Agenda and decisions

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Items
Expected timing No. Item

Antoinette Sandbach Personal Statement

 

Antoinette Sandbach made a personal statement apologising for comments she had made in public the previous day, which called into question the Presiding Officer’s impartiality.

 

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Finance

Supporting documents:

Decision:

The item started at 13.31

Questions 1 – 13 and 15 were asked. Question 14 was withdrawn.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Local Government and Government Business

Decision:

The item started at 14.15

Questions 1 – 3 and 5 - 13 were asked.  Question 4 was withdrawn.

(0 mins)

3.

Questions to the Assembly Commission

 

No questions tabled.

Decision:

No questions tabled.

Presiding Officer Statement

 

The Presiding Officer congratulated the staff who work for the National Assembly on being awarded Investors in People Gold status for the second time.

 

(5 mins)

4.

Motion to amend Standing Order 26.89 in relation to Member proposed Bills

 

NDM5275 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 26.89: Ballots for Member proposed Bills’ laid in the Table Office on 19 June 2013; and

 

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Order 26.89, as set out in Annex B of the Report of the Business Committee.

 

Supporting documents:

Business Committee report

Decision:

The item started at 15.01

NDM5275 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 26.89: Ballots for Member proposed Bills’ laid in the Table Office on 19 June 2013; and

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Order 26.89, as set out in Annex B of the Report of the Business Committee.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

5.

Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv)

 

NDM5262

 

Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Peter Black (South Wales West)

Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

Believes that the devolution settlement should be based on a reserved powers model.

 

Supported by:

 

Julie James (Swansea West)

Mick Antoniw (Pontypridd)

Keith Davies (Llanelli)

Bethan Jenkins (South Wales West)

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

Lindsay Whittle (South Wales East)

Llyr Huws Gruffydd (North Wales)

Alun Ffred Jones (Arfon)

Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

David Rees (Aberavon)

Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Supporting documents:

Research paper - Summary of consultation responses to part two of the Silk Commission on Devolution in Wales

Decision:

The item started at 15.02

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

NDM5262

Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Peter Black (South Wales West)

Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that the devolution settlement should be based on a reserved powers model.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

43

2

6

51

The motion was agreed.

(60 mins)

6.

Debate on the Standards Committee’s Report 03-13 to the Assembly on Lobbying and Cross-Party Groups

 

NDM5274 Mick Antoniw (Pontypridd)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Report 03-13 to the Assembly on Lobbying and Cross-Party Groups - laid before the Assembly on 2 May 2013 in accordance with Standing Order 17.56;

 

2. Endorses the National Assembly for Wales’ Guidance on Lobbying and Access to Assembly Members set out in Annex C of the Report; and 

 

3. Endorses the National Assembly for Wales’ Rules for the Operation of Cross-Party Groups set out in Annex D of the Report to come into effect on 23 September 2013.

 

Supporting documents:

Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee

Letter from the Chair of the Remuneration Board

Decision:

The item started at 15.54

NDM5274 Mick Antoniw (Pontypridd)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Report 03-13 to the Assembly on Lobbying and Cross-Party Groups - laid before the Assembly on 2 May 2013 in accordance with Standing Order 17.56;

2. Endorses the National Assembly for Wales’ Guidance on Lobbying and Access to Assembly Members set out in Annex C of the Report; and 

3. Endorses the National Assembly for Wales’ Rules for the Operation of Cross-Party Groups set out in Annex D of the Report to come into effect on 23 September 2013.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Point of Order

 

Andrew RT Davies raised a Point of Order regarding the First Minister having left the Chamber before the end of the previous debate, in which he had spoken on behalf of the government.

 

The Deputy Presiding Officer ruled that it was the expectation as a matter of courtesy that Members, including members of the government, remain in the Chamber until the conclusion of an item to which they have contributed.

 

(60 mins)

7.

Welsh Conservatives Debate

 

NDM5276 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Believes that small businesses throughout Wales need urgent support and calls on the Welsh Government to outline their proposals for a high street campaign before the summer recess;

 

2. Regrets that the high street shop vacancy rate in Wales is the highest in mainland Britain;

 

3. Acknowledges the increase in lending from Finance Wales, however, believes a more localised approach in accessing finance is necessary, and therefore calls on the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport to work with Finance Wales to assess if the financial package offered to businesses is competitive in the long term;

 

4. Notes the proposals outlined in the Welsh Conservative documents ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ and ‘Invest Wales’ and their support for small businesses throughout Wales; and

 

5. Further notes the importance of transport infrastructure to supporting the national and local economy.

 

‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ can be accessed on the following link:

 

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

 

‘Invest Wales’ can be accessed on the following link:

 

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

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert at the end of point 2:

 

“and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities to reduce business rates for tenants taking over the lease of a property that has been empty for at least 12 months, to encourage re-location and revitalise town centres”

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Recognises the potential for apprenticeships to improve the profit and productivity of small businesses and therefore calls on the Welsh Government to explore ways to improve access to apprenticeships for small businesses.

 

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Recognises the importance of local banking to the successful and sustainable economic growth of businesses in rural areas and calls on the Welsh Government to explore ways to expand the provision of community banking and credit unions in rural communities.

 

Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Insert as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:

 

Notes that Finance Wales is restricted in its ability to offer finance at competitive rates, and therefore calls on the Welsh Government to explore alternative methods of financing businesses.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Delete point 4.

 

Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Insert as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:

 

Notes the proposals outlined in Plaid Cymru’s ‘Plan C: A Plan to Move the Welsh Economy Forward’ to support SMEs and town centres.

 

Plan C can be accessed on the following link:

http://www.partyofwales.org/uploads/Final_Plan_C_Saesneg.pdf

 

Amendment 7 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to extend the small business rate relief scheme to cover more high street businesses.

Decision:

The item started at 16.33

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5276 William Graham (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that small businesses throughout Wales need urgent support and calls on the Welsh Government to outline their proposals for a high street campaign before the summer recess;

2. Regrets that the high street shop vacancy rate in Wales is the highest in mainland Britain;

3. Acknowledges the increase in lending from Finance Wales, however, believes a more localised approach in accessing finance is necessary, and therefore calls on the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport to work with Finance Wales to assess if the financial package offered to businesses is competitive in the long term;

4. Notes the proposals outlined in the Welsh Conservative documents ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ and ‘Invest Wales’ and their support for small businesses throughout Wales; and

5. Further notes the importance of transport infrastructure to supporting the national and local economy.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

41

52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert at the end of point 2:

“and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities to reduce business rates for tenants taking over the lease of a property that has been empty for at least 12 months, to encourage re-location and revitalise town centres”

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

44

8

0

52

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Recognises the potential for apprenticeships to improve the profit and productivity of small businesses and therefore calls on the Welsh Government to explore ways to improve access to apprenticeships for small businesses.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

52

0

0

52

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Recognises the importance of local banking to the successful and sustainable economic growth of businesses in rural areas and calls on the Welsh Government to explore ways to expand the provision of community banking and credit unions in rural communities.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

52

0

0

52

Amendment 3 was agreed.

Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Insert as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:

Notes that Finance Wales is restricted in its ability to offer finance at competitive rates, and therefore calls on the Welsh Government to explore alternative methods of financing businesses.

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

52

0

0

52

Amendment 4 was agreed.

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Delete point 4.

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

41

0

11

52

Amendment 5 was agreed.

Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Insert as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:

Notes the proposals outlined in Plaid Cymru’s ‘Plan C: A Plan to Move the Welsh Economy Forward’ to support SMEs and town centres.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

36

5

11

52

Amendment 6 was agreed.

Amendment 7 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to extend the small business rate relief scheme to cover more high street businesses.

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

24

0

28

52

Amendment 7 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5276 William Graham (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that small businesses throughout Wales need urgent support and calls on the Welsh Government to outline their proposals for a high street campaign before the summer recess;

2. Regrets that the high street shop vacancy rate in Wales is the highest in mainland Britain and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities to reduce business rates for tenants taking over the lease of a property that has been empty for at least 12 months, to encourage re-location and revitalise town centres

3. Recognises the importance of local banking to the successful and sustainable economic growth of businesses in rural areas and calls on the Welsh Government to explore ways to expand the provision of community banking and credit unions in rural communities.

4. Notes that Finance Wales is restricted in its ability to offer finance at competitive rates, and therefore calls on the Welsh Government to explore alternative methods of financing businesses.

5. Notes the proposals outlined in Plaid Cymru’s ‘Plan C: A Plan to Move the Welsh Economy Forward’ to support SMEs and town centres.

6. Recognises the potential for apprenticeships to improve the profit and productivity of small businesses and therefore calls on the Welsh Government to explore ways to improve access to apprenticeships for small businesses.

7. Acknowledges the increase in lending from Finance Wales, however, believes a more localised approach in accessing finance is necessary, and therefore calls on the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport to work with Finance Wales to assess if the financial package offered to businesses is competitive in the long term;

8. Further notes the importance of transport infrastructure to supporting the national and local economy.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

0

38

52

The motion as amended was not agreed.

Voting Time

 

The item started at 17.26

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

8.

Short Debate

 

NDM5273 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central): The Parent Trap: Unaffordable childcare prevents families from working

Decision:

The item started at 17.30

NDM5273 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central): The Parent Trap: Unaffordable childcare prevents families from working

Record of Proceedings

Supporting documents: