Meeting Venue:
Y Siambr - Y Senedd
Meeting date:
Tuesday, 9 November 2021
Meeting time: 13.30
This meeting can be
viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/12493
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This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.
1 Questions to the First Minister
The item started at 13.30
The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party leaders to ask questions to the First Minister after question 2.
2 Business Statement and Announcement
The item started at 14.32.
3 Statement by the Minister for Economy: The Foundational Economy
The item started at 14.58.
In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.31 the meeting was suspended by the Presiding Officer.
4 Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Wales and Africa
The item started at 15.39.
5 The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 19) Regulations 2021
The item started at 16.33
Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
NDM7822 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:
1. Approves that the draft The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 19) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 29 October 2021.
Supporting
Documents
Explanatory
Memorandum
The result was as follows:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
39 |
0 |
15 |
54 |
The motion was agreed.
6 The Representation of the People (Amendment) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (No. 2) Regulations 2021
The item started at 17.26
NDM7821 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:
1. Approves that the draft The Representation of the People (Amendment) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 26 October 2021.
Supporting
Documents
Explanatory
Memorandum
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
7 Debate: Voter Inclusion
The item started at 17.31
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
NDM7818 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s efforts to modernise electoral administration in Wales to ensure that people can vote and their votes are counted.
2. Notes the Welsh Government’s principles for Electoral Reform as set out in the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution’s written statement on 15 July 2021.
3. Regrets the proposals by the UK Government to introduce voter ID and restrict access to postal and proxy voting, which will suppress voting and deny people in Wales their fundamental democratic rights.
Written Statement: Framework for electoral reform – 15 July 2021
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Believes that elections in Wales should be free and fair.
2. Welcomes the UK Government’s election Bill and its provisions to strengthen the integrity of elections.
3. Notes that the introduction of voter ID has been backed by the Electoral Commission and that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has stated that its absence is a security risk.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to improve the integrity of all elections held in Wales.
A vote was taken on amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
15 |
0 |
39 |
54 |
Amendment 1 was not agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion:
NDM7818 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s efforts to modernise electoral administration in Wales to ensure that people can vote and their votes are counted.
2. Notes the Welsh Government’s principles for Electoral Reform as set out in the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution’s written statement on 15 July 2021.
3. Regrets the proposals by the UK Government to introduce voter ID and restrict access to postal and proxy voting, which will suppress voting and deny people in Wales their fundamental democratic rights.
Written Statement: Framework for electoral reform – 15 July 2021
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
40 |
0 |
14 |
54 |
The motion was agreed.
8 Debate: Remembering and supporting our Armed Forces community in Wales
The item started at 18.27
NDM7819 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Remembers and recognises the contribution of all those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
2. Welcomes and pays tribute to the support that third sector organisations provide to our Armed Forces community in Wales, especially the Royal British Legion, which is in its 100th anniversary year.
3. Expresses the upmost gratitude for the efforts of the Armed Forces throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the support they continue to provide in a number of settings, including for the Welsh Ambulance Service.
4. Notes the Welsh Government’s commitment to honouring the Armed Forces Covenant through the provision of bespoke services and support for our Armed Forces community and ongoing collaboration and engagement with stakeholders.
Co-submitters
Darren
Millar (Clwyd West)
Sian
Gwenllian (Arfon)
Jane
Dodds (Mid and West Wales)
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1 – Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)
Add as new points at end of motion:
Supports the need to strive for peaceful resolutions to all conflicts and for an end to war
Remembers all those who have lost their lives in wars and conflicts, including civilian casualties.
The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
The motion was amended as follows:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Remembers and recognises the contribution of all those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
2. Welcomes and pays tribute to the support that third sector organisations provide to our Armed Forces community in Wales, especially the Royal British Legion, which is in its 100th anniversary year.
3. Expresses the upmost gratitude for the efforts of the Armed Forces throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the support they continue to provide in a number of settings, including for the Welsh Ambulance Service.
4. Notes the Welsh Government’s commitment to honouring the Armed Forces Covenant through the provision of bespoke services and support for our Armed Forces community and ongoing collaboration and engagement with stakeholders.
5. Supports the need to strive for peaceful resolutions to all conflicts and for an end to war
6. Remembers all those who have lost their lives in wars and conflicts, including civilian casualties.
The motion as amended was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 19.21 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before Voting Time.
9 Voting Time
The item started at 19.27
The meeting concluded at 19.31
The Senedd will sit again in Plenary at 13.30, Wednesday, 10 November 2021