Meeting Venue:
Y Siambr - Y Senedd
Meeting date:
Wednesday, 11 October 2017
Meeting time: 13.30
This meeting can be
viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/4649
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View the Record of Proceedings
The item started at 13.30
Questions 1–4 and 6–9 were asked. Question 5 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.
The item started at 14.20
The 6 questions were asked.
The item started at 14.48
No topical questions were selected.
The item started at 14.48
Mark Isherwood made a statement on Hospice Care Week.
Rhun ap Iorwerth made a statement on the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for people fleeing Myanmar.
The item started at 14.51
NDM6524 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Notes the report of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee on its inquiry into the impact of congestion on bus services which was laid in the Table Office on 28 July 2017.
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
The item started at 15.41
NDM6525 David Rees (Aberavon)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Notes the report of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on its inquiry into the implications of Brexit for Welsh ports, which was laid in the Table Office on 4 August 2017
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
The item started at 16.44
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM6526 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Believes that:
a) small businesses constitute the economic and social heart of the Welsh high street but that the current business rates regime significantly disadvantages retailers in small towns and cities;
b) business rates are inherently inequitable because they bear little, if any, relation to business profitability and they have a chilling effect on town centres by adding significant costs to the establishment of new businesses;
c) reducing the impact of business rates would help businesses survive the challenges posed by internet shopping and give a significant boost to the high street.
2. Resolves that:
a) as an interim measure, pending the replacement of business rates by a tax related to ability to pay, business premises with a rateable value below £15,000 should be exempt and the rates of business properties within the band of £15,000 - £50,000 are reduced by 20%;
b) Welsh local authorities should encourage local trade by offering at least 60 minutes free parking in their town centre car parks;
c) out-of-town shopping developments should bear a greater but reasonable share of the burden of business rates, and such rates should apply to their car parks, to help revive town centres.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
5 |
0 |
43 |
48 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan):
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized businesses to the success of communities and the wider Welsh economy.
2. Notes the vital importance of cross-government policies that support businesses on Welsh high streets to thrive and grow.
3. Recognises the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting high street retailers and other businesses by providing more than £200 million of funding in 2017-18 to support around three-quarters of ratepayers in Wales through rates relief.
4. Acknowledges that in 2017-18, more than half of all businesses across Wales pay no rates at all.
5. Notes the Welsh Government's intention to put in place a permanent small business rate relief scheme which is simpler, fairer and better targeted towards growing businesses in Wales from April 2018.
A vote was taken on amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
25 |
0 |
23 |
48 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2 and 3 were de-selected.
Amendment 4. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):
Add as new point at end of motion:
Regrets that the Welsh Government has presided over the highest high street vacancy rate in Great Britain in 2017, at 14.5 per cent.
A vote was taken on amendment 4:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
22 |
1 |
25 |
48 |
Amendment 4 was not agreed.
Amendment 5. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):
Add as new point at end of motion:
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) abolish business rates for all small businesses with rateable values of up to £15,000; and
b) reform the business rates system and explore splitting the Welsh multiplier to increase the competitiveness of smaller businesses.
A vote was taken on amendment 5:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
15 |
0 |
33 |
48 |
Amendment 5 was not agreed.
Amendment 6. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):
Add as new point at end of motion:
Believes that the Welsh Government should extend the funding available to support free parking pilot schemes in Wales.
A vote was taken on amendment 6:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
22 |
0 |
26 |
48 |
Amendment 6 was not agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the importance of micro, small and medium-sized businesses to the success of communities and the wider Welsh economy.
2. Notes the vital importance of cross-government policies that support businesses on Welsh high streets to thrive and grow.
3. Recognises the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting high street retailers and other businesses by providing more than £200 million of funding in 2017-18 to support around three-quarters of ratepayers in Wales through rates relief.
4. Acknowledges that in 2017-18, more than half of all businesses across Wales pay no rates at all.
5. Notes the Welsh Government's intention to put in place a permanent small business rate relief scheme which is simpler, fairer and better targeted towards growing businesses in Wales from April 2018.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
25 |
0 |
22 |
47 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
The item started at 17.25
The item started at 17.28
Short Debate
NDM6522 Dai Lloyd (South Wales West)
Protecting and developing regional centres of medical excellence
The meeting concluded at 17.52
The Assembly will sit again in Plenary at 13.30, Tuesday, 17 October 2017