Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 237(v4) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 23/10/2019 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Education

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

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

 

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

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

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.19

 

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 3 and 5 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Counsel General and Brexit Minister]

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central) In light of the House of Commons last night approving a Brexit deal for the first time since the referendum in the form of the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, will the Counsel General make a statement to the Assembly?

 

[To ask the Minister for Economy and Transport]

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn) What discussions will the Welsh Government hold with the relevant authorities in light of the tragic news that the bodies of 39 people were found in a lorry container in Essex, having  entered the UK via Holyhead?

Minutes:

The item started at 15.15

 

To ask the Counsel General and Brexit Minister

 

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): In light of the House of Commons last night approving a Brexit deal for the first time since the referendum, in the form of the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement Bill, will the Counsel General make a statement to the Assembly?

 

To be answered by the Minister for Economy  and Transport

 

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): What discussions will the Welsh Government hold with the relevant authorities in light of the tragic news that the bodies of 39 people were found in a lorry container in Essex, having entered the UK via Holyhead?

 

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.35

 

Jayne Bryant made a statement on - 180 years of the Newport Rising.

 

Delyth Jewell made a statement on The Aberfan disaster.

 

(60 mins)

5.

Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) - Tackling LGBT Hate Crime

NDM7144 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to provide a progress report on its work to tackle LGBT hate crime in Wales.

2. Calls for the devolution of justice to ensure an integrated approach to tackling LGBT hate crime and protect LGBT people in Wales.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to outline its proposals on how the creation of a devolved Welsh justice system could promote the safety and wellbeing of LGBT people.

Co-Submitters
Leanne Wood (Rhondda)
Mick Antoniw (Pontypridd)

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.38

NDM7144 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to provide a progress report on its work to tackle LGBT hate crime in Wales.

2. Calls for the devolution of justice to ensure an integrated approach to tackling LGBT hate crime and protect LGBT people in Wales.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to outline its proposals on how the creation of a devolved Welsh justice system could promote the safety and wellbeing of LGBT people.

Co-Submitters
Leanne Wood (Rhondda)
Mick Antoniw (Pontypridd)

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

 

(60 mins)

6.

Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee report: School Funding in Wales

NDM7166 Lynne Neagle (Torfaen)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the Children, Young People and Education Committee Report - School Funding in Wales, which was laid in the Table Office on 10 July 2019.

Note: The response by the Welsh Government was laid on 16 October 2019.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.29

 

NDM7166 Lynne Neagle (Torfaen)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the Children, Young People and Education Committee Report - School Funding in Wales, which was laid in the Table Office on 10 July 2019.

 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(60 mins)

7.

Welsh Conservatives debate - Tackling Homelessness

NDM7167 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that current policies to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping are falling short of what is required.

2. Commends the good practice that is to be found in the sector and welcomes the establishment of the Welsh Government’s Homelessness Action Group.

3. Notes that:

a) there were 25 identified deaths of homeless people in Wales in 2018, a notable increase from the 11 identified deaths in 2017;

b) 25,937 people experienced homelessness across Wales in 2017/18, according to figures by Shelter Cymru;

c) between 2012 and 2017 the number of people sleeping rough in Wales increased by 75 per cent, and the number sleeping in cars, tents and on public transport increased by 50 per cent according to research by Crisis and Heriot-Watt University;

4. Further notes the Welsh Conservatives 10 point action plan to tackle homelessness: ‘More than a Refuge’;

5.Calls on the Welsh Government to appoint a homelessness tsar, ideally someone who has lived experience of homelessness and who can scrutinise the progress towards ending homelessness in Wales.  

Welsh Conservatives – More than a Refuge

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Recognises that there is always more that can be done to tackle homelessness. 

2. Commends the good practice that is to be found in the housing sector in relation to homelessness including the partnership work that supports the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Housing First approach.

3. Welcomes the establishment and the first report of the Welsh Government’s Homelessness Action Group developed in partnership with the sector, including homelessness charities.

4. Notes:

a) That one homeless death is a tragedy.

b) The impact that austerity and welfare reform has had on the numbers of people experiencing homelessness.

5. Further notes the Welsh Government’s Strategy for Preventing and Ending Homelessness and public sector pledge campaign.

Homelessness Action Group: Report October 2019

Strategy for Preventing and Ending Homelessness

[If Amendment 1 is agreed amendments 2 – 7 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that the failure of all Welsh Governments over the past 20 years to resolve homelessness in Wales is a national disgrace.

Amendment 3 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Delete point 2.

Amendment 4 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that duplication of service, inflated salaries amongst senior managers in the third sector, combined with cuts to local government in Wales is making an already bad homelessness situation worse.

Amendment 5 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert as new sub-point at end of point 3:

'these trends have been noted in England, which has also experienced a rise in the number of deaths of rough sleepers.'

Amendment 6 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete points 4 and 5.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendment 7 has not been selected.

Amendment 8 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that the UK Government’s cuts to social security have contributed towards the increase in homelessness, as was predicted to happen by the sector.

Amendment 9 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that priority need wasn’t phased out in favour of a general duty to secure safe accommodation during the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, and believes this was a missed opportunity.

Housing (Wales) Act 2014

Amendment 10 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the UK Government to adopt the recommendations of the Crisis report on ending homelessness that apply to non-devolved policy areas, and calls on the Welsh Government to implement the recommendations of the crisis report that apply to its areas of responsibility.

Crisis - Everybody In - How to end homelessness in Great Britain

Amendment 11 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Ensure that the Vagrancy Act 1824 is operationally disapplied in all police force areas in Wales in order to avoid criminalising homeless people for rough-sleeping and begging.

Vagrancy Act 1824

Amendment 12 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

As well as providing housing, calls on the Welsh Government to also ensure proper service provision for people at risk of homelessness, such as people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, problematic substance users, people with ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders, prisoners, veterans, childhood sexual abuse and domestic abuse survivors and those with adverse childhood experiences. 

Amendment 13 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to declare a homelessness emergency and put forward housing first policies to take people off the streets.

Amendment 14 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to prioritise local need in dealing with homelessness.

Amendment 15 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to instigate a root and branch review of all public money spent in the housing sector in order to tackle homelessness.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.34

 

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7167 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that current policies to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping are falling short of what is required.

2. Commends the good practice that is to be found in the sector and welcomes the establishment of the Welsh Government’s Homelessness Action Group.

3. Notes that:

a) there were 25 identified deaths of homeless people in Wales in 2018, a notable increase from the 11 identified deaths in 2017;

b) 25,937 people experienced homelessness across Wales in 2017/18, according to figures by Shelter Cymru;

c) between 2012 and 2017 the number of people sleeping rough in Wales increased by 75 per cent, and the number sleeping in cars, tents and on public transport increased by 50 per cent according to research by Crisis and Heriot-Watt University;

4. Further notes the Welsh Conservatives 10 point action plan to tackle homelessness: ‘More than a Refuge’;

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to appoint a homelessness tsar, ideally someone who has lived experience of homelessness and who can scrutinise the progress towards ending homelessness in Wales.  

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

1

35

47

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Recognises that there is always more that can be done to tackle homelessness. 

2. Commends the good practice that is to be found in the housing sector in relation to homelessness including the partnership work that supports the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Housing First approach.

3. Welcomes the establishment and the first report of the Welsh Government’s Homelessness Action Group developed in partnership with the sector, including homelessness charities.

4. Notes:

a) That one homeless death is a tragedy.

b) The impact that austerity and welfare reform has had on the numbers of people experiencing homelessness.

5. Further notes the Welsh Government’s Strategy for Preventing and Ending Homelessness and public sector pledge campaign.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

22

48

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2-6 were de-selected

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii), amendment 7 was not  selected.

Amendment 8 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that the UK Government’s cuts to social security have contributed towards the increase in homelessness, as was predicted to happen by the sector.

A vote was taken on amendment 8:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

3

8

48

Amendment 8 was agreed.

Amendment 9 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that priority need wasn’t phased out in favour of a general duty to secure safe accommodation during the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, and believes this was a missed opportunity.

A vote was taken on amendment 9:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

37

48

Amendment 9 was not agreed.

Amendment 10 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the UK Government to adopt the recommendations of the Crisis report on ending homelessness that apply to non-devolved policy areas, and calls on the Welsh Government to implement the recommendations of the crisis report that apply to its areas of responsibility.

A vote was taken on amendment 10:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

8

0

48

Amendment 10 was agreed.

Amendment 11 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Ensure that the Vagrancy Act 1824 is operationally disapplied in all police force areas in Wales in order to avoid criminalising homeless people for rough-sleeping and begging.

A vote was taken on amendment 11:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

46

2

0

48

Amendment 11 was agreed.

Amendment 12 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

As well as providing housing, calls on the Welsh Government to also ensure proper service provision for people at risk of homelessness, such as people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, problematic substance users, people with ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders, prisoners, veterans, childhood sexual abuse and domestic abuse survivors and those with adverse childhood experiences. 

A vote was taken on amendment 12:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

48

0

0

48

Amendment 12 was agreed.

Amendment 13 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to declare a homelessness emergency and put forward housing first policies to take people off the streets.

A vote was taken on amendment 13:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

0

34

48

Amendment 13 was not agreed.

Amendment 14 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to prioritise local need in dealing with homelessness.

A vote was taken on amendment 14:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

6

0

42

48

Amendment 14 was not agreed.

Amendment 15 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to instigate a root and branch review of all public money spent in the housing sector in order to tackle homelessness.

A vote was taken on amendment 15:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

6

0

42

48

Amendment 15 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7167 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that there is always more that can be done to tackle homelessness.

2. Commends the good practice that is to be found in the housing sector in relation to homelessness including the partnership work that supports the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Housing First approach.

3. Welcomes the establishment and the first report of the Welsh Government’s Homelessness Action Group developed in partnership with the sector, including homelessness charities.

4. Notes:

a) That one homeless death is a tragedy.

b) The impact that austerity and welfare reform has had on the numbers of people experiencing homelessness.

5. Further notes the Welsh Government’s Strategy for Preventing and Ending Homelessness and public sector pledge campaign.

6. Recognises that the UK Government’s cuts to social security have contributed towards the increase in homelessness, as was predicted to happen by the sector.

7. Calls on the UK Government to adopt the recommendations of the Crisis report on ending homelessness that apply to non-devolved policy areas, and calls on the Welsh Government to implement the recommendations of the crisis report that apply to its areas of responsibility.

8. Ensures that the Vagrancy Act 1824 is operationally disapplied in all police force areas in Wales in order to avoid criminalising homeless people for rough-sleeping and begging.

9. As well as providing housing, calls on the Welsh Government to also ensure proper service provision for people at risk of homelessness, such as people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, problematic substance users, people with ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders, prisoners, veterans, childhood sexual abuse and domestic abuse survivors and those with adverse childhood experiences. 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

29

8

11

48

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

 

8.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.45

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

9.

Short Debate

NDM7165 Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

The power of co-operative housing solutions in helping to meet housing needs in communities across Wales.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 18.50

 

NDM7165 Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

 

The power of co-operative housing solutions in helping to meet housing needs in communities across Wales.