Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd/Zoom

Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones 

Expected timing: 297(v4) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 20/10/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

Llywydd's statement

The Llywydd expressed her condolences to the Deputy Presiding Officer, Ann Jones and her family, on the death of her husband Adrian.

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the First Minister

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

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.31

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party leaders to ask questions to the First Minister after question 2.

 

(30 mins)

2.

Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his "law officer" responsibilities)

Minutes:

The item started at 14.31

All 7 questions were asked.

 

(15 mins)

3.

Business Statement and Announcement

Minutes:

The item started at 15.08

 

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.34 the Presiding Officer suspended the meeting.

 

(0 mins)

4.

To be issued as a Written Statement - Statement by the First Minister: The current state of Intergovernmental Relations

Minutes:

The statement was issued as a written statement.

 

(45 mins)

5.

Statement by the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport: Funding for Buses

Minutes:

The item started at 15.40

 

(0 mins)

6.

To be issued as a Written Statement - Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: Draft Plan to Tackle Fuel Poverty in Wales

Minutes:

The statement was issued as a written statement.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.34 the temporary chair suspended the meeting.

 

7.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020

NDM7435 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 9 October 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 16.21

 

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

NDM7435 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 9 October 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

45

2

4

51

The motion was agreed.

 

8.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 18) (Bangor) Regulations 2020

NDM7434 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 18) (Bangor) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 12 October 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 16.21

 

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

NDM7434 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 18) (Bangor) Regulations 2020 laid in the Table Office on 12 October 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

9

6

52

The motion was agreed.

 

(15 mins)

9.

The Senedd Cymru (Disqualification) Order 2020

NDM7436 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Senedd Cymru (Disqualification) Order 2020 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 29 September 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 16.42

 

NDM7436 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Senedd Cymru (Disqualification) Order 2020 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 29 September 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(15 mins)

10.

The Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020

NDM7437 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 29 September 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 16.48

 

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

NDM7437 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Smoke-free Premises and Vehicles (Wales) Regulations 2020 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 29 September 2020.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

46

3

3

52

The motion was agreed.

 

Motion to suspend Standing Orders

The item started at 17.01

 

NDM7442 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

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

Suspends Standing Order 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 NDM7441 to be considered in Plenary on Tuesday 20 October 2020.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 17.02 the temporary chair suspended the meeting.

 

(90 mins)

11.

Debate: Coronavirus

NDM7441 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd

1.   Recognises the seriousness of the position created by growing numbers of cases and of Covid-19 in Wales and the increasing number of people in hospitals and Intensive Care Units as a result;

2.   Agrees that a short ‘fire break’ period as proposed by SAGE and the WG Technical Advisory Group should be introduced to bring down R, reduce chains of onward transmission, minimise clusters of infection in the community and to further strengthen the Test Trace Protect system;

3.   Agrees that a firebreak must be underpinned by additional support to protect livelihoods and wellbeing and notes the provision of emergency financial support brought forward by the Welsh Government for businesses impacted by the firebreak.

Co-submitters

Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 1 and 2 tabled to the motion have not been selected.

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the recent trends in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Wales and the number of people in hospitals and intensive care units with COVID-19.

2. Expresses disappointment at the failure of the Welsh Government to publish sufficient data and evidence to demonstrate that a firebreak period for all parts of Wales is either proportionate or necessary.

3. Believes that any coronavirus restrictions must be underpinned by support for those adversely affected, including support for businesses, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

4. Welcomes the unprecedented financial support from Her Majesty’s Government, including more than £4.4 billion to assist in meeting the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to rethink its coronavirus strategy and adopt a more targeted approach to intervention.

Amendment 4 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that existing capacity should be fully utilised and that the additional resources that are necessary should be provided as a matter of urgency to the Welsh test trace protect system to ensure that all results are returned and tracing teams notified of positive results within 24 hours of a test.

Amendment 5 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the firebreak should be used as an opportunity to plan and implement a new set of interventions based on a Zero COVID or elimination strategy which aims to avoid the necessity for successive waves of lockdowns, drawing upon the lessons of best practice from within Wales and internationally in areas such as, though not limited to: mass and routine testing including testing asymptomatic contacts; ventilation; preventing importation of cases from outside Wales; practical and financial support and advice for those needing to isolate; clear and consistent public communication; and extending mask-wearing to other settings.

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

Amendment 8 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to review its hospital infection control policies for preventing hospital-acquired infections of COVID-19 and to consider establishing designated COVID-19 free sites to facilitate timely and secure treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Minutes:

The item started at 17.07

 

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

NDM7441 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd

1.   Recognises the seriousness of the position created by growing numbers of cases and of Covid-19 in Wales and the increasing number of people in hospitals and Intensive Care Units as a result;

2.   Agrees that a short ‘fire break’ period as proposed by SAGE and the WG Technical Advisory Group should be introduced to bring down R, reduce chains of onward transmission, minimise clusters of infection in the community and to further strengthen the Test Trace Protect system;

3.   Agrees that a firebreak must be underpinned by additional support to protect livelihoods and wellbeing and notes the provision of emergency financial support brought forward by the Welsh Government for businesses impacted by the firebreak.

Co-submitters

Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

The following amendments were tabled:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 1 and 2 tabled to the motion were not selected.

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the recent trends in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Wales and the number of people in hospitals and intensive care units with COVID-19.

2. Expresses disappointment at the failure of the Welsh Government to publish sufficient data and evidence to demonstrate that a firebreak period for all parts of Wales is either proportionate or necessary.

3. Believes that any coronavirus restrictions must be underpinned by support for those adversely affected, including support for businesses, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

4. Welcomes the unprecedented financial support from Her Majesty’s Government, including more than £4.4 billion to assist in meeting the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to rethink its coronavirus strategy and adopt a more targeted approach to intervention.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

13

1

37

51

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that existing capacity should be fully utilised and that the additional resources that are necessary should be provided as a matter of urgency to the Welsh test trace protect system to ensure that all results are returned and tracing teams notified of positive results within 24 hours of a test.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

30

4

52

Amendment 4 was agreed.

Amendment 5 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Agrees that the firebreak should be used as an opportunity to plan and implement a new set of interventions based on a Zero COVID or elimination strategy which aims to avoid the necessity for successive waves of lockdowns, drawing upon the lessons of best practice from within Wales and internationally in areas such as, though not limited to: mass and routine testing including testing asymptomatic contacts; ventilation; preventing importation of cases from outside Wales; practical and financial support and advice for those needing to isolate; clear and consistent public communication; and extending mask-wearing to other settings.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

36

7

53

Amendment 5 was agreed.

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

Amendment 8 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to review its hospital infection control policies for preventing hospital-acquired infections of COVID-19 and to consider establishing designated COVID-19 free sites to facilitate timely and secure treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

A vote was taken on amendment 8:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

20

29

4

53

Amendment 8 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7441

Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd

1.   Recognises the seriousness of the position created by growing numbers of cases and of Covid-19 in Wales and the increasing number of people in hospitals and Intensive Care Units as a result;

2.   Agrees that a short ‘fire break’ period as proposed by SAGE and the WG Technical Advisory Group should be introduced to bring down R, reduce chains of onward transmission, minimise clusters of infection in the community and to further strengthen the Test Trace Protect system;

3.   Agrees that a firebreak must be underpinned by additional support to protect livelihoods and wellbeing and notes the provision of emergency financial support brought forward by the Welsh Government for businesses impacted by the firebreak.

4.   Agrees that existing capacity should be fully utilised and that the additional resources that are necessary should be provided as a matter of urgency to the Welsh test trace protect system to ensure that all results are returned and tracing teams notified of positive results within 24 hours of a test.

5.   Agrees that the firebreak should be used as an opportunity to plan and implement a new set of interventions based on a Zero COVID or elimination strategy which aims to avoid the necessity for successive waves of lockdowns, drawing upon the lessons of best practice from within Wales and internationally in areas such as, though not limited to: mass and routine testing including testing asymptomatic contacts; ventilation; preventing importation of cases from outside Wales; practical and financial support and advice for those needing to isolate; clear and consistent public communication; and extending mask-wearing to other settings.

6.   Calls on the Welsh Government to review its hospital infection control policies for preventing hospital-acquired infections of COVID-19 and to consider establishing designated COVID-19 free sites to facilitate timely and secure treatment for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

0

16

53

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

(60 mins)

12.

Debate: The Children's Commissioner for Wales Annual Report 2019-20

NDM7433 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’s Annual Report 2019-20.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales’s Annual Report 2019-20

The Children's Commissioner for Wales's Annual Accounts 2019-20

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) the amendment tabled to the motion has not been selected.

Minutes:

The item started at 18.42

 

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

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendment 1 tabled to the motion was not selected.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7433 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’s Annual Report 2019-20.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales’s Annual Report 2019-20

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

49

3

1

53

The motion was agreed.

 

13.

Voting Time

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 34.14D, at 19.13 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before voting time.

 

The item started at 19.19.

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents: