Agenda and minutes
Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd/ Zoom
Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones
Expected timing: 290(v5)
Media
Senedd.TV: View the webcast
Transcript: Transcript for 23/09/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd
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This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference. |
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(45 mins) |
Statement by the First Minister - Keeping Wales Safe from Coronavirus Minutes: The
item started at 13.32 |
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(45 mins) |
Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd Supporting documents: Minutes: The
item started at 14.35 The
first 6 questions were asked. 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 International Relations and the Welsh Language Minutes: The
item started at 15.21 The
first 6 questions were asked. Questions 1-3 and 5 were answered by the Deputy
Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism. The Presiding Officer invited party
spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2. |
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(30 mins) |
Questions to the Senedd Commission Minutes: The item started at 16.06 All 4 questions were asked. |
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(0 mins) |
Topical Questions No topical questions have been accepted. Minutes: No
topical questions were accepted. |
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(5 mins) |
90 Second Statements Minutes: The
item started at 16.25 Helen
Mary Jones made a statement on Adult Learning Week. In
accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 16.27 the Deputy Presiding Officer
suspended the meeting. |
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(5 mins) |
Motion to amend Standing Orders: Oversight of the Electoral Commission NDM7388 Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To propose that the Senedd, in accordance
with Standing Order 33.2: 1. Considers the report of the Business
Committee, ‘Amending Standing Orders - Oversight of the Electoral Commission’, laid
in the Table Office on 16 September 2020; 2. Approves the proposals to amend Standing
Orders as set out in Annex B of the report of the Business Committee; and 3. Notes that this motion takes effect when
section 28 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 is commenced by
order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act
2020. Minutes: The item started at 16.32 NDM7388 Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To
propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2: 1.
Considers the report of the Business Committee, ‘Amending Standing Orders -
Oversight of the Electoral Commission’, laid in
the Table Office on 16 September 2020; 2.
Approves the proposals to amend Standing Orders as set out in Annex B of the
report of the Business Committee; and 3.
Notes that this motion takes effect when section 28 of the Senedd and Elections
(Wales) Act 2020 is commenced by order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of
the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020. The
motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. |
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(5 mins) |
Motion to establish a committee under Standing Order 16.3: The Llywydd's Committee NDM7389
Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To propose that the Senedd, in accordance
with Standing Order 16.3: 1. Establishes the Llywydd’s Committee to
carry out the functions set out in Standing Order 18.B2; and 2. Notes that this motion takes effect when section 28 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 is commenced by order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 Minutes: The item started at 16.33 NDM7389 Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To
propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3: 1.
Establishes the Llywydd’s Committee to carry out the functions set out in
Standing Order 18.B2; and 2.
Notes that this motion takes effect when section 28 of the Senedd and Elections
(Wales) Act 2020 is commenced by order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of
the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 The
motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. |
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(5 mins) |
Motion to elect a member to the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee. NDM7390 Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with
Standing Order 17.3, elects Caroline Jones (Independent) as a member of the
Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee. Minutes: The item started at 16.33 NDM7390
Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To
propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects
Caroline Jones (Independent) as a member of the Equality, Local Government and
Communities Committee. The
motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. |
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(5 mins) |
Motion to elect Members to the Llywydd's Committee NDM7391 Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To propose that the Senedd, in accordance
with Standing Order 17.3 and 18B.4: 1. Elects the following as members of the
Llywydd’s Committee: a) The Deputy Presiding Officer as Chair of
the Committee; b) Llyr Gruffydd, (chair of the responsible
committee under Standing Order 19); and c) Rhianon Passmore (Welsh Labour), Suzy
Davies (Welsh Conservatives), Dai Lloyd (Plaid Cymru), and David Rowlands
(Brexit Party). 2. Notes that this motion takes effect when
section 28 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 is commenced by
order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act
2020. Senedd
and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 Minutes: The item started at 16.34 NDM7391 Elin
Jones (Ceredigion) To
propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3 and 18B.4: 1.
Elects the following as members of the Llywydd’s Committee: a)
The Deputy Presiding Officer as Chair of the Committee; b)
Llyr Gruffydd, (chair of the responsible committee under Standing Order 19);
and c)
Rhianon Passmore (Welsh Labour), Suzy Davies (Welsh Conservatives), Dai Lloyd
(Plaid Cymru), and David Rowlands (Brexit Party). 2.
Notes that this motion takes effect when section 28 of the Senedd and Elections
(Wales) Act 2020 is commenced by order
made under Section 42 (3) (b) of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020. Senedd
and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 The
motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. |
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(60 mins) |
Debate on the Finance Committee report - Impact of variations in national and sub-national income tax NDM7385 Llyr
Gruffydd (North
Wales) To propose that the Senedd: Notes the report of the Finance Committee
on the Impact of variations in national and sub-national income tax, which was laid
in the Table Office on 2 July 2020. Note: The response
of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 16
September 2020. Minutes: The item started at 16.34 NDM7385 Llyr
Gruffydd (North
Wales) To
propose that the Senedd: Notes
the report of the Finance Committee on the Impact of variations in national and
sub-national income tax, which was laid in
the Table Office on 2 July 2020. Note:
The response of
the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 16 September
2020. The
motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. |
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(60 mins) |
Welsh Conservatives debate - Higher Education NDM7387
Darren Millar (Clwyd West) To propose that the Senedd: 1. Notes the importance of higher and
further education to Wales and its economy. 2. Believes that students deserve value for
money in return for the investment they make in their higher and further
education. 3. Regrets the impact of the coronavirus
pandemic on students in Wales and the interruption to courses. 4. Welcomes the additional financial
resources provided to Welsh colleges and universities to support them through
the pandemic. 5. Notes that there has been no reduction
in fees paid by students to reflect the adverse impact of the pandemic on their
studies. 6. Calls upon the Welsh Government to: a) work with colleges and universities to
ensure that fees reflect the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their
courses; b) ensure that students take the
opportunity to access learning either in person or, in the event of unavoidable
COVID-19 restrictions, through more live streaming; c) address the concerns of students,
employers, and further and higher education providers in relation to a
narrowing of the syllabus of some courses which contribute towards entry
requirements for colleges and universities. Amendment 1 Siân
Gwenllian (Arfon) Delete point 4 and renumber accordingly. Amendment 2 Rebecca Evans (Gower) Delete points 5 and 6 and replace with: Welcomes the efforts of students, colleges
and universities to continue operating safely and effectively in challenging
circumstances over the coming term, and thanks them for their efforts. Notes the extensive work by colleges and
universities to maintain opportunities to access learning either in person or,
in the event of unavoidable COVID-19 restrictions, through online tuition,
assessment, and support. Notes the guidance issued by Welsh
Government to support higher and further education providers to prepare for the
new term and open campuses safely. Guidance for safe operation in post-16 learning from September
2020 Guidance for higher education: Keep Wales Safe (COVID-19) If Amendment 2 is
agreed, Amendment 3 and 4 will be de-selected Amendment 3 Siân
Gwenllian (Arfon) ensure that the higher education sector has
sufficient resources to enable institutions to continue to maintain standards
and to continue to widen access; Amendment 4 Siân
Gwenllian (Arfon) Insert as new sub-point 6(b) and renumber
accordingly: work with the further education and work-based
learning sectors to ensure that they are adequately and sustainably resourced
to provide the best possible learning opportunities, especially to
disadvantaged learners, at this challenging time Minutes: The
item started at 17.08 Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time. A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment: NDM7387 Darren
Millar (Clwyd West) To
propose that the Senedd: 1.
Notes the importance of higher and further education to Wales and its economy. 2.
Believes that students deserve value for money in return for the investment
they make in their higher and further education. 3.
Regrets the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students in Wales and the
interruption to courses. 4.
Welcomes the additional financial resources provided to Welsh colleges and
universities to support them through the pandemic. 5.
Notes that there has been no reduction in fees paid by students to reflect the
adverse impact of the pandemic on their studies. 6.
Calls upon the Welsh Government to: a)
work with colleges and universities to ensure that fees reflect the impact of
the coronavirus pandemic on their courses; b)
ensure that students take the opportunity to access learning either in person
or, in the event of unavoidable COVID-19 restrictions, through more live
streaming; c)
address the concerns of students, employers, and further and higher education
providers in relation to a narrowing of the syllabus of some courses which
contribute towards entry requirements for colleges and universities.
The
motion without amendment was not agreed. The
following amendments were tabled: Amendment
1 Siân
Gwenllian (Arfon) Delete
point 4 and renumber accordingly. A
vote was taken on amendment 1:
Amendment
1 was not agreed. Amendment
2 Rebecca
Evans (Gower) Delete
points 5 and 6 and replace with: Welcomes
the efforts of students, colleges and universities to continue operating safely
and effectively in challenging circumstances over the coming term, and thanks
them for their efforts. Notes
the extensive work by colleges and universities to maintain opportunities to
access learning either in person or, in the event of unavoidable COVID-19
restrictions, through online tuition, assessment, and support. Notes
the guidance issued by Welsh Government to support higher and further education
providers to prepare for the new term and open campuses safely. Guidance
for safe operation in post-16 learning from September 2020 Guidance
for higher education: Keep Wales Safe (COVID-19) A
vote was taken on amendment 2:
Amendment
2 was agreed. As
Amendment 2 was agreed, Amendments 3 and 4 were de-selected A
vote was taken on the motion as amended: NDM7387 Darren
Millar (Clwyd West) To
propose that the Senedd: 1.
Notes the importance of higher and further education to Wales and its economy. 2.
Believes that students deserve value for money in return for the investment
they make in their higher and further education. 3.
Regrets the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students in Wales and the
interruption to courses. 4.
Welcomes the additional financial resources provided to Welsh colleges and
universities to support them through the pandemic. 5.
Welcomes the efforts of students, colleges and universities to continue
operating safely and effectively in challenging circumstances over the coming
term, and thanks them for their efforts. 6.
Notes the extensive work by colleges and universities to maintain opportunities
to access learning either in person or, in the event of unavoidable COVID-19
restrictions, through online tuition, assessment, and support. 7.
Notes the guidance issued by Welsh Government to support higher and further
education providers to prepare for the new term and open campuses safely. Guidance
for safe operation in post-16 learning from September 2020 Guidance
for higher education: Keep Wales Safe (COVID-19)
The
motion as amended was agreed. In
accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 18.11 the Deputy Presiding Officer
suspended the meeting. |
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(60 mins) |
Plaid Cymru debate - Second Homes NDM7386 Sian
Gwenllian (Arfon) To propose that the Senedd: 1. Recognises the housing crisis in many of
Wales’s communities and specifically recognises the detrimental impact of
unsustainable levels of second homes in depriving the ability of local people
to access homes in those communities. 2. Welcomes the steps some local
authorities have taken as a result of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 to introduce
council tax premiums on second homes as one behaviour changing method around
the use of second homes and to facilitate the introduction of measures to meet
the local need for housing, but agrees that renewed intervention and leadership
is now required at a national level. 3. Calls on the Welsh Government to
act immediately in developing and introducing a package of measures which would
include but would not be limited to: a) using the planning system to control the
ability to change the use of a residential dwelling from a sole or main
residence to a second home; b) enabling the introduction of a cap on
the proportion of the overall housing stock in a community which may be used as
second homes in communities where the concentration of second homes is already
unsustainable; c) modernising legislation which currently
means that not a penny of council tax must be paid on some second homes; d) doubling the council tax premium which
may be charged on second homes to at least 200 per cent to reinforce work
already taking place in some local authorities in seeking to change behaviour
around the use of second homes, generate revenue to be invested in social
housing and to compensate communities for the detrimental impact of an overuse
of second homes on local communities and local services; e) doubling the higher rates of land
transaction tax for an initial period of six months in an attempt to prevent
house prices from spiralling further beyond the reach of the local population
and first time buyers in many communities; f) taking positive steps to promote access
to housing at a price which is within the reach of the local market, including
the possibility of encouraging the development of homes which have local market
clauses attached; g) encouraging and prioritising the
purchase of empty homes by local authorities and housing associations in order
to meet the local need for social housing; and h) looking afresh at what constitutes an
affordable home. Amendment 1 Darren
Millar (Clwyd West) Delete all and replace with: To propose that the Senedd: 1. Recognises the housing crisis in many of
Wales’s communities and the need to enable local people to access homes in
those communities. 2. Calls on the Welsh Government to act
immediately in developing and introducing a package of measures which would
include but would not be limited to: a) taking positive steps to promote access
to housing at a price which is within the reach of local people, including
reintroducing a reformed right to buy and exploring the options for encouraging
the development of homes which have local market clauses attached; b) encouraging and prioritising the
purchase of empty homes by local authorities and housing associations in order
to meet the local need for social housing; and c) clarifying what constitutes an
affordable home. 3. Calls on the Welsh Government to work
with the tourism sector and the Valuation Office Agency to establish an
evidence base for policy regarding eligibility for self-catering accommodation
to be recorded on the non-domestic rating list. If Amendment 1 is agreed, Amendments 2and 3
will be de-selected Amendment 2 Rebecca
Evans (Gower) Delete all and replace with: To propose that the Senedd: 1. Recognises the challenges second homes –
and empty homes - can have on the affordability and availability of housing in
some communities in Wales. 2. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s
long-standing commitment to the provision of good quality, affordable housing,
recognising its fundamental role as the bedrock of strong sustainable
communities. 3. Welcomes that whilst the pandemic has
had an impact on the building of affordable homes, the Welsh Government will
meet the 20,000 target by the end of this Senedd term, which will help to meet
the need for local housing. 4. Notes that Wales is the only nation in
the UK where local authorities are able to charge a premium of up to 100 per
cent of the standard rate of council tax both on second homes and long-term
empty properties. 5. Further notes that in Wales, unlike the
rest of the UK, the Welsh Government did not provide a temporary tax reduction
for buy to let investors, investors in furnished holiday lets or buyers of
second homes. 6. Calls on the Welsh Government to undertake
an evidenced, thorough review of second home ownership in Wales and the
measures that might be necessary to ensure the needs of individuals,
communities and the economy, in particular the visitor economy, are well
balanced. Such a review should look at the role of taxation, planning, local
regulation and the supply and access to affordable housing of all tenures. If Amendment 2 is agreed, Amendment 3 will
be de-selected Amendment 3 Neil
McEvoy (South Wales Central) In sub-point 3(g), after 'associations'
insert: ', through compulsory purchase if
necessary,' Minutes: The
item started at 18.16 Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time. A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment: NDM7386
Sian
Gwenllian (Arfon) To
propose that the Senedd: 1.
Recognises the housing crisis in many of Wales’s communities and specifically
recognises the detrimental impact of unsustainable levels of second homes in
depriving the ability of local people to access homes in those communities. 2.
Welcomes the steps some local authorities have taken as a result of the Housing
(Wales) Act 2014 to introduce council tax premiums on second homes as one
behaviour changing method around the use of second homes and to facilitate the
introduction of measures to meet the local need for housing, but agrees that
renewed intervention and leadership is now required at a national level. 3. Calls on the Welsh Government to act
immediately in developing and introducing a package of measures which would
include but would not be limited to: a)
using the planning system to control the ability to change the use of a
residential dwelling from a sole or main residence to a second home; b)
enabling the introduction of a cap on the proportion of the overall housing
stock in a community which may be used as second homes in communities where the
concentration of second homes is already unsustainable; c)
modernising legislation which currently means that not a penny of council tax
must be paid on some second homes; d)
doubling the council tax premium which may be charged on second homes to at
least 200 per cent to reinforce work already taking place in some local authorities
in seeking to change behaviour around the use of second homes, generate revenue
to be invested in social housing and to compensate communities for the
detrimental impact of an overuse of second homes on local communities and local
services; e)
doubling the higher rates of land transaction tax for an initial period of six
months in an attempt to prevent house prices from spiralling further beyond the
reach of the local population and first time buyers in many communities; f)
taking positive steps to promote access to housing at a price which is within
the reach of the local market, including the possibility of encouraging the
development of homes which have local market clauses attached; g) encouraging and prioritising the purchase of
empty homes by local authorities and housing associations in order to meet the
local need for social housing; and h)
looking afresh at what constitutes an affordable home.
The
motion without amendment was not agreed. The
following amendments were tabled: Amendment
1 Darren
Millar (Clwyd West) Delete
all and replace with: To
propose that the Senedd: 1.
Recognises the housing crisis in many of Wales’s communities and the need to
enable local people to access homes in those communities. 2.
Calls on the Welsh Government to act immediately in developing and introducing
a package of measures which would include but would not be limited to: a)
taking positive steps to promote access to housing at a price which is within
the reach of local people, including reintroducing a reformed right to buy and
exploring the options for encouraging the development of homes which have local
market clauses attached; b) encouraging and prioritising the purchase of
empty homes by local authorities and housing associations in order to meet the
local need for social housing; and c)
clarifying what constitutes an affordable home. 3.
Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the tourism sector and the Valuation
Office Agency to establish an evidence base for policy regarding eligibility
for self-catering accommodation to be recorded on the non-domestic rating
list. A
vote was taken on amendment 1:
Amendment
1 was not agreed. Amendment
2 Rebecca
Evans (Gower) Delete
all and replace with: To
propose that the Senedd: 1.
Recognises the challenges second homes – and empty homes - can have on the
affordability and availability of housing in some communities in Wales. 2.
Welcomes the Welsh Government’s long-standing commitment to the provision of
good quality, affordable housing, recognising its fundamental role as the
bedrock of strong sustainable communities. 3.
Welcomes that whilst the pandemic has had an impact on the building of
affordable homes, the Welsh Government will meet the 20,000 target by the end
of this Senedd term, which will help to meet the need for local housing. 4.
Notes that Wales is the only nation in the UK where local authorities are able
to charge a premium of up to 100 per cent of the standard rate of council tax
both on second homes and long-term empty properties. 5.
Further notes that in Wales, unlike the rest of the UK, the Welsh Government
did not provide a temporary tax reduction for buy to let investors, investors
in furnished holiday lets or buyers of second homes. 6.
Calls on the Welsh Government to undertake an evidenced, thorough review of
second home ownership in Wales and the measures that might be necessary to
ensure the needs of individuals, communities and the economy, in particular the
visitor economy, are well balanced. Such a review should look at the role of
taxation, planning, local regulation and the supply and access to affordable
housing of all tenures. A
vote was taken on amendment 2:
Amendment
2 was agreed. As
Amendment 2 was agreed, Amendment 3 was de-selected A
vote was taken on the motion as amended: NDM7386
Sian
Gwenllian (Arfon) To
propose that the Senedd: 1.
Recognises the challenges second homes – and empty homes - can have on the
affordability and availability of housing in some communities in Wales. 2.
Welcomes the Welsh Government’s long-standing commitment to the provision of
good quality, affordable housing, recognising its fundamental role as the
bedrock of strong sustainable communities. 3.
Welcomes that whilst the pandemic has had an impact on the building of
affordable homes, the Welsh Government will meet the 20,000 target by the end
of this Senedd term, which will help to meet the need for local housing. 4.
Notes that Wales is the only nation in the UK where local authorities are able
to charge a premium of up to 100 per cent of the standard rate of council tax
both on second homes and long-term empty properties. 5.
Further notes that in Wales, unlike the rest of the UK, the Welsh Government
did not provide a temporary tax reduction for buy to let investors, investors
in furnished holiday lets or buyers of second homes. 6.
Calls on the Welsh Government to undertake an evidenced, thorough review of
second home ownership in Wales and the measures that might be necessary to
ensure the needs of individuals, communities and the economy, in particular the
visitor economy, are well balanced. Such a review should look at the role of
taxation, planning, local regulation and the supply and access to affordable
housing of all tenures.
The
motion as amended was agreed. |
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Voting Time Minutes: In
accordance with Standing Order 34.14D, at 19.09 proceedings were suspended to
allow a technical break before voting time. The
item started at 19.18 |
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Votes Summary Supporting documents: |
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(30 mins) |
Short Debate NDM7377 Mark
Isherwood (North Wales) Building the foundations for change: the
impact of the Welsh Government’s Neurological Conditions Delivery Plan. Minutes: The
item started at 19.27 NDM7377
Mark
Isherwood (North Wales) Building
the foundations for change: the impact of the Welsh Government’s Neurological
Conditions Delivery Plan. |