Agenda and decisions
Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd
Media
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(45 mins) |
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. 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. |
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(45 mins) |
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. 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withdrawn.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. |
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(60 mins) |
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
The
motion as amended was not agreed. |
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(60 mins) |
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.
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:
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:
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.
The motion as amended
was not agreed. |
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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. |
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(60 mins) |
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.
The
motion without amendment was agreed. |
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Voting Time Decision: The item started at 17.56 |
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(30 mins) |
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. |
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Votes Summary Supporting documents: |
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Record of Proceedings Supporting documents: |