Agenda and minutes

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.31

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

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.20

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 2 and 7 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

To ask the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language

Siân Gwenllian (Arfon)

What further action will the Government take in response to serious disruption to education early in the new school term due to an increase in COVID-19 cases?

To ask the Minister for Social Justice]

Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales)

What is the Welsh Government doing to address women’s safety in public places?

The item started at 15.10

To the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language:

Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): What further action will the Government take in response to serious disruption to education early in the new school term due to an increase in COVID-19 cases?

To the Minister for Social Justice:

Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales): What is the Welsh Government doing to address women’s safety in public places?

The item started at 15.32

Rhys ab Owen made a statement on the unveiling of a statue for Betty Campbell – Wales’ first black head teacher who championed her nation’s multicultural heritage throughout her life.

Jayne Bryant made a statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Newport and Gwent Literary Club.

Russell George made a statement on the British Heart Foundation and their campaign for Gender Inequality and Heart Disease.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.39 the meeting was suspended by the Deputy Presiding Officer.

NDM7773 Luke Fletcher (South Wales West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with and affected by dementia in Wales;

b) the importance of unpaid carers in ensuring that the social care system in Wales was able to operate during the pandemic.

2. Further notes the necessity of an accurate dementia diagnosis to allow for unpaid carers, the health and social care systems and other bodies and service providers to accurately plan person-centred services, as stated in the national dementia action plan.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) fund research into developing accurate diagnostic tools to ensure that people who receive a diagnosis of dementia can access the correct support immediately post diagnosis;

b) fund post diagnostic support for all types of dementia across Wales;

c) establish a national dementia data observatory to ensure accuracy in dementia data and to collect, analyse and disseminate data on dementia to all service providers wishing to access data to help plan and deliver dementia services across Wales.

Dementia Action Plan for Wales 2018-22

Co-submitters

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy)
Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)
Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Altaf Hussain (South Wales West)
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
Jane Dodds (Mid and West Wales)
Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)
Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)
Gareth Davies (Vale of Clwyd)
Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)
Rhys ab Owen (South Wales Central)
Sioned Williams (South Wales West)
Joel James (South Wales Central)

The item started at 15.51

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

NDM7773 Luke Fletcher (South Wales West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with and affected by dementia in Wales;

b) the importance of unpaid carers in ensuring that the social care system in Wales was able to operate during the pandemic.

2. Further notes the necessity of an accurate dementia diagnosis to allow for unpaid carers, the health and social care systems and other bodies and service providers to accurately plan person-centred services, as stated in the national dementia action plan.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) fund research into developing accurate diagnostic tools to ensure that people who receive a diagnosis of dementia can access the correct support immediately post diagnosis;

b) fund post diagnostic support for all types of dementia across Wales;

c) establish a national dementia data observatory to ensure accuracy in dementia data and to collect, analyse and disseminate data on dementia to all service providers wishing to access data to help plan and deliver dementia services across Wales.

Dementia Action Plan for Wales 2018-22

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

NDM7783 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward a meaningful vote on the introduction of COVID passes before they become a legal requirement in Wales.

2. Believes that should the Welsh Government determine it necessary to bring forward COVID passports, this requirement must be brought to the Welsh Parliament for a substantive vote prior to their introduction.

3. Recognises that the reopening of society is thanks to the successful UK-wide vaccination programme.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that the Welsh Government will lay regulations by 28 September and hold a debate and vote on the mandatory use of the COVID pass in high-risk events and venues, on the 5 October.

2. Recognises that the reopening of society has been achieved thanks to the sacrifices and hard work of the citizens of Wales as well as the successful vaccination programme.

The motion was not moved.

NDM7784 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the positive economic impact of the removal of the Severn crossing tolls.

2. Regrets Welsh Government proposals which could lead to charges for motorists using the M4, A470, the A55 and other trunk roads.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) rule out the introduction of tolls and road pricing on Welsh roads;

b) promote greener transport through action such as:

i) increasing the provision of electric charging points on the Welsh road network;

ii) the further promotion of active travel; and

iii) the extension of free bus passes to those aged 16 to 25.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that we are in a climate emergency and notes that 17 per cent of Wales’s emissions come from transport.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) follow the advice of the UK Climate Change Committee to reduce the number of car journeys made and to encourage people to shift transport modes to public transport and active travel;

b) follow the advice of the UK Climate Change Committee to decarbonise vehicles and invest and co-ordinate the charging infrastructure to enable people to transition to electric vehicles and bikes with confidence.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2, 3 and 4 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Delete points 1 and 2.

Amendment 3 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Delete point 3(a) and replace with:

‘Improve public and greener transport infrastructure before considering the introduction of tolls and road pricing on Welsh roads’.

Amendment 4 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new sub-points at the end of point 3(b): 

seeking full devolution, with adequate funding, for all rail services in Wales;

tasking Transport for Wales with creating an all-Wales rail network, connecting the north with the south and enabling rail traffic between the major centres of population;

combining rail with a regulated bus service to ensure a public transport option is provided for all parts of Wales, including small towns and villages that currently have only sporadic public transport facilities;

giving local authorities the power to establish their own municipal bus companies;

setting out a national target that 10 per cent of all trips are done via cycling or scootering by 2030;

explore proposals for electric-only highways and tunnels in areas of high air pollution and congestion.

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:

NDM7784 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the positive economic impact of the removal of the Severn crossing tolls.

2. Regrets Welsh Government proposals which could lead to charges for motorists using the M4, A470, the A55 and other trunk roads.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) rule out the introduction of tolls and road pricing on Welsh roads;

b) promote greener transport through action such as:

i) increasing the provision of electric charging points on the Welsh road network;

ii) the further promotion of active travel; and

iii) the extension of free bus passes to those aged 16 to 25.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that we are in a climate emergency and notes that 17 per cent of Wales’s emissions come from transport.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) follow the advice of the UK Climate Change Committee to reduce the number of car journeys made and to encourage people to shift transport modes to public transport and active travel;

b) follow the advice of the UK Climate Change Committee to decarbonise vehicles and invest and co-ordinate the charging infrastructure to enable people to transition to electric vehicles and bikes with confidence.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2, 3 and 4 were de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7784 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that we are in a climate emergency and notes that 17 per cent of Wales’s emissions come from transport.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) follow the advice of the UK Climate Change Committee to reduce the number of car journeys made and to encourage people to shift transport modes to public transport and active travel;

b) follow the advice of the UK Climate Change Committee to decarbonise vehicles and invest and co-ordinate the charging infrastructure to enable people to transition to electric vehicles and bikes with confidence.

The motion as amended was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 17.48 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before voting time.

The item started at 17.52

NDM7785 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

Hands up on Holden - Time for transparency on mental health services in North Wales

The item started at 17.55

NDM7785 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

Hands up on Holden - Time for transparency on mental health services in North Wales