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 15:57.

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM4972 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes:

 

a) the benefits a council tax freeze would bring to the Welsh economy;

 

b) the £38.9m consequential from the UK Government as a result of funding for a council tax freeze in England;

 

c) the cost of a council tax freeze for the financial year 2012-13 would be significantly lower than £38.9m;

 

d) the benefits that could be realised with the remaining monies to help SMEs in Wales

 

2. Calls for full transparency, accountability and efficiency in public expenditure in Wales.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	36	46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

In point 1a delete ‘a council tax freeze’ and replace with ‘increased spending on infrastructure’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
36	0	10	46

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

In point 1 delete all after the first ‘in’ and replace with ‘England and believes this should be used to stimulate the Welsh economy, including helping SMEs in Wales.’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
31	0	15	46

Amendment 2 was agreed.

 

Amendment 3 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

 

At the end of point 1b, add:

 

"and welcomes the economic stimulus package it was used to fund."

 

As amendment 2 was agreed, amendment 3 was deselected.

 

Amendment 4 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

 

Delete point 1c and 1d.

 

As amendment 2 was agreed, amendment 4 was deselected.

 

Amendment 5 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Insert at end of point 2: ‘including making better use of infrastructure spending’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
46	0	0	46

Amendment 5 was agreed.

 

Amendment 6 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Notes that 16 Conservative councils in England and one in Wales have failed to follow Conservative party policy and are increasing council tax this year.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
29	0	17	46

Amendment 6 was agreed.

 

Amendment 7 - Peter Black (South Wales West) - In accordance with Standing Order 12.23(iii), this amendment was not selected.

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the careful financial management of Welsh Liberal Democrat-led local authorities which has enabled them to keep council tax rises low over the last eight years.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM4972 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes:

 

a) the benefits increased spending on infrastructure would bring to the Welsh economy;

 

b) the £38.9m consequential from the UK Government as a result of funding for a council tax freeze in England and believes this should be used to stimulate the Welsh economy, including helping SMEs in Wales.

 

2. Calls for full transparency, accountability and efficiency in public expenditure in Wales including making better use of infrastructure spending.

 

3. Notes that 16 Conservative councils in England and one in Wales have failed to follow Conservative party policy and are increasing council tax this year.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
36	0	10	46

The motion as amended was agreed.