Agenda and decisions

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

 

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The item started at 13.30

The first 15 questions were asked. Question 10 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister and the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism after Question 2.

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The item started at 14.14

Both questions were asked.

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The item started at 14.20

The question was asked.

NDM5825 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Regrets that recent Local Data Company statistics put Wales's town vacancy rate at 15.6 per cent, by far the highest in the UK;

 

2. Regrets the Welsh Government's persistent failure to promote high streets and town centres, help small businesses and ensure job creation; and

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to seriously consider the proposals outlined in the Welsh Conservative documents 'A Vision for the Welsh High Street' and 'Invest Wales' which would help SMEs and regenerate our high streets. 

 

'A Vision for the Welsh High Street'

 

'Invest Wales'.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to help boost footfall in high streets by ensuring public and active transport links are properly accessible; applying business rates to out of town retail unit car parks; and encouraging local authorities to trial limited free parking to support struggling high streets.

 

Amendment 2 – Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to encourage local authorities to work on diversifying their high streets in order to increase footfall.

 

Amendment 3 – Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to consider a wide range of measures to help small businesses, including those on the high street, to include easing access to finance and extending business rate relief.

 

The item started at 14.24

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5825 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Regrets that recent Local Data Company statistics put Wales's town vacancy rate at 15.6 per cent, by far the highest in the UK;

 

2. Regrets the Welsh Government's persistent failure to promote high streets and town centres, help small businesses and ensure job creation; and

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to seriously consider the proposals outlined in the Welsh Conservative documents 'A Vision for the Welsh High Street' and 'Invest Wales' which would help SMEs and regenerate our high streets.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	39	50

The motion without amendment was agreed/not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to help boost footfall in high streets by ensuring public and active transport links are properly accessible; applying business rates to out of town retail unit car parks; and encouraging local authorities to trial limited free parking to support struggling high streets.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 – Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to encourage local authorities to work on diversifying their high streets in order to increase footfall.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
51	0	0	51

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3 – Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to consider a wide range of measures to help small businesses, including those on the high street, to include easing access to finance and extending business rate relief.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
51	0	0	51

Amendment 3 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5825 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Regrets that recent Local Data Company statistics put Wales's town vacancy rate at 15.6 per cent, by far the highest in the UK;

 

2. Regrets the Welsh Government's persistent failure to promote high streets and town centres, help small businesses and ensure job creation; and

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to seriously consider the proposals outlined in the Welsh Conservative documents 'A Vision for the Welsh High Street' and 'Invest Wales' which would help SMEs and regenerate our high streets.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to encourage local authorities to work on diversifying their high streets in order to increase footfall.

 

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to consider a wide range of measures to help small businesses, including those on the high street, to include easing access to finance and extending business rate relief.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	40	51

The motion as amended was not agreed.

NDM5827 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Supports a strong media as an integral element of a free and fully-functioning democracy in Wales;

 

2. Recognises the significant impact of the media and creative industries on the Welsh economy;

 

3. Is concerned about the UK Government's current proposals for the BBC ahead of its charter renewal in 2016 with particular regard to broadcasting in both English and Welsh and a strong BBC Wales and S4C;

 

4. Calls upon its committees to inquire into and act upon fundamental changes to the media industry in order to support its democratic functions in Wales; and

 

5. Re-establishes a broadcasting sub-committee in order to formulate a view and position on the BBC Charter Renewal as soon as possible.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure the financial stability and editorial independence of S4C.

 

Amendment 2 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Delete point 5 and replace with:

 

Welcomes the agreement of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee to undertake an inquiry into the BBC charter review.

The item started at 15.26

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5827 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Supports a strong media as an integral element of a free and fully-functioning democracy in Wales;

 

2. Recognises the significant impact of the media and creative industries on the Welsh economy;

 

3. Is concerned about the UK Government's current proposals for the BBC ahead of its charter renewal in 2016 with particular regard to broadcasting in both English and Welsh and a strong BBC Wales and S4C;

 

4. Calls upon its committees to inquire into and act upon fundamental changes to the media industry in order to support its democratic functions in Wales; and

 

5. Re-establishes a broadcasting sub-committee in order to formulate a view and position on the BBC Charter Renewal as soon as possible.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	41	51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure the financial stability and editorial independence of S4C.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
51	0	0	51

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Delete point 5 and replace with:

 

Welcomes the agreement of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee to undertake an inquiry into the BBC charter review.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
41	0	10	51

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5827 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Supports a strong media as an integral element of a free and fully-functioning democracy in Wales;

 

2. Recognises the significant impact of the media and creative industries on the Welsh economy;

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure the financial stability and editorial independence of S4C.

 

4. Is concerned about the UK Government's current proposals for the BBC ahead of its charter renewal in 2016 with particular regard to broadcasting in both English and Welsh and a strong BBC Wales and S4C;

 

5. Calls upon its committees to inquire into and act upon fundamental changes to the media industry in order to support its democratic functions in Wales; and

 

6. Welcomes the agreement of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee to undertake an inquiry into the BBC charter review.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
40	0	11	51

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM5826 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Recognises the importance of the Supporting People Programme which offers invaluable support for vulnerable people to live independently within their community and to end social exclusion;

 

2. Notes that last year the programme supported over 60,000 people in Wales including those who are homeless, at risk of domestic violence, elderly, disabled, or have complex needs;

 

3. Notes that the Supporting People Programme had an 8.3 per cent real terms cut in funding between 2014-15 and 2015-16.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) review the administration and monitoring requirements of the Supporting People programme to ensure that funding is prioritised for front-line provision; and

 

b) protect the Supporting People grant within the 2016-17 Welsh Government budget.

 

The following amendment has been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 – Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Notes that the Supporting People programme reduces unnecessary pressures on statutory services such as health and social services and that it is estimated that every £1 invested in this programme can save up to £2.30 for the public purse.

The item started at 16.27

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM5826 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Recognises the importance of the Supporting People Programme which offers invaluable support for vulnerable people to live independently within their community and to end social exclusion;

 

2. Notes that last year the programme supported over 60,000 people in Wales including those who are homeless, at risk of domestic violence, elderly, disabled, or have complex needs;

 

3. Notes that the Supporting People Programme had an 8.3 per cent real terms cut in funding between 2014-15 and 2015-16.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) review the administration and monitoring requirements of the Supporting People programme to ensure that funding is prioritised for front-line provision; and

 

b) protect the Supporting People grant within the 2016-17 Welsh Government budget.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 – Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Notes that the Supporting People programme reduces unnecessary pressures on statutory services such as health and social services and that it is estimated that every £1 invested in this programme can save up to £2.30 for the public purse.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
51	0	0	51

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM5826 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Recognises the importance of the Supporting People Programme which offers invaluable support for vulnerable people to live independently within their community and to end social exclusion;

 

2. Notes that last year the programme supported over 60,000 people in Wales including those who are homeless, at risk of domestic violence, elderly, disabled, or have complex needs;

 

3. Notes that the Supporting People Programme had an 8.3 per cent real terms cut in funding between 2014-15 and 2015-16.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

 

a) review the administration and monitoring requirements of the Supporting People programme to ensure that funding is prioritised for front-line provision; and

 

b) protect the Supporting People grant within the 2016-17 Welsh Government budget.

 

5. Notes that the Supporting People programme reduces unnecessary pressures on statutory services such as health and social services and that it is estimated that every £1 invested in this programme can save up to £2.30 for the public purse.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

The motion as amended was not agreed.

The item started at 17.06

NDM5824 Bethan Jenkins (South Wales West): Righting an historical wrong: the case of Linda Lewis

 

Calls for a fresh inquiry into Linda Lewis, a mother falsely accused.

NDM5824 Bethan Jenkins (Gorllewin De Cymru) Gwneud yn iawn am anghyfiawnder hanesyddol: achos Linda Lewis