Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 265(v4) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 04/03/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

Questions 1-6 and 8 were asked. Questions 5 and 8 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 Housing and Local Government

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.21

Questions 1, 2, 4-7  and 9 were asked. Questions 6 and 9 were grouped together for answer. Question 3 was withdrawn. Questions 5 and 7 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism

 

Delyth Jewell (South Wales East) What discussions has the Minister had in relation to the reports that Six Nations Rugby games may only be available on a pay-per-view basis in the future? (TAQ401)

 

To ask the Counsel General and Brexit Mnister

 

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To what extent was the Welsh Government consulted over the content of the UK’s mandate for the negotiations with the EU? (TAQ204)

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.06

To ask the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism

Delyth Jewell (South Wales East) What discussions has the Minister had in relation to the reports that Six Nations Rugby games may only be available on a pay-per-view basis in the future?

To ask the Counsel General and Brexit Mnister

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore): To what extent was the Welsh Government consulted over the content of the UK’s mandate for the negotiations with the EU?

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.34

Mick Antoniw made a statement on -  The ‘35th anniversary of the end of the miners’ strike’

 

(60 mins)

5.

Debate on the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee report: The Welsh Government's Draft International Strategy

NDM7286 - David Rees (Aberavon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on the Welsh Government’s Draft International Strategy which was laid in the Table Office on 12 December 2019.

Note: The response by the Welsh Government was laid on 5 February 2020.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.35

NDM7286 - David Rees (Aberavon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on the Welsh Government’s Draft International Strategy which was laid in the Table Office on 12 December 2019.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(60 mins)

6.

Welsh Conservatives Debate - Looked After Children

NDM7287 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales;

1. Notes the Public Accounts Committee’s report into care experienced children and young people and the Ministerial Advisory Group for Improving Outcomes for Children Programme’s Annual Report 2019.

2. Further notes that the life chances of looked-after children and care leavers are significantly poorer than those children who are not in care.

3. Regrets that the number of looked after children in Wales has risen by 34 per cent in the last 15 years, and that nearly 10 per cent of children in care have been in three or more placements.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) urgently review local authority plans on reducing the numbers of looked-after children;

b) assist local authorities in recruiting 550 Welsh foster families to cover the gaps found by the Fostering Network;

c) investigate financial and rehabilitative support available to adoptive parents; and

d) ensure the roll out of access to free positive parenting courses to be offered for all parents and guardians across Wales.

Public Accounts Committee report - Care Experienced Children and Young People - November 2018

Ministerial Advisory Group for Improving Outcomes for Children Programme’s Annual Report 2019

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that there are complex reasons behind the increasing levels of children in care, but believes that the expectation on local authorities to set targets in order to address the problem is a superficial solution.

Amendment 2 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that:

a) a well-recognised route out of care is via good quality contact between looked after children and their parents;

b) contact ought not to be reduced or restricted for the convenience of paid care providers; and

c) restricted contact can retain children in care for longer than necessary.

Amendment 3 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that care leavers who become parents are also at risk of discrimination and that all looked after children's cases might usefully be revisited to check for any history of discrimination against parents that contributed to their child remaining looked after.

Amendment 4 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that the profit motive should be taken out of children's care and that private companies are not best placed to serve the interests of children in Wales going forward.

Amendment 5 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Demands that children who allege abuse in care are taken seriously and that they are provided with an advocate, spoken to by a child protection specialist in a place of safety in order to go through the issues they have raised.

Amendment 6 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that investigations of complaints disputing facts in intake and assessment reports in relation to looked after children need to be totally independent and not paid for by the county council about whom the complainant is complaining.

 

 

 

Minutes:

          The item started at 16.28

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7287 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales;

1. Notes the Public Accounts Committee’s report into care experienced children and young people and the Ministerial Advisory Group for Improving Outcomes for Children Programme’s Annual Report 2019.

2. Further notes that the life chances of looked-after children and care leavers are significantly poorer than those children who are not in care.

3. Regrets that the number of looked after children in Wales has risen by 34 per cent in the last 15 years, and that nearly 10 per cent of children in care have been in three or more placements.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) urgently review local authority plans on reducing the numbers of looked-after children;

b) assist local authorities in recruiting 550 Welsh foster families to cover the gaps found by the Fostering Network;

c) investigate financial and rehabilitative support available to adoptive parents; and

d) ensure the roll out of access to free positive parenting courses to be offered for all parents and guardians across Wales.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

41

0

10

51

The motion without amendment was agreed.

 

(30 mins)

7.

Plaid Cymru Debate - Eating Disorders

NDM7288 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2020 takes place from 2 March to 8 March and that the focus this year will be on the importance of empowering and supporting families and friends.

2. Believes that:

a) eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with high mortality rates;

b) recovery is possible;

c) families and friends can play a crucial role in supporting recovery.

3. Commends those that worked on and participated in the Eating Disorder Service Review 2018 launched by the Welsh Government and its ambition to build a world-class eating disorder service for Wales which is accessible to all who need it.

4. Believes that empowering and supporting families, friends and other carers will be essential to realising this ambition.

5. Regrets the extended period of time it took for Welsh Government to respond to the outcome of the 2018 Service Review.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government and health boards, local authorities and all other stakeholders to ensure full implementation of the Eating Disorder Service Review 2018 recommendations.

Welsh Government Eating Disorders Review - November 2018

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point 5 and renumber accordingly:

Further regrets the length of time to develop waiting times for adult and child services outlined in the Minister for Health and Social Service's response on 26 September 2019.

Written Statement - Review of Welsh Eating Disorder Services - Minister for Health and Social Services - 26 September 2019

Amendment 2 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

In point 6, after ‘stakeholders to’ insert ‘urgently’.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.33

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment

NDM7288 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2020 takes place from 2 March to 8 March and that the focus this year will be on the importance of empowering and supporting families and friends.

2. Believes that:

a) eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with high mortality rates;

b) recovery is possible;

c) families and friends can play a crucial role in supporting recovery.

3. Commends those that worked on and participated in the Eating Disorder Service Review 2018 launched by the Welsh Government and its ambition to build a world-class eating disorder service for Wales which is accessible to all who need it.

4. Believes that empowering and supporting families, friends and other carers will be essential to realising this ambition.

5. Regrets the extended period of time it took for Welsh Government to respond to the outcome of the 2018 Service Review.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government and health boards, local authorities and all other stakeholders to ensure full implementation of the Eating Disorder Service Review 2018 recommendations.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

43

0

8

51

 

The motion without amendment was agreed.

 

(30 mins)

8.

Plaid Cymru Debate - Mental Health Services

NDM7289 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the concerns about quality of care raised by relatives of Welsh patients in inpatient mental health units in England.

2. Believes that no patient experiencing mental health problems should be sent to units that are large distances from their family.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) ensure sufficient inpatient capacity for mental health services in Wales so that the outsourcing of care can be phased out;

b) have a plan for the repatriation of Welsh patients currently living in units in England;

c) place a ban on the Welsh NHS using units in England that have poor reports from the Care Quality Commission;

d) ensure that units outside of Wales receiving Welsh NHS money comply with Welsh inspection requirements.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Calls on Welsh Government to:

a) ensure that distance from home is considered as a key factor for people who require specialist mental health in-patient support       

b) ensure robust arrangements are in place to monitor the quality and safety of placements in units in England, including collaborative working with the Care Quality Commission.

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

Amendment 2 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) ensure all Welsh medium and high security mental health patients are placed in Wales unless in exceptional circumstances;

b) ensure sufficient medium and high security inpatient capacity for mental health services in Wales so that the outsourcing of care can be phased out;

c) ensure that Health Inspectorate Wales and the Care Quality Commission collaborate so that mental health units outside of Wales who receive Welsh patients are complying with inspection requirements;

d) introduce Senior Responsible Officers for medium and high security Welsh mental health patients to enable joint working between Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee and local health boards with a focus on the patient; and

e) ensure that communication plans must be put alongside treatment plans for medium and high security Welsh mental health patients to manage the expectations of the patient, their families and clinicians.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.57

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7289 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the concerns about quality of care raised by relatives of Welsh patients in inpatient mental health units in England.

2. Believes that no patient experiencing mental health problems should be sent to units that are large distances from their family.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) ensure sufficient inpatient capacity for mental health services in Wales so that the outsourcing of care can be phased out;

b) have a plan for the repatriation of Welsh patients currently living in units in England;

c) place a ban on the Welsh NHS using units in England that have poor reports from the Care Quality Commission;

d) ensure that units outside of Wales receiving Welsh NHS money comply with Welsh inspection requirements.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

40

51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Calls on Welsh Government to:

a) ensure that distance from home is considered as a key factor for people who require specialist mental health in-patient support      

b) ensure robust arrangements are in place to monitor the quality and safety of placements in units in England, including collaborative working with the Care Quality Commission.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

31

1

19

51

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As Amendment 1 was agreed amendment 2 was de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7289 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the concerns about quality of care raised by relatives of Welsh patients in inpatient mental health units in England.

2. Calls on Welsh Government to:

a) ensure that distance from home is considered as a key factor for people who require specialist mental health in-patient support      

b) ensure robust arrangements are in place to monitor the quality and safety of placements in units in England, including collaborative working with the Care Quality Commission.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

11

0

51

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

9.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.26

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

10.

Short Debate

NDM7280 - Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

Is obesity a disease?

 

Minutes:

The item started at 18.30

NDM7280 - Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

Is obesity a disease?