Meetings

NDM6607 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill

The item started at 15.29

In accordance with Standing Order 26.50C a recorded vote must be taken on Stage 4 motions therefore voting on this motion was deferred to voting time.

NDM6607 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

The amendments will be disposed of in the order that the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 as agreed by the Assembly on 21 November 2017.

The amendments have been grouped for the purposes of debate and the groupings will be debated as follows:

1. Removal of existing suspension of the right to buy

5, 14, 9, 11, 1, 3

2. Abolition period

6, 13, 2

3. Information for tenants and prospective tenants: requirements on Welsh Ministers

7, 8

4. Information for tenants and prospective tenants: requirements on landlords

15, 16

5. Power by regulations to make consequential amendments

10

6. Coming into force of the abolition provisions

12, 4

Supporting Documents
Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill
Explanatory Memorandum
Marshalled List of Amendments
Groupings of Amendments

The item started at 16.48

The amendments were disposed of in the order that the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 as agreed by the Assembly on 21 November 2017.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

Amendments 13 and 14 were not moved.

A vote was taken on amendment 7:

Amendment 7 was not agreed.

As amendment 7 was not agreed, amendment 8 fell.

As amendment 5 was not agreed, amendment 9 fell.

Amendment 15 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 16 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

A vote was taken on amendment 10:

Amendment 10 was not agreed.

As amendment 5 was not agreed, amendment 11 fell.

A vote was taken on amendment 12:

Amendment 12 was not agreed.

As amendment 5 was not agreed, amendment 1 fell.

As amendment 6 was not agreed, amendment 2 fell.

As amendment 5 was not agreed, amendment 3 fell.

As amendment 12 was not agreed, amendment 4 fell.

All sections and schedules of the Bill were deemed agreed, concluding Stage 3 proceedings.

NDM6552 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 26.36:

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) sections 2 - 6
b) Schedule 1
c) sections 7 - 12
d) section 1
e) Long title

Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill

The item started at 16.08

NDM6552 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 26.36:

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) sections 2 - 6

b) Schedule 1

c) sections 7 - 12

d) section 1

e) Long title

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

Emma Williams, Deputy Director, Housing Policy Division, Welsh Government

Katie Wilson, Lawyer, Legal Services, Welsh Government

Documents relevant to Stage 2 proceedings are available on the Bill page.

The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee agreed on 21 September 2017, under Standing Order 26.21, that the order of consideration for Stage 2 proceedings will be:

·         Sections 2 to 6

·         Schedule 1 (introduced by section 6)

·         Sections 7 to 12

·         Section 1 (Overview of the Bill)

·         Long title

2.1 In accordance with Standing Order 26.21, the Committee disposed of the following amendments to the Bill:

Amendment 21 (David Melding)

Amendment 22 (David Melding)

Amendment 2 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 3 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 4 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 31 (David Melding) was not moved.

Amendment 32 (David Melding) was not moved.

Amendment 23 (David Melding) was withdrawn in accordance with Standing Order 26.66(i).

Amendment 24 (David Melding)

Amendment 5A (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 5 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 25 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 26 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 33 (Bethan Jenkins)

Amendment 6 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 7 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 8 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 34 (Bethan Jenkins) was not moved.

Amendment 9 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 27 (David Melding)

Amendment 10 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 11 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 12 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 13 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 14 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 28 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 29 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 30 (David Melding)

Amendment 15 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 16 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 17 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 18 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 1 (Carl Sargeant) was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 17.34(i).

Amendment 19 (David Melding) fell.

Amendment 20 (David Melding) fell.

3.10.a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children to the Chair of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

3.11.a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children to the Chair of the Finance Committee in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

8.1 Ahead of the Stage 1 debate on 5 October and the agreement of the general principles of the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill, the Committee agreed, in principle, to the following Order of Consideration for the purposes of Stage 2 proceedings in committee:

-     Sections 2 to 6

-     Schedule 1 (introduced by section 6)

-     Sections 7 to 12

-     Section 1 (Overview of the Bill)

-     Long title

5.1.a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

NDM6367 Carl Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

The Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Assembly on 13 March 2017.

The report by the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill was laid before the Assembly on 7 July 2017.

Supporting Documents
Report of the Finance Committee
Report of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee

The item started at 17.57

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until voting time.

NDM6367 Carl Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

A vote was taken on the motion:

The motion was agreed.

NDM6368 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69 arising in consequence of the Bill.

The item started at 19.01

Voting on the motion under this item was deferred until voting time.

NDM6368 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69 arising in consequence of the Bill.

A vote was taken on the motion:

The motion as was agreed.

7.1.a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

CLA(5)-17-17 – Paper 6 – Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children: Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill

The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary.

CLA(5)-17-17 – Paper 8 – Draft Report

The Committee considered and agreed the draft report.

6.1 The Committee considered and agreed the draft report subject to minor changes.

3.2.a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill - 13 June 2017.

3.1.a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill - 9 June 2017.

7.1. The Committee considered its draft report on the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

CLA(5)-15-17 – Paper 13 - Draft Report

The Committee considered the draft report.

CLA(5)-15-17 – Paper 6 – Letter from the Chair to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Culture

CLA(5)-15-17 – Paper 7 – Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Culture

The Committee noted the correspondence.

Paper 3 – Draft report

7. The Committee agreed the draft report.

5.4.a The Committee noted the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

5.5.a The Committee noted the letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

5.3.a The Committee noted the notes of group discussions with tenants in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

John G Rees, Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Katie Wilson, Lawyer, Welsh Government

Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

2.1.    The Committee received evidence from:

·       Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

·       John G Rees, Bill Manager, Welsh Government

·       Katie Wilson, Lawyer, Welsh Government

2.2 The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children agreed to provide:

·       the number of properties likely to be affected by the proposed restrictions on newly-let dwellings, and

·       details of the consultation undertaken process undertaken for abolition that was carried out ahead of the Bill’s introduction.

3.3.a The Committee noted the letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

3.2.a The Committee noted the letter from Wrexham County Borough Council in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

5.1 The Committee considered the key issues for the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill to inform its draft report and agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children on matters raised during the session.

·         Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

·         Shaun Couzens, Chief Housing Officer, Caerphilly County Borough Council

·         Simon Inkson, Head of Housing, Powys County Council

·         Robin Staines, Head of Housing, Public Protection and Care & Support, Carmarthenshire County Council

3.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·       Jim McKirdle, Housing Policy Officer, Welsh Local Government Association

·       Shaun Couzens, Chief Housing Officer, Caerphilly County Borough Council

·       Simon Inkson, Head of Housing, Powys County Council

·       Robin Staines, Head of Housing, Public Protection and Care & Support, Carmarthenshire County Council

3.2. Robin Staines, Carmarthenshire County Council, agreed to provide further details on the steps taken by the Council to consult with tenants and prospective tenants ahead of the suspension of Right to Buy, including the number of prospective tenants consulted and the number of responses received, and the issues raised by respondents.

·         Steve Clarke, Policy Advisor to Welsh Tenants

·         David Lloyd, Deputy Director, TPAS

4.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·       Steve Clarke, Policy Advisor to Welsh Tenants

·       David Lloyd, Deputy Director, TPAS

·         Matthew Dicks, Director, Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru

·         Matthew Kennedy, Policy & Public Affairs Manager (Wales), Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·       Matthew Dicks, Director, Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru

·       Matthew Kennedy, Policy & Public Affairs Manager (Wales), Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru

5.2.a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

7.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under items 2, 3 and 4 and agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children on matters raised.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Carl Sargeant AM – Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

John G Rees – Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Andrew Hobden – Economist, Welsh Government

Steve Palmer – Head of Housing Strategy, Welsh Government

Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

3.1 The Committee took evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children; John G Rees, Bill Manager, Welsh Government; Andrew Hobden, Economist, Welsh Government; and

Steve Palmer, Head of Housing Strategy, Welsh Government on the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Right (Wales) Bill.

4.4.a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

6.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received under items 2 and 3.

·         Jennie Bibbings, Campaigns Manager, Shelter Cymru

3.1       The Committee received evidence from Jennie Bibbings, Campaigns Manager, Shelter Cymru.

3.2     During the session Shelter Cymru agreed to provide the number of cases dealt with of privately renting homes that were formerly purchased under the right to buy.

·         Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru

·         Joe Logan, Chief Executive, Tai Calon

·         Ffrancon Williams, Chief Executive, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd

·         Debbie Green, Chief Executive, Coastal Housing

2.1 The Committee received evidence from:

·         Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive, Community Housing Cymru

·         Joe Logan, Chief Executive, Tai Calon

·         Ffrancon Williams, Chief Executive, Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd

·         Debbie Green, Chief Executive, Coastal Housing

Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children (Member in charge of the Bill)

John Rees – Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Katie Wilson – Lawyer, Welsh Government

CLA(5)-11-17 – Paper 1 - Policy intent for subordinate legislation to be made under the Bill

CLA(5)-11-17 - Research Service and Legal Services briefing

Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF, 106KB)

Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 1.12MB)

2.1 The Committee took evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children, Carl Sargeant AM.

6.1. The Committee discussed the evidence received under item 3 and agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary on matters raised during the session.

4.1.a The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in relation to the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

John G Rees, Bill Manager

Katie Wilson, Lawyer

Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

2.1. The Committee received evidence from:

·         Carl Sargeant AM, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

·         John G Rees, Bill Manager

·         Katie Wilson, Lawyer

2.2. During the session the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children agreed:

·         To provide the figures on any increase in social housing stock in local authority areas where the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire have been temporarily suspended under the Housing (Wales) Measure 2011;

·         To provide a note on the procedure and eligibility criteria for applications for temporary suspensions under the Housing (Wales) Measure 2011;

·         To provide a draft of the document containing information for tenants and prospective tenants required under section 8 of the Bill;

·         To clarify the purpose and intended effect of section 2 and 4 of the Bill.

Paper 2 - Financial Scrutiny of the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill

4.1 The Committee considered the financial implications of the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill and agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children in for further scrutiny.

·         John Howells, Director of Housing and Regeneration and SRO for the Bill, Welsh Government

·         Neil Buffin, Legal Services, Welsh Government

·         John Rees, Housing Policy Division and Bill Manager, Welsh Government

2.1. The Committee received a technical briefing from Welsh Government officials on the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

3.1. The Committee discussed and agreed its approach to scrutiny for the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

Business Managers confirmed their in principle decision of 14 February to refer the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee for Stage 1 consideration, and agreed the deadline for the Stage 1 Committee to report by as 7 July 2017 and the deadline for the completion of Stage 2 Committee proceedings as 13 October 2017.

7.1 The Committee agreed the timetable for the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights (Wales) Bill.

Business Managers agreed in principle to refer the Abolition of the Right to Buy (Wales) Bill to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee (ELGC) for Stage 1 consideration.

Business Managers agreed to defer a decision on the Bill’s timetable until a future meeting to allow for consultation with the ELGC Committee.