Decision details

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

The item started at 16.11

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5923 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that communities across Wales have been devastated by flooding in recent weeks; and pays tribute to the work of all of those who have provided vital support to those communities;

2. Recognises the importance of thorough, collaborative engagement with stakeholders across Wales in the development of a robust, flood prevention strategy; and

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to take immediate, tangible action to support flood-hit communities, including:

a) exploring the viability of providing rate relief to impacted businesses;

b) reviewing how the Trunk Road Agency responds to adverse weather conditions, and in particular assessing the management of the A55 in relation to flooding;

c) providing additional freedoms to farmers and landowners to undertake any necessary clearance of ditches, drains and agricultural channels; and

d) assessing how the Rural Development Programme can better support flood prevention schemes for communities affected by flooding.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
17	0	36	53

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the failure of the UK Government to apply for EU solidarity funds for flood relief.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
40	0	13	53

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the decision of the UK Government to cut support for clean energy projects, which threatens our ability to tackle climate change and will increase the risk of extreme weather conditions and flooding in the future.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
40	0	13	53

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

At start of sub-point 3c), insert:

'reviewing the evidence for'

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	26	53

Amendment 3 was agreed.

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new sub-point at end of point 3:

Promoting schemes to alleviate flood risk through innovative land management including by planting trees and vegetation to slow run-off, restoring wetland areas, and creating safe flood reservoirs.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
53	0	0	53

Amendment 4 was agreed.

Amendment 5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to strengthen the planning guidance regarding development on land susceptible to flooding.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
53	0	0	53

Amendment 5 was agreed.

Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to make more use of the natural environment in its management of flood risk.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
53	0	0	53

Amendment 6 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5923 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that communities across Wales have been devastated by flooding in recent weeks; and pays tribute to the work of all of those who have provided vital support to those communities;

2. Recognises the importance of thorough, collaborative engagement with stakeholders across Wales in the development of a robust, flood prevention strategy; and

3. Regrets the failure of the UK Government to apply for EU solidarity funds for flood relief.

4. Regrets the decision of the UK Government to cut support for clean energy projects, which threatens our ability to tackle climate change and will increase the risk of extreme weather conditions and flooding in the future.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to take immediate, tangible action to support flood-hit communities, including:

a) exploring the viability of providing rate relief to impacted businesses;

b) reviewing how the Trunk Road Agency responds to adverse weather conditions, and in particular assessing the management of the A55 in relation to flooding;

c) reviewing the evidence for providing additional freedoms to farmers and landowners to undertake any necessary clearance of ditches, drains and agricultural channels; and

d) assessing how the Rural Development Programme can better support flood prevention schemes for communities affected by flooding.

e) promoting schemes to alleviate flood risk through innovative land management including by planting trees and vegetation to slow run-off, restoring wetland areas, and creating safe flood reservoirs.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to strengthen the planning guidance regarding development on land susceptible to flooding.

7. Calls on the Welsh Government to make more use of the natural environment in its management of flood risk.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
40	0	13	53

The motion as amended was agreed.