Meetings

NDM7018 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the important role played by local authorities in delivering public services across Wales.

2. Acknowledges the funding challenges currently faced by Welsh local authorities.

3. Notes that Welsh council taxpayers currently pay a higher proportion of their income on council tax than in England or Scotland.

4. Regrets that

a) the level of council tax in Wales has trebled since the formation of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999; and

b) the level of council tax in Wales has risen at a faster rate than in England and Scotland.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to commission an independent review of the Welsh local government funding formula.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all after point 2 and insert:

Notes that council tax levels for band D properties in Wales are on average lower than those in England.

Recognises that the funding formula for Welsh local authorities is reviewed annually through a partnership between Welsh local government and Welsh Government.

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

Amendment 2 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete point 4.

Amendment 3 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete point 5 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to consult on a long-term funding settlement for local government which would allow for longer term planning for local government.

Amendment 4 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that council taxes have risen due to austerity implemented by Westminster and lack of priority for local government by the Welsh Government when formulating the budget.

Amendment 5 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises the important link between NHS and local government in the delivery of services.

Amendment 6 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to reduce the number of hypothecated grants in order to allow for greater flexibility on spending of grants by local government.

 

 

The item started at 16.17

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7018 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the important role played by local authorities in delivering public services across Wales.

2. Acknowledges the funding challenges currently faced by Welsh local authorities.

3. Notes that Welsh council taxpayers currently pay a higher proportion of their income on council tax than in England or Scotland.

4. Regrets that

a) the level of council tax in Wales has trebled since the formation of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999; and

b) the level of council tax in Wales has risen at a faster rate than in England and Scotland.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to commission an independent review of the Welsh local government funding formula

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
8	0	35	43

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all after point 2 and insert:

Notes that council tax levels for band D properties in Wales are on average lower than those in England.

Recognises that the funding formula for Welsh local authorities is reviewed annually through a partnership between Welsh local government and Welsh Government.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	17	42

Amendment 1 was agreed.

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

Amendment 4 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that council taxes have risen due to austerity implemented by Westminster and lack of priority for local government by the Welsh Government when formulating the budget.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	32	43

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment 5 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises the important link between NHS and local government in the delivery of services.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
43	0	0	43

Amendment 5 was agreed.

Amendment 6 - Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to reduce the number of hypothecated grants in order to allow for greater flexibility on spending of grants by local government.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
35	8	0	43

Amendment 6 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7018 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the important role played by local authorities in delivering public services across Wales.

2. Acknowledges the funding challenges currently faced by Welsh local authorities.

3. Notes that council tax levels for band D properties in Wales are on average lower than those in England.

4. Recognises that the funding formula for Welsh local authorities is reviewed annually through a partnership between Welsh local government and Welsh Government.

5. Recognises the important link between NHS and local government in the delivery of services.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to reduce the number of hypothecated grants in order to allow for greater flexibility on spending of grants by local government.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	8	11	43

The motion as amended was agreed.