Agenda and decisions

 

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

All 15 questions were asked.

 

View Questions

The item started at 14.17

The first 13 questions were asked. Question 9 was answered by the Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and European Programmes.

 

NDM5090 Angela Burns (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 20.16:

 

Agrees the budget of the Assembly Commission for  2013-14, as specified in Table 1 of the “National Assembly for Wales Assembly Commission Budget 2013-14”, laid before the Assembly on 7 November 2012 and that it be incorporated in the Annual Budget Motion under Standing Order 20.26 (ii).

 

Supporting documents:

Assembly Commission Budget document

Finance Committee’s Report

The item started at 15.02

NDM5090 Angela Burns (Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Order 20.16:

 

Agrees the budget of the Assembly Commission for  2013-14, as specified in Table 1 of the “National Assembly for Wales Assembly Commission Budget 2013-14”, laid before the Assembly on 7 November 2012 and that it be incorporated in the Annual Budget Motion under Standing Order 20.26 (ii).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM5089 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

Notes the Public Accounts Committee's report on Progress in delivering the Welsh Housing Quality Standards which was laid in the Table Office on 11 September 2012.

 

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 7 November 2012.

 

Supporting documents:

Public Accounts Committee's report

Welsh Government’s response

The item started at 15.14

NDM5089 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

Notes the Public Accounts Committee's report on Progress in delivering the Welsh Housing Quality Standards which was laid in the Table Office on 11 September 2012.

 

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 7 November 2012.

 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM5092 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

The National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the important role of the Welsh high street as a centre for community engagement, boosting local economies and enhancing civic pride;

 

2. Notes the challenges facing the Welsh high street, including high vacancy rates, the rise of internet shopping and the development of out-of-town retail centres;

 

3. Notes the proposals set out in the policy paper ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’; and

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to explore the proposals outlined in ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ and to publish a response detailing how they will incorporate these proposals into their on-going regeneration review.

 

Link to ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ can be found at:
http://www.welshconservatives.com/sites/www.welshconservatives.com/files/a_vision_for_the_welsh_high_street.pdf

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point 2 and re-number accordingly:

 

Regrets that TAN 4: Retailing and Town Centres has not been updated since the advent of devolution.

 

TAN 4 can be found on the following link:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan4/?lang=en

 

[If amendment 2 is agreed, amendment 3 will be deselected]

 

Amendment 2 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 4and replace with:

 

Notes the Welsh Government's “'Vibrant & Viable Places'” consultation document offers a strong focus on town centre regeneration;andfurther notes the Welsh Government'scommitment to explore all optionson town centre regeneration with a view to publishing its proposals for supporting town centres following that consultation.'

 

The consultation can be accessed by the following link:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/businessandeconomy/vvp/?lang=en

 

Amendment 3 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

In point 4, delete ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ and replace with ‘the Business and Enterprise Committee’s report: Regeneration of town centres dated January 2012’

 

The Business and Enterprise Committee’s report: Regeneration of town centres can be found on the following link:

 

http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-business-fourth-assembly-laid-docs/cr-ld8771-e.pdf?langoption=3&ttl=CR-LD8771%20-%20Report%20by%20the%20Enterprise%20and%20Business%20Committee%20on%20the%20Regeneration%20of%20town%20centres

 

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at end of motion:

 

Calls for greater powers for communities to mitigate the impact of out-of-town retail centres on local shopping, regenerate local town centres and lower business rates for community facilities in town centres to encourage re-location.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh government to develop a programme to spread best practice in town centre regeneration across Wales.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at the end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities to offer reductions in business rates to tenants who are either new to the area or are expanding an existing business and who are taking over the lease of a property that has been empty for at least 12 months as a means of encouraging new and expanding businesses to Welsh High Streets to encourage re-generation.

The item started at 15.50

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5092 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

The National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the important role of the Welsh high street as a centre for community engagement, boosting local economies and enhancing civic pride;

 

2. Notes the challenges facing the Welsh high street, including high vacancy rates, the rise of internet shopping and the development of out-of-town retail centres;

 

3. Notes the proposals set out in the policy paper ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’; and

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to explore the proposals outlined in ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ and to publish a response detailing how they will incorporate these proposals into their on-going regeneration review.

 

Link to ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’ can be found at:
http://www.welshconservatives.com/sites/www.welshconservatives.com/files/a_vision_for_the_welsh_high_street.pdf

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	36	46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point 2 and re-number accordingly:

 

Regrets that TAN 4: Retailing and Town Centres has not been updated since the advent of devolution.

 

TAN 4 can be found on the following link:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan4/?lang=en

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
22	0	24	46

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 4 and replace with:

 

Notes the Welsh Government's “'Vibrant & Viable Places'” consultation document offers a strong focus on town centre regeneration; and further notes the Welsh Government's commitment to explore all options on town centre regeneration with a view to publishing its proposals for supporting town centres following that consultation.'

 

The consultation can be accessed by the following link:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/businessandeconomy/vvp/?lang=en

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	22	46

Amendment 2 was agreed.

 

As amendment 2 was agreed, amendment 3 was deselected.

 

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at end of motion:

 

Calls for greater powers for communities to mitigate the impact of out-of-town retail centres on local shopping, regenerate local town centres and lower business rates for community facilities in town centres to encourage re-location.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
46	0	0	46

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh government to develop a programme to spread best practice in town centre regeneration across Wales.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
46	0	0	46

Amendment 5 was agreed.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at the end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities to offer reductions in business rates to tenants who are either new to the area or are expanding an existing business and who are taking over the lease of a property that has been empty for at least 12 months as a means of encouraging new and expanding businesses to Welsh High Streets to encourage re-generation.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
5	0	41	46

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5092 William Graham (South Wales East)

 

The National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the important role of the Welsh high street as a centre for community engagement, boosting local economies and enhancing civic pride;

 

2. Notes the challenges facing the Welsh high street, including high vacancy rates, the rise of internet shopping and the development of out-of-town retail centres;

 

3. Notes the proposals set out in the policy paper ‘A Vision for the Welsh High Street’; and

 

4. Notes the Welsh Government's “'Vibrant & Viable Places'” consultation document offers a strong focus on town centre regeneration; and further notes the Welsh Government's commitment to explore all options on town centre regeneration with a view to publishing its proposals for supporting town centres following that consultation.'

 

The consultation can be accessed by the following link:

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/businessandeconomy/vvp/?lang=en

 

5. Calls for greater powers for communities to mitigate the impact of out-of-town retail centres on local shopping, regenerate local town centres and lower business rates for community facilities in town centres to encourage re-location.

 

6. Calls on the Welsh government to develop a programme to spread best practice in town centre regeneration across Wales.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
31	10	5	46

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

NDM5091 Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the recent rises in energy prices and regrets the impact that this will have on all households in Wales, especially the fuel poor;

 

2. Regrets that the UK Government has failed to regulate the energy market to protect those living in fuel poverty; and

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a plan for upgrading the energy efficiency ratings of the entire Welsh housing stock, prioritising the fuel poor.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be deselected]

 

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Delete point 2 and replace with:

 

Notes the UK Government’s Green Deal that will:

 

a) ensure energy companies will be required, under the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO), to focus their assistance on the poorest and most vulnerable households, as well as those in hard to treat properties which cannot achieve financial savings without a measure of support;

 

b) ensure many people will be able to pay back the upfront costs of home insulation work through the lower bills that be achieved by home improvements; and

 

c) ensure that energy companies communicate with customers to ensure that they are on the most appropriate tariff according to their needs;

 

Amendment 2 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Delete point 2 and replace with:

 

Welcomes UK Government plans to use the forthcoming Energy Bill to legislate on low tariffs for all customers.

 

Amendment 3 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

In point 3 delete ‘establish a plan for upgrading the energy efficiency ratings of the entire’ and replace with ‘build on its existing work in upgrading the energy efficiency ratings of’

 

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as a new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to work in conjunction with the UK Government’s Green Deal to improve the energy efficiency of Welsh homes.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add a new point at end of motion:

 

Notes that the significant increase in the wholesale price of gas is largely responsible for the recent rises in energy prices, and calls on the Welsh Government to continue to pursue renewable energy generation alternatives for the benefit of the Welsh public and the nation’s energy security.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at the end of motion:

 

Deeply regrets that between 2008 and 2011, the number of homes in fuel poverty in Wales rose from 28% to 33.5%.

 

Amendment 7 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Add new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the UK Government’s introduction of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) to help those most in need and for properties that are harder to treat and calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that its own energy efficiency schemes complement rather than unnecessarily duplicate the ECO.

 

Amendment 8 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Add new point at end of motion:

 

Urges the Welsh Government to maximise the benefits of the UK Government's Green Deal policy.

The item started at 16:52

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5091 Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the recent rises in energy prices and regrets the impact that this will have on all households in Wales, especially the fuel poor;

 

2. Regrets that the UK Government has failed to regulate the energy market to protect those living in fuel poverty; and

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a plan for upgrading the energy efficiency ratings of the entire Welsh housing stock, prioritising the fuel poor.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
7	0	39	46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Delete point 2 and replace with:

 

Notes the UK Government’s Green Deal that will:

 

a) ensure energy companies will be required, under the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO), to focus their assistance on the poorest and most vulnerable households, as well as those in hard to treat properties which cannot achieve financial savings without a measure of support;

 

b) ensure many people will be able to pay back the upfront costs of home insulation work through the lower bills that be achieved by home improvements; and

 

c) ensure that energy companies communicate with customers to ensure that they are on the most appropriate tariff according to their needs;

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
28	10	7	45

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was deselected.

 

Amendment 3 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

In point 3 delete ‘establish a plan for upgrading the energy efficiency ratings of the entire’ and replace with ‘build on its existing work in upgrading the energy efficiency ratings of’.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
31	0	15	46

Amendment 3 was agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as a new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to work in conjunction with the UK Government’s Green Deal to improve the energy efficiency of Welsh homes.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
46	0	0	46

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add a new point at end of motion:

 

Notes that the significant increase in the wholesale price of gas is largely responsible for the recent rises in energy prices, and calls on the Welsh Government to continue to pursue renewable energy generation alternatives for the benefit of the Welsh public and the nation’s energy security.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
36	10	0	46

Amendment 5 was agreed.

 

Amendment 6 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as a new point at the end of motion:

 

Deeply regrets that between 2008 and 2011, the number of homes in fuel poverty in Wales rose from 28% to 33.5%.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
21	0	24	45

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 7 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Add new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the UK Government’s introduction of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) to help those most in need and for properties that are harder to treat and calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that its own energy efficiency schemes complement rather than unnecessarily duplicate the ECO.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
39	0	7	46

Amendment 7 was agreed.

 

Amendment 8 - William Graham (South Wales East)

 

Add new point at end of motion:

 

Urges the Welsh Government to maximise the benefits of the UK Government's Green Deal policy.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 8:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
45	0	1	46

Amendment 8 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5091 Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the recent rises in energy prices and regrets the impact that this will have on all households in Wales, especially the fuel poor;

 

2. Notes the UK Government’s Green Deal that will:

 

a) ensure energy companies will be required, under the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO), to focus their assistance on the poorest and most vulnerable households, as well as those in hard to treat properties which cannot achieve financial savings without a measure of support;

 

b) ensure many people will be able to pay back the upfront costs of home insulation work through the lower bills that be achieved by home improvements; and

 

c) ensure that energy companies communicate with customers to ensure that they are on the most appropriate tariff according to their needs;

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work in conjunction with the UK Government’s Green Deal to improve the energy efficiency of Welsh homes.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to build on its existing work in upgrading the energy efficiency ratings of Welsh housing stock, prioritising the fuel poor.

 

5. Notes that the significant increase in the wholesale price of gas is largely responsible for the recent rises in energy prices, and calls on the Welsh Government to continue to pursue renewable energy generation alternatives for the benefit of the Welsh public and the nation’s energy security.

 

6. Welcomes the UK Government’s introduction of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) to help those most in need and for properties that are harder to treat and calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that its own energy efficiency schemes complement rather than unnecessarily duplicate the ECO.

 

7. Urges the Welsh Government to maximise the benefits of the UK Government's Green Deal policy.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
36	0	10	46

 

The motion as amended was agreed.

Voting Time started at 17.50

 

NDM5093 Mark Drakeford (Cardiff West):

 

Social Impact Bonds and Looked After Children in Wales

 

Exploring a new approach to providing services which can reduce the number of children received into the care of local authorities in Wales.

The item started at 17.58

NDM5093 Mark Drakeford (Cardiff West):

 

Social Impact Bonds and Looked After Children in Wales

 

Exploring a new approach to providing services which can reduce the number of children received into the care of local authorities in Wales.