Agenda and minutes

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Expected timing: 278(v6) 

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Transcript: Transcript for 20/05/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

The item started at 13.32

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the virtual Plenary and set out that this Plenary meeting, being held by video conference in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Welsh Parliament, constitutes proceedings of the Senedd for the purposes of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

The Llywydd stated that, having consulted with the Business Committee, some of the provisions of Standing Order 34 will apply - all of which were noted on the agenda.

The Llywydd stated that, in accordance with Standing Order 34.15, that the public have been excluded from attending this Plenary meeting, as is required to protect public health, though the meeting would be broadcast live and the record of proceedings would be published as usual.

The Llywydd also reminded Members that Standing Orders relating to Order and the organisation of business in Plenary meetings would apply to this meeting.

(5 mins)

1.

Business Statement and Announcement

Minutes:

The item started at 13.32

(45 mins)

2.

Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Minutes:

The item started at 13.33

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Minister for Education

Helen Mary Jones (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the higher education sector, following the Wales Governance Centre’s report about the financial impact of Covid-19 on universities in Wales?

To ask the Minister for Housing and Local Government

Delyth Jewell (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement providing an update on the support and resources that will be available to local authorities in developing contact tracing capacity following publication of the Welsh Government’s strategy for lifting the current restrictions?

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.17

To ask the Minister for Education

Helen Mary Jones (Mid and West Wales): Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the higher education sector, following the Wales Governance Centre’s report about the financial impact of Covid-19 on universities in Wales?

To ask the Minister for Housing and Local Government

Delyth Jewell (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement providing an update on the support and resources that will be available to local authorities in developing contact tracing capacity following publication of the Welsh Government’s strategy for lifting the current restrictions?

(45 mins)

4.

Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Minutes:

The item stared at 14.32

Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)

The item started at 15.25

NNDM7325 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Orders 33.6 and 33.8:

Suspends Standing Orders 12.20(i), 12.22(i) and that part of Standing Order 11.16 that requires the weekly announcement under Standing Order 11.11 to constitute the timetable for business in Plenary for the following week, to allow a debate on NNDM7326 to be considered in Plenary on Wednesday 20 May 2020.

A vote was conducted on the motion.

As indicated on the Agenda, today’s votes were conducted in accordance with Standing Order 34.11.

The result of the vote on the motion was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

56

1

0

57

As 2/3rds of the Members voting did support the Motion, the Motion was agreed.

(90 mins)

5.

Debate: COVID19 - Unlocking our Society and Economy: Continuing the Conversation

NNDM7326 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the publication of Unlocking Our Society and Economy: Continuing the Conversation which sets out how Wales can progressively move out of lockdown

2. Agrees public health should be at the forefront of the decisions about when and how the stay-at-home regulations will be eased

3. Thanks the people of Wales for their ongoing support and commitment to reducing the spread of coronavirus

4. Commends the hard work and dedication of critical workers throughout Wales during the pandemic.

Unlocking our Society and Economy: Continuing the Conversation

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that the Welsh Government must work in collaboration with other governments in the United Kingdom as part of a coherent four-nation approach to lifting the lockdown.

Amendment 2 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Recognises those who have lost their lives during the pandemic and extends its deepest sympathy to those affected by bereavement.

Amendment 3 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to update Unlocking Our Society and Economy to include:

a) indicative timescales for the lifting of lockdown measures;

b) details of the milestones and targets to be achieved prior to the lifting of each measure;

c) the establishment of task forces in key ministerial departments to oversee the implementation of the plan; and

d) a proper financial plan to support the delivery of the roadmap.

Amendment 4 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Supports the call by Wales’s four Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners for the First Minister to ensure that the maximum fines police can issue for non-compliance with the public health regulations are increased so that restrictions are robustly enforced for as long as they are in place.

Amendment 5 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that having a robust testing and contact tracing system in place is a necessary prerequisite for the substantial lifting of restrictions.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 6, 7 and 8 tabled to the motion have not been selected.

Amendment 9 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to press the UK Government to introduce a universal basic income and to explore all other avenues available to the Welsh Government to ensure that a baseline of financial support is available to the people of Wales throughout the phases of the restrictions on our society and economy.

Minutes:

The item started at 15.40

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

As indicated on the Agenda, today’s votes were conducted in accordance with Standing Order 34.11.

Votes were conducted by roll-call.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point 1 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that the Welsh Government must work in collaboration with other governments in the United Kingdom as part of a coherent four-nation approach to lifting the lockdown.

The result of the vote on Amendment 1 was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

47

0

10

57

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Recognises those who have lost their lives during the pandemic and extends its deepest sympathy to those affected by bereavement.

The result of the vote on Amendment 2 was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

57

0

0

57

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to update Unlocking Our Society and Economy to include:

a) indicative timescales for the lifting of lockdown measures;

b) details of the milestones and targets to be achieved prior to the lifting of each measure;

c) the establishment of task forces in key ministerial departments to oversee the implementation of the plan; and

d) a proper financial plan to support the delivery of the roadmap.

The result of the vote on Amendment 3 was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

0

39

57

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Supports the call by Wales’s four Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners for the First Minister to ensure that the maximum fines police can issue for non-compliance with the public health regulations are increased so that restrictions are robustly enforced for as long as they are in place.

The result of the vote on Amendment 4 was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

51

5

1

57

Amendment 4 was agreed.

Amendment 5 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Believes that having a robust testing and contact tracing system in place is a necessary prerequisite for the substantial lifting of restrictions.

The result of the vote on Amendment 5 was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

51

1

5

57

Amendment 5 was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 6, 7 and 8 tabled to the motion were not selected.

Amendment 9 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to press the UK Government to introduce a universal basic income and to explore all other avenues available to the Welsh Government to ensure that a baseline of financial support is available to the people of Wales throughout the phases of the restrictions on our society and economy.

The result of the vote on Amendment 9 was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

0

17

57

Amendment 9 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NNDM7326 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the publication of Unlocking Our Society and Economy: Continuing the Conversation which sets out how Wales can progressively move out of lockdown

2. Believes that the Welsh Government must work in collaboration with other governments in the United Kingdom as part of a coherent four-nation approach to lifting the lockdown.

3. Agrees public health should be at the forefront of the decisions about when and how the stay-at-home regulations will be eased

4. Recognises those who have lost their lives during the pandemic and extends its deepest sympathy to those affected by bereavement.

5. Thanks the people of Wales for their ongoing support and commitment to reducing the spread of coronavirus

6. Commends the hard work and dedication of critical workers throughout Wales during the pandemic.

7. Supports the call by Wales’s four Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners for the First Minister to ensure that the maximum fines police can issue for non-compliance with the public health regulations are increased so that restrictions are robustly enforced for as long as they are in place.

8. Believes that having a robust testing and contact tracing system in place is a necessary prerequisite for the substantial lifting of restrictions.

9. Calls on the Welsh Government to press the UK Government to introduce a universal basic income and to explore all other avenues available to the Welsh Government to ensure that a baseline of financial support is available to the people of Wales throughout the phases of the restrictions on our society and economy.

The result of the vote on the motion as amended was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

4

13

57

The motion was agreed.

6.

Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19) - WITHDRAWN

The Senedd agreed, under Standing Order 12.24, to debate the following two items together but with separate votes

7.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020

NDM7322 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus  Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 24 April 2020.

Supporting Documents
Explanatory Memorandum
Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.26

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

As indicated on the Agenda, today’s votes were conducted in accordance with Standing Order 34.11.

Votes were conducted by roll-call.

NDM7322 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus  Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 24 April 2020.

Votes were conducted by roll-call.

The result of the vote on the motion was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

51

0

6

57

The motion was agreed.

 

8.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020

NDM7323 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus  Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 11 May 2020.

Supporting Documents
Explanatory Memorandum
Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

 

Minutes:

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

As indicated on the Agenda, today’s votes were conducted in accordance with Standing Order 34.11.

Votes were conducted by roll-call.

NDM7323 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus  Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 11 May 2020.

Votes were conducted by roll-call.

The result of the vote on the motion was:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

11

6

57

The motion was agreed.

 

(15 mins)

9.

The Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) (Wales) Regulations 2020

NDM7324 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) (Wales) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 29 April 2020.

Supporting Documents
Explanatory Memorandum
Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.59

NDM7324 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) (Wales) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 29 April 2020.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

10.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.01

As indicated on the Agenda, today’s votes were conducted in accordance with Standing Order 34.11.

Each political group nominated one Member of the group or grouping to carry the same number of votes as there are members of the group. In the case of a political group with an executive role, the nominee will carry the same number of votes as there are members of that group plus any other members of the government. Members who do not belong to a group or grouping voted for themselves.

Votes Summary

Supporting documents: