Agenda and decisions

The Presiding Officer stated that in accordance with Standing Order 12.3, at the request of the First Minister, she had summoned the Assembly to consider the draft Council Tax Regulations as a matter of urgent public importance.

NDM5122 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

Approves that the draft The Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2012, is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 12 December 2012.

Supporting Documents:

The Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2012

Explanatory Memorandum
Research Service Plenary Briefing - Council Tax Reduction Schemes

Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s Report

The item started at 13.31

It was agreed under Standing Order 12.24 that the following two items would be debated together but with separate votes.

NDM5122 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

Approves that the draft The Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2012, is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 12 December 2012.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM5123 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

Approves that the draft The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2012 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 12 December 2012.

Supporting Documents:

The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2012

Explanatory Memorandum

NDM5123 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

Approves that the draft The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) (Wales) Regulations 2012 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 12 December 2012.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The item started at 14.23

The Leader of the Opposition, Andrew R T Davies, raised a Point of Order seeking guidance on whether Urgent Questions could be asked at today’s Plenary meeting.

The Presiding Officer referred to Standing Order 12.3 which allowed her to summon the Assembly for today’s meeting at the First Minister’s request. The request must be in relation to a specific issue of urgent public importance which was the consideration of the Council Tax Regulations.

The Presiding Officer ruled that a meeting convened in this way is exceptional and sits outside many of the usual procedures for setting business in Plenary and that the Assembly’s sole focus today was on the Regulations.

The Presiding Officer reminded Members that any Urgent Question requests submitted during recess will be considered as usual prior to the first Plenary meeting and that Members also had the opportunity during recess to table written questions to the Government.