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 15:00.

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM4937 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Believes that SMEs are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy;

 

2. Notes the role effective business rate relief can play in stimulating local economies and enhancing employment opportunities; and

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to abolish business rates for all businesses with a rateable value of under £12,000 per annum, and provide tapered relief for small businesses with a rateable value up to £15,000, in order to promote wealth creation and boost employment.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	44	56

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

Notes that matters relating to Business Rates policy in Wales are being considered by the Business Rates Review Task and Finish Group, which will be reporting shortly.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
29	4	23	53

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2 and 3 were deselected.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM4937 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Believes that SMEs are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy;

 

2. Notes the role effective business rate relief can play in stimulating local economies and enhancing employment opportunities; and

 

3. Notes that matters relating to Business Rates policy in Wales are being considered by the Business Rates Review Task and Finish Group, which will be reporting shortly.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
44	0	12	56

The motion as amended was agreed.