Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Expected timing: 132(v5) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 25/04/2018 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education

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. Question 2 was answered by the Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister after question 2.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services

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 14.30

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister for Children and Social Care after question 2.

Point of Order

David Melding raised a Point of Order under Standing Order 6.15 and Standing Order 12.50 regarding the Government’s announcement of a review of affordable housing supply through a written statement. He referenced endorsements from housing policy organisations, included by the Government in a press release, which alluded to the review’s importance, and questioned whether its announcement was therefore more suitable as an oral statement.

The Presiding Officer thanked the Member for his Point of Order, and stated that while Government business is a matter for Welsh Ministers, they are accountable to the Assembly. She stated her expectation that Welsh Ministers should not undermine that principle by making major policy announcement outside the Chamber, so that Members are afforded the opportunity for scrutiny. The Presiding Officer also reminded Members of other opportunities available to them to bring issues to the Chamber if the Government fails to do so, and of their ability to make representations about proposed Government business through the Business Committee.

(0 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

No topical questions were selected.

Minutes:

No topical questions were accepted.

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.28

Mike Hedges made a statement on the 150th anniversary of the Baptist Union of Wales.

David Melding made a statement on the centenary of the Royal Air Force.

(30 mins)

5.

Statement by the Chair of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill – the National Assembly's decision in relation to subordinate legislation procedures

Minutes:

The item started at 15.31

(45 mins)

6.

Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill

Minutes:

The item started at 15.46

(60 mins)

7.

Welsh Conservatives debate – Local government reform

NDM6707 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the Welsh Government Green Paper – Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People – is the third proposal in three years put forward by the Welsh Government on local government reform.

2. Further notes that local authorities were working towards regional arrangements put forward under the Cabinet Secretary Local Government and Public Service’s predecessor.

3. Regrets that the latest proposal has caused sustained periods of uncertainty for councils and their frontline staff.

4. Is concerned by the continual top-down nature of Welsh local government reform, as shown by the lack of meaningful engagement with council leaders and Chief Executives in the preparation of this paper, as well as the absence of strategic cost and benefit analysis taken on all previous local government reform proposals.

Welsh Government Green Paper Consultation Document – Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s Green Paper - Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People - which is currently out for consultation.

2. Notes the current configuration of 22 local authorities in Wales is not sustainable.

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

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly: 

Regrets the austerity that has led to major cuts to local government budgets for many years, and the continuous uncertainty that councils face in terms of their financial situation and possible re-organisation.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the Cabinet Secretary's lack of acknowledgement of the importance of working constructively and maintaining the relationship between the Welsh Government and local authorities. 

Amendment. 4 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion: 

Believes that any proposals for local government reorganisation should aim to strengthen local democracy, integrate health and care, strengthen the Welsh language and offer more effective services to its users.

Minutes:

The item started at 17.11

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6707 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the Welsh Government Green Paper – Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People – is the third proposal in three years put forward by the Welsh Government on local government reform.

2. Further notes that local authorities were working towards regional arrangements put forward under the Cabinet Secretary Local Government and Public Service’s predecessor.

3. Regrets that the latest proposal has caused sustained periods of uncertainty for councils and their frontline staff.

4. Is concerned by the continual top-down nature of Welsh local government reform, as shown by the lack of meaningful engagement with council leaders and Chief Executives in the preparation of this paper, as well as the absence of strategic cost and benefit analysis taken on all previous local government reform proposals.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

0

37

55

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s Green Paper - Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People - which is currently out for consultation.

2. Notes the current configuration of 22 local authorities in Wales is not sustainable.

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

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

34

0

21

55

Amendment 1 was agreed.

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

Amendment. 4 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion: 

Believes that any proposals for local government reorganisation should aim to strengthen local democracy, integrate health and care, strengthen the Welsh language and offer more effective services to its users.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

46

5

4

55

Amendment 4 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6707 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s Green Paper - Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People - which is currently out for consultation.

2. Notes the current configuration of 22 local authorities in Wales is not sustainable.

3. Believes that any proposals for local government reorganisation should aim to strengthen local democracy, integrate health and care, strengthen the Welsh language and offer more effective services to its users.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

34

8

13

55

The motion as amended was agreed.

(30 mins)

8.

Plaid Cymru debate – The proposed renaming of the Second Severn Crossing

NDM6706 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the UK Government to hold a public consultation on the proposed renaming of the Second Severn Crossing.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the renaming of the Second Severn Crossing by the UK Government, with whom responsibility rests.

2. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s intention to conduct local consultations on the naming of new trunk road bridges in Wales.

Minutes:

The item started at 18.13

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6706 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the UK Government to hold a public consultation on the proposed renaming of the Second Severn Crossing.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

1

40

55

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the renaming of the Second Severn Crossing by the UK Government, with whom responsibility rests.

2. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s intention to conduct local consultations on the naming of new trunk road bridges in Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

45

1

9

55

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6706 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the renaming of the Second Severn Crossing by the UK Government, with whom responsibility rests.

2. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s intention to conduct local consultations on the naming of new trunk road bridges in Wales.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

44

1

9

54

The motion as amended was agreed.

(30 mins)

9.

Plaid Cymru debate – The school uniform grant

NDM6709 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the Welsh Government to reinstate the school uniform grant.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the Welsh Government’s intention to replace the school uniform grant with a more flexible policy which better suits the needs of disadvantaged learners.

Minutes:

The item started at 18.39

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6709 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the Welsh Government to reinstate the school uniform grant.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

29

55

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the Welsh Government’s intention to replace the school uniform grant with a more flexible policy which better suits the needs of disadvantaged learners.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

29

0

26

55

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6709 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the Welsh Government’s intention to replace the school uniform grant with a more flexible policy which better suits the needs of disadvantaged learners.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

29

0

26

55

The motion as amended was agreed.

10.

Voting Time

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.44, the bell was rung at 19.11 and the meeting adjourned and reconvened at 19.16 for voting time.

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

11.

Short Debate

NDM6708 David Rees (Aberavon)

The social fabric and future wellbeing of our valleys communities

Minutes:

The item started at 19.20

NDM6708 David Rees (Aberavon)

The social fabric and future wellbeing of our valleys communities