Meetings

NDM6126 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Regrets that the previous Welsh Government failed to deliver on its ambition in the 2011 programme for government that all residential premises and all businesses in Wales would have access to next generation broadband by 2015.

2. Recognises that Wales has the highest average of people who do not use the internet in Britain and calls on the Welsh Government to do more to promote digital literacy and set a more ambitious target for broadband exploitation.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) work with Ofcom, the UK Government and network operators, to deliver universal access to high speed broadband and mobile coverage;

(b) reform the planning system to promote telecoms infrastructure investment and network deployment;

(c) reflect on the progress made by the Scottish Government through its mobile action plan and bring forward a plan to deliver next generation mobile coverage in areas of market failure; and

(d) provide a timescale for its commitment to procure a contract to extend superfast broadband access to every property in Wales.

'Welsh Government Programme for Government 2011-2016'

'Scottish Government Mobile Action Plan'

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
 
Delete all and replace with:

1. Welcomes the progress made in implementing the Superfast Cymru scheme which has brought high-speed broadband to over 610,000 premises across Wales and will provide access for an additional 100,000 further premises before project close in 2017.

2. Notes the progress of Access Broadband Cymru and its predecessor project which have provided broadband to over 6,500 premises across Wales using a range of innovative technologies.

3. Recognises the importance of high speed broadband and digital connectivity to businesses, communities and the economy in all parts of Wales and notes the Programme for Government commitment to offer fast reliable broadband to every property in Wales.

4. Notes the Welsh Government's intention to:

a) work with Ofcom, the UK Government and network operators, to deliver universal access to high speed broadband and mobile coverage;

b) reform Permitted Development Rights in the planning system to promote telecoms infrastructure investment and network deployment;

c) reflect on the progress made by the Scottish Government through its mobile action in developing proposals in Wales; and

d) publish further information about extending fast reliable broadband access to every property in Wales.

'Programme for Government'

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):

Add as new sub-point at end of point 3:
 
'explore establishing and funding a catch-all scheme to enable local authorities to fund a bespoke scheme to ensure no home or business in Wales goes without access to next generation broadband.'

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn):
 
Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that adequate broadband is essential for commerce, healthy living, reduced environmental impact, social interaction, education and human rights.

 

The item started at 15.59

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6126 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Regrets that the previous Welsh Government failed to deliver on its ambition in the 2011 programme for government that all residential premises and all businesses in Wales would have access to next generation broadband by 2015.

2. Recognises that Wales has the highest average of people who do not use the internet in Britain and calls on the Welsh Government to do more to promote digital literacy and set a more ambitious target for broadband exploitation.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

(a) work with Ofcom, the UK Government and network operators, to deliver universal access to high speed broadband and mobile coverage;

(b) reform the planning system to promote telecoms infrastructure investment and network deployment;

(c) reflect on the progress made by the Scottish Government through its mobile action plan and bring forward a plan to deliver next generation mobile coverage in areas of market failure; and

(d) provide a timescale for its commitment to procure a contract to extend superfast broadband access to every property in Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
15	0	31	46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Welcomes the progress made in implementing the Superfast Cymru scheme which has brought high-speed broadband to over 610,000 premises across Wales and will provide access for an additional 100,000 further premises before project close in 2017.

2. Notes the progress of Access Broadband Cymru and its predecessor project which have provided broadband to over 6,500 premises across Wales using a range of innovative technologies.

3. Recognises the importance of high speed broadband and digital connectivity to businesses, communities and the economy in all parts of Wales and notes the Programme for Government commitment to offer fast reliable broadband to every property in Wales.

4. Notes the Welsh Government's intention to:

a) work with Ofcom, the UK Government and network operators, to deliver universal access to high speed broadband and mobile coverage;

b) reform Permitted Development Rights in the planning system to promote telecoms infrastructure investment and network deployment;

c) reflect on the progress made by the Scottish Government through its mobile action in developing proposals in Wales; and

d) publish further information about extending fast reliable broadband access to every property in Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	4	18	49

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2 and 3 were de-selected.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6126 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Welcomes the progress made in implementing the Superfast Cymru scheme which has brought high-speed broadband to over 610,000 premises across Wales and will provide access for an additional 100,000 further premises before project close in 2017.

2. Notes the progress of Access Broadband Cymru and its predecessor project which have provided broadband to over 6,500 premises across Wales using a range of innovative technologies.

3. Recognises the importance of high speed broadband and digital connectivity to businesses, communities and the economy in all parts of Wales and notes the Programme for Government commitment to offer fast reliable broadband to every property in Wales.

4. Notes the Welsh Government's intention to:

a) work with Ofcom, the UK Government and network operators, to deliver universal access to high speed broadband and mobile coverage;

b) reform Permitted Development Rights in the planning system to promote telecoms infrastructure investment and network deployment;

c) reflect on the progress made by the Scottish Government through its mobile action in developing proposals in Wales; and

d) publish further information about extending fast reliable broadband access to every property in Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
29	9	12	50

The motion as amended was agreed.