Decision details

The item started at 16:35

NDM4891 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the results of the 'Natural Resources Wales' consultation with regard to the proposal to develop a single body for natural resource management in Wales.

The results of the "Natural Resource Wales" consultation are available on the following link:

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/environmentandcountryside/singlebody/?lang=en&status=closed


The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to address the concerns of the forestry sector expressed in the consultation responses.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 2 - Peter Black (South Wales West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh government to ensure that the commercial expertise of the forestry sector is adequately reflected in the organisation of any new single environment body, as was recommended by the Environment and Sustainability Committee in its report into the business case for a single environment body, laid in the Table Office on 27 April 2012.

The amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The remainder of the voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Regrets that the business case for the merger was published before the aims of the single environment body were consulted upon.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
29	0	30	59

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Notes the current concerns that the Welsh forestry sector has with the creation of the single environment body.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
58	0	0	58

Amendment 4 was agreed.

Amendment 5 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on Welsh Government to re-examine the principle aims and strategic objectives of the single environment body to ensure absolute certainty and clarity in both areas.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	5	39	58

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

Amendment 6 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to ensure the presence of sufficient commercial expertise in the new organisation.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
58	0	0	58

Amendment 6 was agreed.

Amendment 7 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on Welsh Government to ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in the single environment body where there is a conflict of interest between Welsh Government's land ownership and consenting arrangements for energy projects on that land.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
58	0	0	58

Amendment 7 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM4891 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the results of the 'Natural Resources Wales' consultation with regard to the proposal to develop a single body for natural resource management in Wales.

Calls on the Welsh Government to address the concerns of the forestry sector expressed in the consultation responses.

Calls on the Welsh government to ensure that the commercial expertise of the forestry sector is adequately reflected in the organisation of any new single environment body, as was recommended by the Environment and Sustainability Committee in its report into the business case for a single environment body, laid in the Table Office on 27 April 2012.

Notes the current concerns that the Welsh forestry sector has with the creation of the single environment body.

Calls upon the Welsh Government to ensure the presence of sufficient commercial expertise in the new organisation.

Calls on Welsh Government to ensure that there are sufficient safeguards in the single environment body where there is a conflict of interest between Welsh Government's land ownership and consenting arrangements for energy projects on that land.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
58	0	0	58

The motion as amended was agreed.