Decision details

Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate

Decision Maker: Plenary - Fourth Assembly

Status: Recommendations approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

Debates are one of the most frequent items of business on the Plenary agenda. Many types of debate are brought forward in Plenary, including:

  • Opposition party debates on a topic of their choice;

Other than in the case of Government debates, the time allocated for all other types of debates and their frequency are determined by the Business Committee

Decision:

The item started at 17.17

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5615 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the current forecasts that the concession agreement for the Severn Bridges will come to an end in 2018 and that early discussions need to take place as to the future ownership, maintenance and tolling system for the bridges.

 

2. Believes that the current tolling system is an unfair burden on businesses, commuters and the public.

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work closely with the UK Government on planning for the future of the bridges.

 

4. Calls on the UK Government to abolish the tolls on the Severn Bridges once the existing construction and repair costs are paid off.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

5

0

39

44

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 4 and replace with

 

4. Calls for responsibility for setting tolls on the Severn crossings, following the concession, to be transferred to the Welsh Government.

 

5. Calls on the next Welsh Government to reduce the tolls on the Severn Bridges to reflect maintenance costs only, and for the longer term option of abolishing the tolls to be kept under review.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

0

5

44

Amendment 1 was agreed

 

As Amendment 1 was agreed Amendments 2 and 3 were de-selected.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5615 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the current forecasts that the concession agreement for the Severn Bridges will come to an end in 2018 and that early discussions need to take place as to the future ownership, maintenance and tolling system for the bridges.

 

2. Believes that the current tolling system is an unfair burden on businesses, commuters and the public.

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work closely with the UK Government on planning for the future of the bridges.

 

4. Calls for responsibility for setting tolls on the Severn crossings, following the concession, to be transferred to the Welsh Government.

 

5. Calls on the next Welsh Government to reduce the tolls on the Severn Bridges to reflect maintenance costs only, and for the longer term option of abolishing the tolls to be kept under review.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

0

5

44

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

Publication date: 12/11/2014

Date of decision: 12/11/2014

Decided at meeting: 12/11/2014 - Plenary - Fourth Assembly