Meeting Venue:
Y Siambr - Y Senedd
Meeting date:
Wednesday, 27 September 2023
Meeting time: 13.30
This meeting can be
viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/13488
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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 Minister for Climate Change
The item started at 13.30
The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 1, 4 and 7 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.
2 Questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language
The item started at 14.19
The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.
3 Topical Questions
The item started at 15.10
Answered by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change
Cefin Campbell (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the announcement that the Fflecsi Bwcabus service will be coming to an end, and the impact of this on the communities of Mid and West Wales?
Answered by the Minister for Health and Social Services
Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire): Will the Minister make a statement on reports that Withybush hospital will be partially closed for most of 2024?
At 15.45, Darren Millar raised a Point of Order regarding figures referred to by the Minister for Health and Social Services in her response to the Topical Question from Paul Davies.
4 90 Second Statements
The item started at 15.45
Russell George made a statement on – World Pharmacy Day (25 September).
Rhys ab Owen made a statement on – Clwb Ifor Bach is 40.
5 Motion to amend Standing Orders - The making of statutory instruments following EU withdrawal
The item started at 15.49
NDM8363 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:
1. Considers the report of the Business Committee, Amending Standing Orders: The making of statutory instruments following EU withdrawal, laid in the Table Office on 20 September 2023.
2. Approves the proposals to amend Standing Orders 21, 27, 30B and 30C, as set out in Annex A of the Business Committee’s report.
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
6 Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) - Full devolution of water
The item started at 15.50
Amendment 1 was not moved.
Voting on the motion without amendment under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM8274 Rhys ab Owen (South Wales Central)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Calls on the Welsh Government to formally request the UK Government to commence section 48(1) of the Wales Act 2017, which would align the boundary for legislative competence for water with the national border.
2. Calls on the Welsh Government to formally request the powers for the licensing of a water supply or sewerage licensee thereby fully devolving water to Wales.
Co-submitters
Jane Dodds (Mid and West Wales)
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
43 |
3 |
12 |
58 |
The motion without amendment was agreed.
7 Debate on petition P-06-1332 - Fund vaccine research to protect red squirrels from deadly Squirrelpox virus
The item started at 16.30
NDM8359 Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the petition ‘P-06-1332 Fund vaccine research to protect red squirrels from deadly Squirrelpox virus’ which received 11,306 signatures.
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
8 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Community assets
The item started at 16.59
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM8361 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Recognises that community assets act as local hubs and provide important access to information, services, skills and social experiences.
2. Further recognises community assets improve community cohesion and allow local communities to take control of shaping the area they live in.
3. Notes Audit Wales’s community resilience and self-reliance report which outlines that local authorities find it difficult to empower people and communities to be more self-reliant and less dependent on services.
4. Regrets that there is no statutory right for communities in Wales to buy land or assets as in Scotland, and no right to bid, challenge, or build as in England.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) protect community assets by enabling local people to run and expand facilities that benefit the local community; and
b) introduce a Community Ownership Fund and Right to Bid to support the takeover of assets such as libraries, pubs, leisure centres and green spaces.
Audit Wales: 'Together we can’ – Community resilience and self-reliance
Supporters
Natasha Asghar (South Wales East)
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
29 |
0 |
30 |
59 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer used her casting vote by voting against the motion without amendment. Therefore, the motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
Delete points 4 and 5 and replace with:
Welcomes the Welsh Government’s long-standing commitment to:
a) protect community assets by enabling local people to run and expand facilities that benefit the local community;
b) recognise, promote and share best practice across the public sector through Ystadau Cymru; and
c) establishing a Community Assets Commission with a remit to further stimulate innovative thinking on community ownership of land and assets in Wales.
A vote was taken on amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
42 |
0 |
16 |
58 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM8361 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Recognises that community assets act as local hubs and provide important access to information, services, skills and social experiences.
2. Further recognises community assets improve community cohesion and allow local communities to take control of shaping the area they live in.
3. Notes Audit Wales’s community resilience and self-reliance report which outlines that local authorities find it difficult to empower people and communities to be more self-reliant and less dependent on services.
4. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s long-standing commitment to:
a) protect community assets by enabling local people to run and expand facilities that benefit the local community;
b) recognise, promote and share best practice across the public sector through Ystadau Cymru; and
c) establishing a Community Assets Commission with a remit to further stimulate innovative thinking on community ownership of land and assets in Wales.
Audit Wales: 'Together we can’ – Community resilience and self-reliance
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
58 |
0 |
0 |
58 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
9 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Deputy Minister for Climate Change
The item started at 17.34
Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
NDM8362 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)
To propose that the Senedd:
Has no confidence in the Deputy Minister for Climate Change given the record-breaking number of signatories to the petition: 'We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law'.
Petition: We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law
The result was as follows:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
16 |
0 |
42 |
58 |
The motion was not agreed.
10 Voting Time
The item started at 18.28
11 Short Debate
The item started at 18.34
NDM8360 Luke Fletcher (South Wales West)
Navigating Wales's Brain Drain: Challenges and Solutions
The meeting concluded at 18.59
The Senedd will sit again in Plenary at 13.30, Tuesday, 3 October 2023