Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Expected timing: 110(v5) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 10/01/2018 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

Presiding Officer Statement

The Presiding Officer welcomed the new Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, Adrian O’Neill, on his visit to the National Assembly.

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport

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

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport after question 2.

(15 mins)

2.

Questions to the Counsel General

Minutes:

The item started at 14.20

The 4 questions were asked.

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services:

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the crisis in the Welsh NHS this winter, in light of reports that services are at breaking point?

To ask the First Minister:

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister make a statement on the impact of the EU Withdrawal Bill on Wales, given that the UK Government has not tabled amendments relating to devolution to the Bill?

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the First Minister make a statement on the announcement this morning of Welsh Government capital funding for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon?

Minutes:

The item started at 14.37

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services:

Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the crisis in the Welsh NHS this winter, in light of reports that services are at breaking point?

To ask the First Minister (answered by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance):

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales): Will the First Minister make a statement on the impact of the EU Withdrawal Bill on Wales, given that the UK Government has not tabled amendments relating to devolution to the Bill?

Suzy Davies (South Wales West): Will the First Minister make a statement on the announcement this morning of Welsh Government capital funding for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon?

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.20

Jane Hutt made a statement paying tribute to the UK’s youngest rail chaplain, Hannah Tuck from Barry.

Point of Order

The item started at 15.22

Referring to a Point of Order raised on 13 December 2017, Gareth Bennett apologised for the offence caused by comments he had made on 12 December 2017 in the Siambr. He made clear his respect for the Presiding Officer’s authority as Chair; however, he stood by the views he expressed.

The Presiding Officer accepted Gareth Bennett’s apology, and assured the right of any Members to air views that were unpalatable to other Members and to others, provided that the language used by them was both parliamentary and non-discriminatory.

(60 mins)

5.

Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee report: Turning the tide? Report of the inquiry into the Welsh Government's approach to Marine Protected Area management

NDM6620 Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on 'Turning the tide? Report of the inquiry into the Welsh Government’s approach to Marine Protected Area management', which was laid in the Table Office on 7 August 2017.

Note: The response by the Welsh Government was laid on 3 October 2017.

Supporting documents
Letter from the Chair of the Committee to the Cabinet Secretary – 3 October 2017
Response from the Cabinet Secretary to the Chair of the Committee – 2 November 2017

Minutes:

The item started at 15.23

NDM6620 Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on 'Turning the tide? Report of the inquiry into the Welsh Government’s approach to Marine Protected Area management', which was laid in the Table Office on 7 August 2017.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

6.

Welsh Conservatives debate

NDM6619 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the inability of the Welsh road network to cope with the current level of demand from motorists.

2. Regrets that Wales’s substandard road infrastructure is costing the Welsh economy hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

3. Acknowledges the vital importance of a fit-for-purpose and proper functioning road network for the long-term development of the Welsh economy.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to look at innovative ways of funding future road projects.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the importance of a reliable and efficient road network as part of an integrated and sustainable multi-modal transport system that can support the economy and communities of Wales.

2. Notes the Welsh Government’s recently published National Transport Finance Plan that sets out an ambitious programme of road, rail, bus and active travel improvements as part of a balanced and sustainable plan for transport investment.

3. Recognises the Welsh Government’s plan to develop a five year programme of transport capital funding to support road, rail, bus and active travel infrastructure investment.

4. Calls on the UK Government to ensure Wales gets its fair share of UK infrastructure investment and to work with the Welsh Government to examine innovative ways of funding future projects.

National Transport Finance Plan

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

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that in order to better connect Wales’s communities, improve the quality of journeys for commuters and develop the Welsh economy, appropriate investment in all modes of transport, not just roads, is required , including railways, coaches and buses, air and water.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the Welsh Government’s intention to commit all of its capital borrowing budget to build the M4 ‘Black route’.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.16

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6619 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the inability of the Welsh road network to cope with the current level of demand from motorists.

2. Regrets that Wales’s substandard road infrastructure is costing the Welsh economy hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

3. Acknowledges the vital importance of a fit-for-purpose and proper functioning road network for the long-term development of the Welsh economy.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to look at innovative ways of funding future road projects.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

0

35

53

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the importance of a reliable and efficient road network as part of an integrated and sustainable multi-modal transport system that can support the economy and communities of Wales.

2. Notes the Welsh Government’s recently published National Transport Finance Plan that sets out an ambitious programme of road, rail, bus and active travel improvements as part of a balanced and sustainable plan for transport investment.

3. Recognises the Welsh Government’s plan to develop a five year programme of transport capital funding to support road, rail, bus and active travel infrastructure investment.

4. Calls on the UK Government to ensure Wales gets its fair share of UK infrastructure investment and to work with the Welsh Government to examine innovative ways of funding future projects.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

27

53

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that in order to better connect Wales’s communities, improve the quality of journeys for commuters and develop the Welsh economy, appropriate investment in all modes of transport, not just roads, is required , including railways, coaches and buses, air and water.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

52

0

1

53

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the Welsh Government’s intention to commit all of its capital borrowing budget to build the M4 ‘Black route’.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

17

26

53

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6619 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the inability of the Welsh road network to cope with the current level of demand from motorists.

2. Regrets that Wales’s substandard road infrastructure is costing the Welsh economy hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

3. Acknowledges the vital importance of a fit-for-purpose and proper functioning road network for the long-term development of the Welsh economy.

4. Believes that in order to better connect Wales’s communities, improve the quality of journeys for commuters and develop the Welsh economy, appropriate investment in all modes of transport, not just roads, is required , including railways, coaches and buses, air and water.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to look at innovative ways of funding future road projects.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

29

0

24

53

The motion as amended was agreed.

(60 mins)

7.

Plaid Cymru debate

NDM6621 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the Welsh Government to abolish 'priority need' within the homelessness system and replace it with a duty to provide accommodation for all homeless people regardless of why they are homeless, as part of a move towards a ‘housing first’ policy.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the positive impact that the Welsh Government’s statutory framework under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 has had in focusing the homelessness system onto prevention of homelessness and the firm foundation this provides for further action.

2. Recognises the increasing pressures on the system and particular issues for some groups.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to consider abolishing 'priority need' within the homelessness system and replacing it with a duty to provide an offer of suitable accommodation for all homeless people regardless of why they are homeless, as part of a move towards a comprehensive approach to ending homelessness in Wales which includes a ‘housing first’ policy.

Housing (Wales) Act 2014

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

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all before “as part of a move towards a ‘housing first’ policy” and replace with:

"Notes with concern the increase in homelessness in Wales and calls on the Welsh government to establish a cross party commission to agree a homelessness strategy to include ending rough sleeping by 2020,"

Minutes:

The item started at 17.18

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6621 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Calls on the Welsh Government to abolish 'priority need' within the homelessness system and replace it with a duty to provide accommodation for all homeless people regardless of why they are homeless, as part of a move towards a ‘housing first’ policy.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

0

43

53

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the positive impact that the Welsh Government’s statutory framework under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 has had in focusing the homelessness system onto prevention of homelessness and the firm foundation this provides for further action.

2. Recognises the increasing pressures on the system and particular issues for some groups.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to consider abolishing 'priority need' within the homelessness system and replacing it with a duty to provide an offer of suitable accommodation for all homeless people regardless of why they are homeless, as part of a move towards a comprehensive approach to ending homelessness in Wales which includes a ‘housing first’ policy.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

27

53

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all before “as part of a move towards a ‘housing first’ policy” and replace with:

"Notes with concern the increase in homelessness in Wales and calls on the Welsh government to establish a cross party commission to agree a homelessness strategy to include ending rough sleeping by 2020,"

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

0

35

53

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

As the Assembly did not agree the motion without amendment, and did not agree the amendments tabled to the motion, the motion was therefore not agreed.

8.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.20

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

9.

Short Debate

NDM6615 Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy)

Calling for a charter for ‘Dignity in Retirement and the Security of Older People’

Minutes:

The item started at 18.26

NDM6615 Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy)

Calling for a charter for ‘Dignity in Retirement and the Security of Older People’