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 Finance and Government Business

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Minister after Question 2.

 

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Decision:

The item started at 13.30

 

The first 11 questions were asked. Questions 1 and 4 and questions 3 and 11 were grouped together for answer.

 

The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after Question 2.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Public Services

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Minister after Question 2.

 

View Questions

Decision:

The item started at 14.17

 

Questions 1 – 4 and 6 – 14 were asked. Question 5 was withdrawn.

 

The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after Question 2.

(60 mins)

3.

Welsh Conservatives Debate

NDM5684 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that there has been no significant improvement in the number of passengers travelling through Cardiff Airport since the Welsh Government took ownership of the airport.

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) provide an update on progress made to develop new routes from the airport and increase freight operations;

 

b) publish a current market valuation of Cardiff Airport; and

 

c) publish a clear and comprehensive strategy for the benefit of passengers, businesses and taxpayers which includes proposals for long-haul routes and explores all options for the future of Cardiff Airport, including returning the airport to private ownership.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 1 and replace with:

 

Notes that future improvement in the number of passengers travelling through Cardiff Airport will depend upon government support and sound commercial management

 

Amendment 2 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Regrets that the Welsh Government took ownership of Cardiff Airport without first having produced a full business case for doing so.

 

Amendment 3 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government and UK Government to work together to devolve long-haul air passenger duty to the National Assembly for Wales.

 

Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 2 and replace with:

 

Calls on the Welsh government to:

 

a) publish a clear and comprehensive growth strategy including proposals for long-haul routes;

 

b) explore all options for the future of Cardiff Airport, including both public and private investment models; and

 

c) secure the devolution of air passenger duty in order to generate additional routes, increase passenger numbers and boost to the Welsh economy.

Decision:

The item started at 15.01

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5684 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that there has been no significant improvement in the number of passengers travelling through Cardiff Airport since the Welsh Government took ownership of the airport.

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) provide an update on progress made to develop new routes from the airport and increase freight operations;

 

b) publish a current market valuation of Cardiff Airport; and

 

c) publish a clear and comprehensive strategy for the benefit of passengers, businesses and taxpayers which includes proposals for long-haul routes and explores all options for the future of Cardiff Airport, including returning the airport to private ownership.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

42

53

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 1 and replace with:

 

Notes that future improvement in the number of passengers travelling through Cardiff Airport will depend upon government support and sound commercial management

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

0

16

53

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Regrets that the Welsh Government took ownership of Cardiff Airport without first having produced a full business case for doing so.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

16

0

37

53

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 3 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government and UK Government to work together to devolve long-haul air passenger duty to the National Assembly for Wales.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

53

0

0

53

Amendment 3 was agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 2 and replace with:

 

Calls on the Welsh government to:

 

a) publish a clear and comprehensive growth strategy including proposals for long-haul routes;

 

b) explore all options for the future of Cardiff Airport, including both public and private investment models; and

 

c) secure the devolution of air passenger duty in order to generate additional routes, increase passenger numbers and boost to the Welsh economy.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

38

53

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5684 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that future improvement in the number of passengers travelling through Cardiff Airport will depend upon government support and sound commercial management

 

2. Calls on the Welsh Government and UK Government to work together to devolve long-haul air passenger duty to the National Assembly for Wales.

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) provide an update on progress made to develop new routes from the airport and increase freight operations;

 

b) publish a current market valuation of Cardiff Airport; and

 

c) publish a clear and comprehensive strategy for the benefit of passengers, businesses and taxpayers which includes proposals for long-haul routes and explores all options for the future of Cardiff Airport, including returning the airport to private ownership.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

38

53

The motion as amended was not agreed.

(60 mins)

4.

Welsh Conservatives Debate

NDM5681 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that the Welsh Government has not used previous Barnett consequentials from the UK Government to provide local authorities with the ability to freeze council tax for residents in Wales;

 

2. Further notes that band D council tax households in Wales would be £149.31 a year better off if the Welsh Government had acted to freeze council tax in each year since 2010;

 

3. Regrets that council tax bills have increased by over 150% in Wales since 1997/98, and believes that such crippling rises have placed undue pressure on hard-pressed households; and

 

4. Believes that local authorities have a duty to spend public money with care and prudence, in order to ensure that council tax rates are set as low as possible for residents and that council tax rates provide value for money for the taxpayer.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete points 2 and 3 and replace with:

 

Notes the difficult financial situation facing local government and the impact of UK Government austerity measures on Welsh public expenditure.

 

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 4 and replace with:

 

Believes that in light of the average 3.4% cut in the local government revenue settlement, the first duty of local authorities is to protect vital public services.

Decision:

The item started at 16.00

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5681 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that the Welsh Government has not used previous Barnett consequentials from the UK Government to provide local authorities with the ability to freeze council tax for residents in Wales;

 

2. Further notes that band D council tax households in Wales would be £149.31 a year better off if the Welsh Government had acted to freeze council tax in each year since 2010;

 

3. Regrets that council tax bills have increased by over 150% in Wales since 1997/98, and believes that such crippling rises have placed undue pressure on hard-pressed households; and

 

4. Believes that local authorities have a duty to spend public money with care and prudence, in order to ensure that council tax rates are set as low as possible for residents and that council tax rates provide value for money for the taxpayer.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

42

53

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete points 2 and 3 and replace with:

 

Notes the difficult financial situation facing local government and the impact of UK Government austerity measures on Welsh public expenditure.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

0

16

53

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 4 and replace with:

 

Believes that in light of the average 3.4% cut in the local government revenue settlement, the first duty of local authorities is to protect vital public services.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

42

0

11

53

Amendment 2 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5681 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that the Welsh Government has not used previous Barnett consequentials from the UK Government to provide local authorities with the ability to freeze council tax for residents in Wales;

 

2. Notes the difficult financial situation facing local government and the impact of UK Government austerity measures on Welsh public expenditure.

 

3. Believes that in light of the average 3.4% cut in the local government revenue settlement, the first duty of local authorities is to protect vital public services.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

0

43

53

The motion as amended was not agreed.

Point of Order

Nick Ramsay raised a Point of Order regarding how Ann Jones had referred to Janet Finch Saunders during the previous debate. The Deputy Presiding Officer ruled that while the term ‘hypocrite’ would certainly be out of order, he had heard the word ‘hypocrisy’, which may be allowable depending on the context, and how directly it was aimed at the character of a Member. The Deputy Presiding Officer said he would review the record but urged Members to find alternative ways of suggesting inconsistencies in others’ contributions.

(60 mins)

5.

Plaid Cymru Debate

NDM5686 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that Wales has historically made a substantial contribution to the UK's energy portfolio.

 

2. Regrets the provisions within the UK Government's Infrastructure Bill that will allow fracking companies to drill beneath Welsh homes without permission from property owners.

 

3. Believes that energy should be fully devolved to the National Assembly for Wales and that the Welsh Government should have the power to block fracking.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to do everything within its power to prevent fracking from taking place in Wales until it is proven to be safe in both an environmental and public health context.

 

The UK Government's Infrastructure Bill is available at: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2014-15/infrastructure.html

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 -  Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Delete points 2, 3 and 4 and replace with:

 

2. Regrets that a cross-party amendment to the UK Government’s Infrastructure Bill to implement a moratorium on fracking for two and a half years while risks are assessed was rejected.

 

3. Calls for the UK Government to implement the Silk Commission's recommendations for energy devolution and for licensing of onshore oil and gas extraction to be devolved to the National Assembly for Wales, as recommended for Scotland by the Smith Commission.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to prevent fracking from taking place in Wales by issuing a new Technical Advice Note setting out the environmental and health standards expected of fracking operations and to direct planning authorities to reject applications for fracking operations unless it is proven to be safe for the environment and public health.

 

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]

 

Amendment 2 -  Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Delete point 2 and replace with:

 

Welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to ensure that communities will benefit from a substantial community fund, if shale gas extraction does take place.

 

Amendment 3 -  Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

Calls for devolution of competency for energy projects up to 100mw, and for Welsh Government to build additional capacity for future projects.

 

Amendment 4 -  Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at the end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that local communities have a say in deciding whether or not they want to support shale gas exploration in their area.

 

Amendment 5 -  Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that there is up to date planning guidance relating to the extraction of shale gas

 

Amendment 6 -   Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

 

Calls on Welsh Government to ensure that Natural Resources Wales has sufficient funding and expertise to be able to respond to drilling licenses for shale gas and to ensure appropriate monitoring of groundwater supply and waste water, so that it is safe and causes no significant risk to human health or to the environment.

 

Amendment 7 -  Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at the end of the motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to undertake research relating to the safe distance criteria required before fracking can be undertaken near or underneath residential housing.

Decision:

The item started at 16.59

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5686 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that Wales has historically made a substantial contribution to the UK's energy portfolio.

 

2. Regrets the provisions within the UK Government's Infrastructure Bill that will allow fracking companies to drill beneath Welsh homes without permission from property owners.

 

3. Believes that energy should be fully devolved to the National Assembly for Wales and that the Welsh Government should have the power to block fracking.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to do everything within its power to prevent fracking from taking place in Wales until it is proven to be safe in both an environmental and public health context.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

0

16

53

The motion without amendment was agreed.

6.

Voting Time

Decision:

The item started at 17.56

(30 mins)

7.

Short Debate

NDM5685 Peter Black (South Wales West)

 

Firefighters' Pension Schemes: Credit where credit's due

 

Ensuring that ex-service personnel aren't short-changed by the new firefighters' pension scheme.

Decision:

The item started at 18.01

 

NDM5685 Peter Black (South Wales West)

 

Firefighters' Pension Schemes: Credit where credit's due

 

Ensuring that ex-service personnel aren't short-changed by the new firefighters' pension scheme.

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

Record of Proceedings

Supporting documents: