Decision details

The item started at 16.22

 

NDM5412 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the Report of the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Insert at start of motion and renumber accordingly:

1. Calls upon the Welsh Government to indicate a timeframe to respond to the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery, and

 

2. If minded to implement the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery, calls on the Welsh Government to define:

 

a) the function and structure of any new local authority areas;

 

b) a transparent system of monitoring and evaluating service delivery in those areas;

 

c) the anticipated number of electors per councillor in those areas.

 

Amendment 1 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Welcomes the evidence presented in the Commission report on the need to reduce complexity in public services and affirms that any changes to public service delivery should improve outcomes for our citizens.

 

Amendment 2 was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Voting on the motion and the remaining amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

 

Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Notes the report’s recommendation to begin the process of integrating health and social care, and regrets that the merger of these services was not considered fully.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	1	26	52

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that if a reduction in the number of local authorities is agreed, then a reduction in the overall number of councillors should take place.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
41	11	0	52

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Notes that voting reform for council elections was not part of the Williams Commission’s remit but believes that the implementation of STV would be the most appropriate method of electing a reduced number of councillors.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
15	0	37	52

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets that voting reform was not part of the Williams Commission’s remit and believes that any reorganisation of local government should increase accountability through the introduction of STV for council elections, as recommended by the Sunderland Commission, and as currently happens in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
16	0	36	52

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5412 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Calls upon the Welsh Government to indicate a timeframe to respond to the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery, and

 

2. If minded to implement the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery, calls on the Welsh Government to define:

 

a) the function and structure of any new local authority areas;

 

b) a transparent system of monitoring and evaluating service delivery in those areas;

 

c) the anticipated number of electors per councillor in those areas.

 

3. Notes the Report of the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery.

 

4. Welcomes the evidence presented in the Commission report on the need to reduce complexity in public services and affirms that any changes to public service delivery should improve outcomes for our citizens.

 

5.Believes that if a reduction in the number of local authorities is agreed, then a reduction in the overall number of councillors should take place.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
52	0	0	52

The motion as amended was agreed.