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 16.15

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5030 William Graham (South Wales East):

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Believes that:

 

a) rural communities face significant challenges including ageing populations, limited access to services as well as social and economic isolation;

 

b) the viability of rural communities and businesses is being undermined by poor transport and communication infrastructure; and

 

c) the Welsh farming industry faces considerable challenges including food security, climate change and animal health.

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) give greater recognition to rural deprivation, including transport poverty and limited access to services and affordable housing;

 

b) ensure that there are no further delays in rolling out the Next Generation Broadband Project;

 

c) recognise the benefits of stimulating the rural economy through business rate relief and improved support for rural SMEs; and

 

d) work in partnership with farming unions and rural stakeholders to deliver effective Rural Development Programme funding.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
19	0	33	52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete sub-point 1b and replace with:

 

‘transport and communication infrastructure play a key role in sustaining the viability of rural communities and businesses; and’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
29	0	23	52

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new sub point at end of point 1:

 

‘the £56.9 million funding from the UK government to roll out next generation broadband will be a welcome boost to rural area.’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
52	0	0	52

Amendment 2 was agreed.

 

Amendment 3 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

In sub-point 2a, delete ‘give greater’ and replace with ‘continue to give’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
28	0	24	52

Amendment 3 was agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete sub-point 2b and replace with:

 

‘ensure the Next Generation Broadband Project remains firmly on track to deliver the Programme for Government commitments on time;’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
29	0	23	52

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new sub point at end of point 2:

 

‘review the Revenue Support Grant to take a greater account of rurality.’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	28	52

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5030 William Graham (South Wales East):

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Believes that:

 

a) rural communities face significant challenges including ageing populations, limited access to services as well as social and economic isolation;

 

b) transport and communication infrastructure play a key role in sustaining the viability of rural communities and businesses;

 

c) the Welsh farming industry faces considerable challenges including food security, climate change and animal health; and

 

d) the £56.9 million funding from the UK government to roll out next generation broadband will be a welcome boost to rural area.

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) continue to give recognition to rural deprivation, including transport poverty and limited access to services and affordable housing;

 

b) ensure the Next Generation Broadband Project remains firmly on track to deliver the Programme for Government commitments on time;

 

c) recognise the benefits of stimulating the rural economy through business rate relief and improved support for rural SMEs; and

 

d) work in partnership with farming unions and rural stakeholders to deliver effective Rural Development Programme funding.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
52	0	0	52

The motion as amended was agreed.