Meeting Venue:
Y Siambr - Y Senedd
Meeting date:
Wednesday, 25 April 2018
Meeting time: 13.30
This meeting can be
viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/4978
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The item started at 13.30
The first 9 questions were asked. Question 2 was answered by the Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister after question 2.
The item started at 14.30
The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister for Children and Social Care after question 2.
David Melding raised a Point of Order under Standing Order 6.15 and Standing Order 12.50 regarding the Government’s announcement of a review of affordable housing supply through a written statement. He referenced endorsements from housing policy organisations, included by the Government in a press release, which alluded to the review’s importance, and questioned whether its announcement was therefore more suitable as an oral statement.
The Presiding Officer thanked the Member for his Point of Order, and stated that while Government business is a matter for Welsh Ministers, they are accountable to the Assembly. She stated her expectation that Welsh Ministers should not undermine that principle by making major policy announcement outside the Chamber, so that Members are afforded the opportunity for scrutiny. The Presiding Officer also reminded Members of other opportunities available to them to bring issues to the Chamber if the Government fails to do so, and of their ability to make representations about proposed Government business through the Business Committee.
No topical questions were accepted.
The item started at 15.28
Mike Hedges made a statement on the 150th anniversary of the Baptist Union of Wales.
David Melding made a statement on the centenary of the Royal Air Force.
The item started at 15.31
The item started at 15.46
The item started at 17.11
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM6707 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that the Welsh Government Green Paper – Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People – is the third proposal in three years put forward by the Welsh Government on local government reform.
2. Further notes that local authorities were working towards regional arrangements put forward under the Cabinet Secretary Local Government and Public Service’s predecessor.
3. Regrets that the latest proposal has caused sustained periods of uncertainty for councils and their frontline staff.
4. Is concerned by the continual top-down nature of Welsh local government reform, as shown by the lack of meaningful engagement with council leaders and Chief Executives in the preparation of this paper, as well as the absence of strategic cost and benefit analysis taken on all previous local government reform proposals.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
18 |
0 |
37 |
55 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)
Delete all and replace with:
1. Notes the Welsh Government’s Green Paper - Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People - which is currently out for consultation.
2. Notes the current configuration of 22 local authorities in Wales is not sustainable.
[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]
A vote was taken on amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
34 |
0 |
21 |
55 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2 and 3 were de-selected.
Amendment. 4 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Believes that any proposals for local government reorganisation should aim to strengthen local democracy, integrate health and care, strengthen the Welsh language and offer more effective services to its users.
A vote was taken on amendment 4:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
46 |
5 |
4 |
55 |
Amendment 4 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM6707 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes the Welsh Government’s Green Paper - Strengthening Local Government: Delivering for People - which is currently out for consultation.
2. Notes the current configuration of 22 local authorities in Wales is not sustainable.
3. Believes that any proposals for local government reorganisation should aim to strengthen local democracy, integrate health and care, strengthen the Welsh language and offer more effective services to its users.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
34 |
8 |
13 |
55 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
The item started at 18.13
Voting on the motion and amendment under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM6706 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Calls on the UK Government to hold a public consultation on the proposed renaming of the Second Severn Crossing.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
14 |
1 |
40 |
55 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes the renaming of the Second Severn Crossing by the UK Government, with whom responsibility rests.
2. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s intention to conduct local consultations on the naming of new trunk road bridges in Wales.
A vote was taken on amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
45 |
1 |
9 |
55 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM6706 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes the renaming of the Second Severn Crossing by the UK Government, with whom responsibility rests.
2. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s intention to conduct local consultations on the naming of new trunk road bridges in Wales.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
44 |
1 |
9 |
54 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
The item started at 18.39
Voting on the motion and amendment under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM6709 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Calls on the Welsh Government to reinstate the school uniform grant.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
26 |
0 |
29 |
55 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Notes the Welsh Government’s intention to replace the school uniform grant with a more flexible policy which better suits the needs of disadvantaged learners.
A vote was taken on amendment 1:
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
29 |
0 |
26 |
55 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM6709 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Notes the Welsh Government’s intention to replace the school uniform grant with a more flexible policy which better suits the needs of disadvantaged learners.
|
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|
29 |
0 |
26 |
55 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
In accordance with Standing Order 12.44, the bell was rung at 19.11 and the meeting adjourned and reconvened at 19.16 for voting time.
The item started at 19.20
NDM6708 David Rees (Aberavon)
The social fabric and future wellbeing of our valleys communities
The meeting concluded at 19.43
The Assembly will sit again in Plenary at 13.30, Tuesday, 1 May 2018