Agenda and decisions

 

View Questions

The item started at 13:30

The first 13 questions were asked. Question 1 was answered by the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services.

 

View Questions

The item started at 14:18

Both questions were asked.

 

View Questions

The question was transferred for written answer.  

 

NDM5104 Rosemary Butler (Newport West)

 

To propose that the National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:

 

1. Considers the Report of the Business Committee ‘Proposed amendments to Standing Order 6.23: Temporary Chair of Plenary Meetings’ laid in the Table Office on 21 November 2012; and

 

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Order 6, as set out in Annex B of the Report of the Business Committee.

 

Supporting documents:

Business Committee Report

The item started at 14:29

NDM5104 Rosemary Butler (Newport West)

 

To propose that the National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:

 

1. Considers the Report of the Business Committee ‘Proposed amendments to Standing Order 6.23: Temporary Chair of Plenary Meetings’ laid in the Table Office on 21 November 2012; and

 

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Order 6, as set out in Annex B of the Report of the Business Committee.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM5096

 

Ken Skates (Clwyd South)

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central)

David melding (South Wales Central)

Llyr Huws Gruffydd (North Wales)

 

Supported by:

 

Rebecca Evans (Mid and West Wales)

 

The National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Recognises and regrets that people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination;

 

2. Welcomes Time to Change Wales, the first national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems in Wales;

 

3. Notes the recent research carried out by Time to Change Wales, which showed that:

 

a) 1 in 4 people believe that people with mental health problems should not be allowed to hold public office; and

 

b) 1 in 10 people believe that people with mental health problems should not be allowed to have children;

 

4. Recognises that people with mental health issues play significant roles in society, work across a range of sectors and make important contributions to the economy; and

 

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to support the Time to Change Wales campaign and demonstrate a commitment to ending mental health stigma and discrimination.

The item started at 14:29

 

NDM5096

 

Ken Skates (Clwyd South)

 

Eluned Parrott (South Wales Central)

 

David Melding (South Wales Central)

 

Llyr Huws Gruffydd (North Wales)

 

Supported by:

 

Rebecca Evans (Mid and West Wales)

 

The National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Recognises and regrets that people with mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination;

 

2. Welcomes Time to Change Wales, the first national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems in Wales;

 

3. Notes the recent research carried out by Time to Change Wales, which showed that:

 

a) 1 in 4 people believe that people with mental health problems should not be allowed to hold public office; and

 

b) 1 in 10 people believe that people with mental health problems should not be allowed to have children;

 

4. Recognises that people with mental health issues play significant roles in society, work across a range of sectors and make important contributions to the economy; and

 

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to support the Time to Change Wales campaign and demonstrate a commitment to ending mental health stigma and discrimination.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM5105 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Regrets the long-standing failures of the Welsh Government in relation to grants management in Wales.

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) issue regular statements outlining actions taken to improve grants management in Wales; and

 

b) implement measures which enhances transparency associated with the spending of public money.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 1.

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Notes that the Wales Audit Office has said in its report ‘Grants Management in Wales’ that ‘many grant schemes are poorly managed, lessons are rarely learned and funders frequently fail to tackle recipients’ poor performance’ and calls on the Welsh Government to explain how it is addressing this.

 

A copy of the report ‘Grants Management in Wales’ can be found at:

http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Grants_Mangement_English.pdf

 

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Believes the Welsh Government’s grant management focuses too much on financial inputs and does not focus enough on outcomes.

The item started at: 15:20

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5105 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Regrets the long-standing failures of the Welsh Government in relation to grants management in Wales.

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) issue regular statements outlining actions taken to improve grants management in Wales; and

 

b) implement measures which enhances transparency associated with the spending of public money.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
19	0	30	49

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 1.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	24	49

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Notes that the Wales Audit Office has said in its report ‘Grants Management in Wales’ that ‘many grant schemes are poorly managed, lessons are rarely learned and funders frequently fail to tackle recipients’ poor performance’ and calls on the Welsh Government to explain how it is addressing this.

 

A copy of the report ‘Grants Management in Wales’ can be found at:

http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Grants_Mangement_English.pdf

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	25	49

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Believes the Welsh Government’s grant management focuses too much on financial inputs and does not focus enough on outcomes.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	25	49

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5105 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) issue regular statements outlining actions taken to improve grants management in Wales; and

 

b) implement measures which enhances transparency associated with the spending of public money.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
49	0	0	49

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

NDM5106 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that:

 

a) the number of disabled people using Direct Payments to organise their social care in Wales is low compared to other nations of the UK;

 

b) there is currently a lack of support and information available to service users over the range of options available to them; and

 

c) there is not enough choice and control of Direct Payments in social services in Wales.

 

2. Calls for the Welsh Government to:

 

a) use the Social Services and Wellbeing Bill to reflect the Scottish model of self-directed support, to ensure that social care users can control their care and support packages through direct payments and third-party managed accounts;

 

b) work to establish a voluntary national register of personal assistants to ensure they have the appropriate support and training to equip them with the skills to deal with a range of conditions; and

 

c) encourage personal assistants to provide a network of support for service users in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Insert as new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

 

“Recognises that Direct Payments are not appropriate for all disabled people.”

 

Amendment 2 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Insert as new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

 

“Recognises that more use of Direct Payments would not compensate disabled people for the loss of disability living allowance.”

 

Amendment 3 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Insert as new sub-point 2a) and renumber accordingly:

 

“maintain directly funded social care alongside Direct Payments;”

 

Amendment 4 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

In point 2a delete ‘to reflect the Scottish model of self-directed support,’

 

Amendment 5 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

In point 2b delete ‘establish a voluntary national register of personal assistants to ensure they’ and replace with ‘ensure personal assistants’

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add new sub-point at the end of point 2:

 

recognise that Direct Payments are not suitable for everyone and to maintain suitable provision for those who will continue to need social care provided on their behalf.

 

Amendment 7 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Add as new sub-point at end of point 2:

 

“ensure disabled people are provided with information and advice concerning their entitlements, and that advisory services are equipped to assist disabled people in navigating the unfair and flawed system of work capability assessments.”

The item started at: 16.20

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5106 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that:

 

a) the number of disabled people using Direct Payments to organise their social care in Wales is low compared to other nations of the UK;

 

b) there is currently a lack of support and information available to service users over the range of options available to them; and

 

c) there is not enough choice and control of Direct Payments in social services in Wales.

 

2. Calls for the Welsh Government to:

 

a) use the Social Services and Wellbeing Bill to reflect the Scottish model of self-directed support, to ensure that social care users can control their care and support packages through direct payments and third-party managed accounts;

 

b) work to establish a voluntary national register of personal assistants to ensure they have the appropriate support and training to equip them with the skills to deal with a range of conditions; and

 

c) encourage personal assistants to provide a network of support for service users in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	37	49

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Insert as new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

 

“Recognises that Direct Payments are not appropriate for all disabled people.”

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
41	0	0	41

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Insert as new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

 

“Recognises that more use of Direct Payments would not compensate disabled people for the loss of disability living allowance.”

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
32	5	12	49

Amendment 2 was agreed.

 

Amendment 3 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Insert as new sub-point 2a) and renumber accordingly:

 

“maintain directly funded social care alongside Direct Payments;”

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
49	0	0	49

Amendment 3 was agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

In point 2a delete ‘to reflect the Scottish model of self-directed support,’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	24	49

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

In point 2b delete ‘establish a voluntary national register of personal assistants to ensure they’ and replace with ‘ensure personal assistants’

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
32	0	17	49

Amendment 5 was agreed.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add new sub-point at the end of point 2:

 

recognise that Direct Payments are not suitable for everyone and to maintain suitable provision for those who will continue to need social care provided on their behalf.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
49	0	0	49

Amendment 6 was agreed.

 

Amendment 7 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

Add as new sub-point at end of point 2:

 

“ensure disabled people are provided with information and advice concerning their entitlements, and that advisory services are equipped to assist disabled people in navigating the unfair and flawed system of work capability assessments.”

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
49	0	0	49

Amendment 7 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5106 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that:

 

a) the number of disabled people using Direct Payments to organise their social care in Wales is low compared to other nations of the UK;

 

b) there is currently a lack of support and information available to service users over the range of options available to them; and

 

c) there is not enough choice and control of Direct Payments in social services in Wales.

 

2. Recognises that Direct Payments are not appropriate for all disabled people.

 

3. Recognises that more use of Direct Payments would not compensate disabled people for the loss of disability living allowance.

 

4. Calls for the Welsh Government to:

 

a) maintain directly funded social care alongside Direct Payments;

 

b) use the Social Services and Wellbeing Bill, to ensure that social care users can control their care and support packages through direct payments and third-party managed accounts;

 

c) work to ensure personal assistants have the appropriate support and training to equip them with the skills to deal with a range of conditions;

 

d) encourage personal assistants to provide a network of support for service users in the event of unforeseen circumstances;

 

e) recognise that Direct Payments are not suitable for everyone and to maintain suitable provision for those who will continue to need social care provided on their behalf; and

 

f) ensure disabled people are provided with information and advice concerning their entitlements, and that advisory services are equipped to assist disabled people in navigating the unfair and flawed system of work capability assessments.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
37	0	12	49

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 17:15

 

NDM5103 Vaughan Gething (Cardiff South and Penarth):

 

Rail Cymru – A People’s Railway for Wales.

 

The case for a new kind of railway company, whose main commitment would be to the people of Wales and the borders, not to a group of shareholders.

The item started at 17:22

 

NDM5103 Vaughan Gething (Cardiff South and Penarth):

 

Rail Cymru – A People’s Railway for Wales.

 

The case for a new kind of railway company, whose main commitment would be to the people of Wales and the borders, not to a group of shareholders.