in the spirit of localism, in deciding how often to collect residual waste whilst recognising that less frequent waste collections do not lead to increased fly tipping or constitute public health risks.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6205 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes Wales' success in reaching 60 per cent recycling in 2015/16 and achieving the highest recycling rate in the UK and the 4th highest rate in Europe.

2. Accepts the autonomy of local authorities, in the spirit of localism, in deciding how often to collect residual waste whilst recognising that less frequent waste collections do not lead to increased fly tipping or constitute public health risks.

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM6207 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the Welsh Government to provide more support for small businesses affected by the 2017 non-domestic rates revaluation, including more information regarding the £10m additional funding announced in December 2016.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
 
Delete all and replace with:

To propose the National Assembly for Wales:

Recognises:

a) non-domestic rates contribute £1bn towards the provision of public services in Wales;

b) the Welsh Government will provide more than £200m of support for ratepayers in Wales in 2017-18 to pay non-domestic rates; and

c) the Welsh Government's 2017-18 Budget includes a new £10m transitional rate relief scheme to help businesses affected by the 2017 revaluation carried out by the independent Valuation Office Agency and a new £10m special targeted relief scheme to provide additional support to high-streets.

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

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at start of motion and renumber accordingly:

Welcomes the £10m additional business rate relief secured by Plaid Cymru as part of the 2017/18 budget negotiations.

The item started at 18.03

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6207 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the Welsh Government to provide more support for small businesses affected by the 2017 non-domestic rates revaluation, including more information regarding the £10m additional funding announced in December 2016.

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 the National Assembly for Wales:

Recognises:

a) non-domestic rates contribute £1bn towards the provision of public services in Wales;

b) the Welsh Government will provide more than £200m of support for ratepayers in Wales in 2017-18 to pay non-domestic rates; and

c) the Welsh Government's 2017-18 Budget includes a new £10m transitional rate relief scheme to help businesses affected by the 2017 revaluation carried out by the independent Valuation Office Agency and a new £10m special targeted relief scheme to provide additional support to high-streets.

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:

NDM6207 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Recognises:

a) non-domestic rates contribute £1bn towards the provision of public services in Wales;

b) the Welsh Government will provide more than £200m of support for ratepayers in Wales in 2017-18 to pay non-domestic rates; and

c) the Welsh Government's 2017-18 Budget includes a new £10m transitional rate relief scheme to help businesses affected by the 2017 revaluation carried out by the independent Valuation Office Agency and a new £10m special targeted relief scheme to provide additional support to high-streets.

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 18.33

NDM6206 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

Righting the wrongs - historical allegations relating to pupils at the Royal Cambrian and Llandrindod Wells Residential Schools for Deaf Children

The item started at 18.39

NDM6206 Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

Righting the wrongs - historical allegations relating to pupils at the Royal Cambrian and Llandrindod Wells Residential Schools for Deaf Children