Meetings

NDM6121 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of good local government in contributing towards the local economy, health service and educational outcomes.

2. Regrets that too many public services have been "poor and patchy" and characterised by a "poverty of ambition", as described by the Williams Commission.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) increase accountability of local government through electoral reform and lowering the voting age to 16;

(b) examine the way in which local government finance can be reformed to ensure a fairer and more sustainable system;

(c) introduce a nationally decided set of pay scales, terms and conditions to control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework; and

(d) establish regional combined authorities as part of the Welsh Government's local government reform for improved regional cooperation between existing local authorities.

'Williams Commission Report'

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) examine the way in which local government is financed, to ensure that rural authorities receive fair funding equivalent to all communities across Wales; and

(b) increase transparency in local authority senior staff budgeting to ensure that executive officer pay is sustainable and cost effective for council tax payers, and not to the detriment of the delivery of local services.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan):
 
Delete point 3 and replace with:

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) increase accountability of local government through electoral arrangements and lowering the voting age to 16;

(b) examine the way in which local government finance can be reformed to ensure a fairer and more sustainable system;

(c) continue to examine the case for a nationally decided set of pay scales, terms and conditions to control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework; and

(d) establish regional arrangements as part of the Welsh Government's local government reform for improved regional cooperation between existing local authorities.

The item started at 15.27

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6121 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of good local government in contributing towards the local economy, health service and educational outcomes.

2. Regrets that too many public services have been "poor and patchy" and characterised by a "poverty of ambition", as described by the Williams Commission.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) increase accountability of local government through electoral reform and lowering the voting age to 16;

(b) examine the way in which local government finance can be reformed to ensure a fairer and more sustainable system;

(c) introduce a nationally decided set of pay scales, terms and conditions to control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework; and

(d) establish regional combined authorities as part of the Welsh Government's local government reform for improved regional cooperation between existing local authorities.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
7	0	44	51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire):

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) examine the way in which local government is financed, to ensure that rural authorities receive fair funding equivalent to all communities across Wales; and

(b) increase transparency in local authority senior staff budgeting to ensure that executive officer pay is sustainable and cost effective for council tax payers, and not to the detriment of the delivery of local services.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
17	0	34	51

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan):

Delete point 3 and replace with:

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) increase accountability of local government through electoral arrangements and lowering the voting age to 16;

(b) examine the way in which local government finance can be reformed to ensure a fairer and more sustainable system;

(c) continue to examine the case for a nationally decided set of pay scales, terms and conditions to control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework; and

(d) establish regional arrangements as part of the Welsh Government's local government reform for improved regional cooperation between existing local authorities.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	11	13	51

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6121 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the importance of good local government in contributing towards the local economy, health service and educational outcomes.

2. Regrets that too many public services have been "poor and patchy" and characterised by a "poverty of ambition", as described by the Williams Commission.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) increase accountability of local government through electoral arrangements and lowering the voting age to 16;

(b) examine the way in which local government finance can be reformed to ensure a fairer and more sustainable system;

(c) continue to examine the case for a nationally decided set of pay scales, terms and conditions to control senior and chief officer pay through a national framework; and

(d) establish regional arrangements as part of the Welsh Government's local government reform for improved regional cooperation between existing local authorities.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
34	11	6	51

The motion as amended was agreed.