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Votes and Proceedings (193) |
1 Questions to the First Minister
The item started at 13.30
The first 10 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 14.15
3 Statement by the Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology: Welsh and UK Government Alignment of Employment Support
The item started at 14.33
4 Debate: The approval of the draft 'Children's Rights Scheme 2014' under the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011
The item started at 15.06
NDM5489 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with section 3(6) of the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011, approves the draft Children's Rights Scheme 2014 laid before the Assembly on 22 April 2014.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s statement, included in annex 3 to the Children’s Rights Scheme 2014, that the obligation to take the child’s best interests as a primary consideration “extends also to the approval of budgets, the preparation and development of which require the adoption of a best-interests-of-the-child perspective for it to be child-rights sensitive”.
Amendment 1 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Voting on the remaining amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Regrets the lack of reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in recent legislation, such as the School Standards & Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, as recommended by the Children and Young People Committee, and calls on the Welsh Government to underline Wales’s commitment to the UNCRC by including reference to “due regard” on the face of any future legislation which would affect children.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
15 |
10 |
26 |
51 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the 2013 Wales NGO Interim Report ‘Rights Here, Right Now: Are Children’s Rights a Reality in Wales?’ and calls on the Welsh Government to ensure effective monitoring mechanisms are in place in order to deliver “concerted action in reducing the implementation gap between national policy rhetoric and local delivery”.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 3 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5489 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
1.To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with section 3(6) of the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011, approves the draft Children's Rights Scheme 2014 laid before the Assembly on 22 April 2014.
2.Notes the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s statement, included in annex 3 to the Children’s Rights Scheme 2014, that the obligation to take the child’s best interests as a primary consideration “extends also to the approval of budgets, the preparation and development of which require the adoption of a best-interests-of-the-child perspective for it to be child-rights sensitive.
3.Notes the 2013 Wales NGO Interim Report ‘Rights Here, Right Now: Are Children’s Rights a Reality in Wales?’ and calls on the Welsh Government to ensure effective monitoring mechanisms are in place in order to deliver “concerted action in reducing the implementation gap between national policy rhetoric and local delivery”.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
5 Debate: Proposals for the Wales Rural Development Programme 2014-2020
The item started at 15.45
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
NDM5490 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Notes that the Welsh Government’s proposals for the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will stimulate and strengthen the economy, environment and social cohesion of rural Wales’.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Delete all and replace with:
Notes the Welsh Government’s proposals for the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
Amendment 2 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Regrets the Welsh Government’s decision to opt for the maximum transfer of 15% away from direct payments to farmers in Pillar 1 of the Common Agricultural Policy to the Rural Development Programme, making Welsh farm businesses less competitive.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
25 |
1 |
26 |
52 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
Amendment 3 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Seeks assurances that measures delivered through the Rural Development Programme will have an immediate, demonstrable and measureable impact on farm incomes.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
Amendment 4 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) develop a stand-alone scheme for Less Favourable Areas to support those farming the most challenging areas of Wales;
b) encourage more farmers to take advantage of the Glastir scheme by simplifying and expanding access to it.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
16 |
10 |
26 |
52 |
Amendment 4 was not agreed.
Amendment 5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Regrets the Welsh Government’s decision to modulate the full 15% from Pillar 1 to Pillar 2.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Resolves that the Welsh Government should demonstrate annually the impact of the Rural Development Programme on farm incomes.
A vote was taken on Amendment 6:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
27 |
0 |
25 |
52 |
Amendment 6 was agreed.
Amendment 7 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Calls on the government to prioritise support for young farmers in order to stimulate the farming sector.
A vote was taken on Amendment 7:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 7 was agreed.
Amendment 8 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the significant contribution of the rural economy to the wider Welsh economy and recognises the potential for economic development through the Rural Development Programme.
A vote was taken on Amendment 8:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 8 was agreed.
Amendment 9 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Calls on the Welsh Government to deliver a dedicated Areas of Natural Constraint scheme for Upland farms.
A vote was taken on Amendment 9:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5490 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.Notes that the Welsh Government’s proposals for the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will stimulate and strengthen the economy, environment and social cohesion of rural Wales’.
2.Resolves that the Welsh Government should demonstrate annually the impact of the Rural Development Programme on farm incomes.
3.Calls on the government to prioritise support for young farmers in order to stimulate the farming sector.
4.Notes the significant contribution of the rural economy to the wider Welsh economy and recognises the potential for economic development through the Rural Development Programme.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
12 |
0 |
40 |
52 |
The motion as amended was not agreed.
6 Debate: The Second Report of the Silk Commission on Devolution in Wales
The item started at 16.32
Voting on the motion and amendment under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
NDM5491 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Welcomes the publication of the latest unanimously agreed report by the UK Government’s Silk Commission - "Empowerment and Responsibility: Legislative Powers to Strengthen Wales" and views the report as the basis for much needed reform of the devolution settlement for Wales.
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the Silk Commission’s recommendations to include key legislative reforms within party manifestos, such as introducing a reserved powers model, transferring powers to the National Assembly, and strengthening the capacity of the National Assembly to scrutinise legislation, and encourages Welsh political parties to follow this proposal.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
41 |
11 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5491 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.Welcomes the publication of the latest unanimously agreed report by the UK Government’s Silk Commission - "Empowerment and Responsibility: Legislative Powers to Strengthen Wales" and views the report as the basis for much needed reform of the devolution settlement for Wales.
2.Notes the Silk Commission’s recommendations to include key legislative reforms within party manifestos, such as introducing a reserved powers model, transferring powers to the National Assembly, and strengthening the capacity of the National Assembly to scrutinise legislation, and encourages Welsh political parties to follow this proposal.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
41 |
11 |
0 |
52 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
Voting Time
The item started at 17.19
Proceedings were suspended until 17.30 due to a technical fault with the electronic voting system. The meeting reconvened at 17.30 and the DPO informed Members that a vote by show of hands under Standing Order 12.43(i) might be necessary and asked if any Member objected. No Members objected. Proceedings were suspended so that preparations could be made. The meeting reconvened at 17.37 and the votes were conducted by electronic means.
The meeting concluded at 17.44
The Assembly will sit again in Plenary at 13.30, Wednesday, 30 April 2014