Agenda and decisions

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Natural Resources and Food

Supporting documents:

Decision:

The item started at 13.30

The first 12 questions were asked. Questions 2 and 7 were withdrawn.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Decision:

The item started at 14.15

The first 14 questions were asked. Question 15 was not asked.

(60 mins)

3.

Welsh Conservatives Debate

 

NDM5264 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that the Cancer Delivery Plan has been operational for one year.

 

2. Regrets that target referral to treatment waiting times for cancer patients diagnosed via the Urgent Suspected Cancer route have not been met since 2008.

 

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to require that Local Health Boards publish their cancer delivery plans and annual reports on their websites to ensure public scrutiny of their plans.

 

4. Calls upon the Welsh Government and Local Health Boards to ensure that cancer services are timely, person-centered and that people’s clinical and wider non-clinical needs, including access to financial advice and support, are met.

 

5. Urges the Welsh Government to provide annual updates to the National Assembly for Wales on the progress of the implementation of the Cancer Delivery Plan.

 

The Welsh Government’s Cancer Delivery Plan can be found on the following link:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/health/strategies/cancer/?lang=en

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert at the end of point 2:

 

‘and that cancer survival rates in Wales are well below the European average.’

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Regrets the restrictive tender process for the supply of new cancer technologies to Velindre Cancer Centre, which will prevent investment in the most modern and innovative treatments that would have attracted expertise and clinical excellence and enabled more Welsh cancer patients to be treated in Wales.

 

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls upon the Welsh Government to commit to publishing the results of the Cancer Patient Experience survey.

Decision:

The item started at 14.58

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

Amendment 2 was withdrawn in accordance with Standing Order 12.27 at the start of Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5264 William Graham (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the Cancer Delivery Plan has been operational for one year.

2. Regrets that target referral to treatment waiting times for cancer patients diagnosed via the Urgent Suspected Cancer route have not been met since 2008.

3. Calls upon the Welsh Government to require that Local Health Boards publish their cancer delivery plans and annual reports on their websites to ensure public scrutiny of their plans.

4. Calls upon the Welsh Government and Local Health Boards to ensure that cancer services are timely, person-centred and that people’s clinical and wider non-clinical needs, including access to financial advice and support, are met.

5. Urges the Welsh Government to provide annual updates to the National Assembly for Wales on the progress of the implementation of the Cancer Delivery Plan.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

49

0

5

54

The motion without amendment was agreed.

(60 mins)

4.

Plaid Cymru Debate

 

NDM5263 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Reiterates its support for integrated public transport.

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to continue to deliver the commitments in the National Transport Plan, and to support the implementation of regional transport plans across the nation.

 

3. Supports the development of integrated transport systems across Wales, including a ‘Metro system’ for south-east Wales.

 

4. Welcomes Welsh Government action on Cardiff Airport, and calls for an aviation strategy for Wales to be developed and published.

 

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to support the creation of a national transport authority for Wales.

 

The Welsh Government’s National Transport Plan can be found on the following link:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/transport/publications/ntp/?lang=en

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

In point 2, delete all after ‘Welsh Government to’ and replace with ‘deliver the commitments in the National Transport Plan, support the implementation of regional transport plans across the nation, and ensure that there is effective linkage with other areas of economic development, including Enterprise Zones and City Regions’.

 

Amendment 2 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

 

Insert at end of point 2:

 

‘, whilst recognising the pressure on the budget available’

 

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Recognises the importance of community transport schemes, particularly to the elderly and disabled and those living in rural areas, and calls on the Welsh Government to implement three year budgeting for community transport schemes to provide security of funding for community transport operators.

 

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

In point 3 delete ‘, including a ‘Metro system’ for south-east Wales’ and replace with ‘and welcomes the commitment by the UK Government to the £1billion electrification of the Great Western main line and the £350million electrification of the Valley Lines, which will pave the way for a ‘Metro system’ for south-east Wales’

 

[If amendment 4 is agreed, amendment 5 will be de-selected]

 

Amendment 5 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

In point 3, after ‘including’ insert ‘exploring the potential for’.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:

 

Supports the electrification of the North Wales mainline and calls on the Welsh Government to clarify whether Manchester is part of the strategic case and is being included in the Task Force’s deliberations on the business case for electrification.

 

Amendment 7 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Delete point 4 and replace with:

 

Recognises the proposals outlined in the Welsh Conservative document ‘A Blueprint for Cardiff Airport’ and calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward a comprehensive aviation strategy for Wales.

 

A Blueprint for Cardiff Airport is available on the following link:

 

http://www.welshconservatives.com/sites/www.welshconservatives.com/files/cardiff_airport_blueprint_english_0.pdf

 

[If amendment 7 is agreed, amendment 8 will be de-selected]

 

Amendment 8 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

In point 4 delete ‘Welcomes’ and replace with ‘Notes’.

 

Amendment 9 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:

 

Regrets the decision to end the X91 bus route serving Cardiff Airport on a Sunday and calls on the Welsh Government to introduce a direct high quality route between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Airport.

 

Amendment 10 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

 

Delete point 5.

 

[If amendment 10 is agreed, amendments 11 and 12 will be de-selected]

 

Amendment 11 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

In point 5 delete ‘support the creation’ and replace with ‘examine the viability’.

 

[If amendment 11 is agreed, amendment 12 will be de-selected]

 

Amendment 12 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

In point 5 delete ‘to support the creation of’ and replace with ‘to consult on the merits of’.

Decision:

The item started at 15.56

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5263 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Reiterates its support for integrated public transport.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to continue to deliver the commitments in the National Transport Plan, and to support the implementation of regional transport plans across the nation.

3. Supports the development of integrated transport systems across Wales, including a ‘Metro system’ for south-east Wales.

4. Welcomes Welsh Government action on Cardiff Airport, and calls for an aviation strategy for Wales to be developed and published.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to support the creation of a national transport authority for Wales.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

9

0

45

54

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)

In point 2, delete all after ‘Welsh Government to’ and replace with ‘deliver the commitments in the National Transport Plan, support the implementation of regional transport plans across the nation, and ensure that there is effective linkage with other areas of economic development, including Enterprise Zones and City Regions’.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

45

0

9

54

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Insert at end of point 2:

‘, whilst recognising the pressure on the budget available’

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

49

0

5

54

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Recognises the importance of community transport schemes, particularly to the elderly and disabled and those living in rural areas, and calls on the Welsh Government to implement three year budgeting for community transport schemes to provide security of funding for community transport operators.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

28

54

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

In point 3 delete ‘, including a ‘Metro system’ for south-east Wales’ and replace with ‘and welcomes the commitment by the UK Government to the £1billion electrification of the Great Western main line and the £350million electrification of the Valley Lines, which will pave the way for a ‘Metro system’ for south-east Wales’

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

37

54

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment 5 - William Graham (South Wales East)

In point 3, after ‘including’ insert ‘exploring the potential for’.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

12

0

42

54

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:

Supports the electrification of the North Wales mainline and calls on the Welsh Government to clarify whether Manchester is part of the strategic case and is being included in the Task Force’s deliberations on the business case for electrification.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

37

54

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

Amendment 7 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Recognises the proposals outlined in the Welsh Conservative document ‘A Blueprint for Cardiff Airport’ and calls on the Welsh Government to bring forward a comprehensive aviation strategy for Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

12

0

42

54

Amendment 7 was not agreed.

Amendment 8 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

In point 4 delete ‘Welcomes’ and replace with ‘Notes’.

A vote was taken on Amendment 8:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

17

0

37

54

Amendment 8 was not agreed.

Amendment 9 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the decision to end the X91 bus route serving Cardiff Airport on a Sunday and calls on the Welsh Government to introduce a direct high quality route between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Airport.

A vote was taken on Amendment 9:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

45

0

9

54

Amendment 9 was agreed.

Amendment 10 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 5.

A vote was taken on Amendment 10:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

33

0

21

54

Amendment 10 was agreed.

As amendment 10 was agreed, amendments 11 and 12 were de-selected.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5263 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Reiterates its support for integrated public transport.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to deliver the commitments in the National Transport Plan, support the implementation of regional transport plans across the nation, and ensure that there is effective linkage with other areas of economic development, including Enterprise Zones and City Regions, whilst recognising the pressure on the budget available.

3. Supports the development of integrated transport systems across Wales, including a ‘Metro system’ for south-east Wales.

4. Welcomes Welsh Government action on Cardiff Airport, and calls for an aviation strategy for Wales to be developed and published.

5. Regrets the decision to end the X91 bus route serving Cardiff Airport on a Sunday and calls on the Welsh Government to introduce a direct high quality route between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Airport.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

48

5

0

53

The motion as amended was agreed.

(60 mins)

5.

Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate

 

NDM5265 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer to employers through the provision of a committed, efficient, skilled and motivated workforce and notes that the average person completing an apprenticeship increases business productivity by £214 per week.

 

2. Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer for young people to develop their skills, gain recognised qualifications, earn a higher salary and secure more stable job opportunities, as many employers rely on apprenticeships to provide the skilled workers they need for the future.

 

3. Regrets that between 2006/7 and 2010/11 the number of people on apprenticeship placements in Wales fell by more than 25%.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to widen access to apprenticeships by:

 

a) developing a school liaison programme to increase the prominence of apprenticeships in the provision of career advice to young people;

 

b) establishing an Apprenticeship Ambassadors scheme to promote positive role models;

 

c) improving the visibility of competitions to celebrate excellence in skills;

 

d) trialling a UCAS-style single application process and clearing house system to improve the parity of approach between career routes; and

 

e) creating a single information, application and support system to streamline information provision and reduce drop-out and disengagement rates.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

 

Welcomes the agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to invest an extra £40 million of additional funding towards apprenticeships over the next two years, creating approximately 5,650 additional apprenticeship opportunities and 2,650 opportunities for higher level apprenticeships and including expansion of Welsh language apprenticeship provision.

 

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

 

Amendment 2 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Add as new sub-point at end of point 4:

 

seeking new ways of broadening the base of traditional apprenticeships into professional roles and other industries.

 

Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Recognises that young apprentices may need support at the end of their training to stay in employment, as well as navigating employment contracts and regulations.

Decision:

The item started at 16.54

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5265 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer to employers through the provision of a committed, efficient, skilled and motivated workforce and notes that the average person completing an apprenticeship increases business productivity by £214 per week.

2. Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer for young people to develop their skills, gain recognised qualifications, earn a higher salary and secure more stable job opportunities, as many employers rely on apprenticeships to provide the skilled workers they need for the future.

3. Regrets that between 2006/7 and 2010/11 the number of people on apprenticeship placements in Wales fell by more than 25%.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to widen access to apprenticeships by:

a) developing a school liaison programme to increase the prominence of apprenticeships in the provision of career advice to young people;

b) establishing an Apprenticeship Ambassadors scheme to promote positive role models;

c) improving the visibility of competitions to celebrate excellence in skills;

d) trialling a UCAS-style single application process and clearing house system to improve the parity of approach between career routes; and

e) creating a single information, application and support system to streamline information provision and reduce drop-out and disengagement rates.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

5

0

49

54

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

Welcomes the agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to invest an extra £40 million of additional funding towards apprenticeships over the next two years, creating approximately 5,650 additional apprenticeship opportunities and 2,650 opportunities for higher level apprenticeships and including expansion of Welsh language apprenticeship provision.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

38

0

16

54

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was de-selected.

Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that young apprentices may need support at the end of their training to stay in employment, as well as navigating employment contracts and regulations.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

54

0

0

54

Amendment 3 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5265 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer to employers through the provision of a committed, efficient, skilled and motivated workforce and notes that the average person completing an apprenticeship increases business productivity by £214 per week.

2. Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer for young people to develop their skills, gain recognised qualifications, earn a higher salary and secure more stable job opportunities, as many employers rely on apprenticeships to provide the skilled workers they need for the future.

3. Welcomes the agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to invest an extra £40 million of additional funding towards apprenticeships over the next two years, creating approximately 5,650 additional apprenticeship opportunities and 2,650 opportunities for higher level apprenticeships and including expansion of Welsh language apprenticeship provision.

4. Recognises that young apprentices may need support at the end of their training to stay in employment, as well as navigating employment contracts and regulations.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

5

12

54

The motion as amended was agreed.

Voting Time

 

The item started at 17.55

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

6.

Short Debate

 

NDM5266 Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): An NHS fit for all – towards an alternative to centralisation.

Decision:

The item started at 18.00

NDM5266 Leanne Wood (South Wales Central): An NHS fit for all – towards an alternative to centralisation.

Record of Proceedings

Supporting documents: