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 15.47.

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM4946 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the importance of local government acting in a manner which is both transparent and accountable to the people it represents;

 

2. Believes that the introduction of referenda on proposed annual council tax increases above 3.5% would enhance transparency, accountability and democracy in Wales; and

 

3. Welcomes steps taken by some local authorities in Wales to publish all expenditure over £500.00, and encourages all local authorities in Wales to make this information public.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
15	0	35	50

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 2 and replace with:

 

‘Recognises that the setting of council tax is a matter for individual local authorities and transparency and accountability for this is delivered via the ballot box every four years.’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
33	0	17	50

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

In point 2 delete all before ‘would enhance’ and replace with ‘Believes that the introduction of the Single Transferable Voting system at local government level’.

 

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was deselected.

 

Amendment 3 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

 

Insert at end of point 2 'but believes that, while ordinary families are facing tough times, the increased cost of running local referendums is not a priority.

 

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 3 was deselected.

 

Amendment 4 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

‘Welcomes steps towards increased transparency taken by councils in Wales but recognises the need to ensure that administrative burdens placed on local authorities as a result of increased transparency are proportionate.’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
33	0	17	50

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM4946 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the importance of local government acting in a manner which is both transparent and accountable to the people it represents;

 

2. Recognises that the setting of council tax is a matter for individual local authorities and transparency and accountability for this is delivered via the ballot box every four years.; and

 

3. Welcomes steps towards increased transparency taken by councils in Wales but recognises the need to ensure that administrative burdens placed on local authorities as a result of increased transparency are proportionate.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
37	0	13	50

The motion as amended was agreed.