Agenda and minutes

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

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

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

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

View Business Statement and Announcement

The item started at 14.28

The item started at 14.44

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.13 the meeting was suspended by the Presiding Officer.

The item started at 15.21

NDM7788 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Education Tribunal for Wales (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 14 September 2021.

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

The item started at 16.07

NDM7788 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Education Tribunal for Wales (Amendment) Regulations 2021 are made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 14 September 2021.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM7787 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 29.6, agrees that provisions in the Professional Qualifications Bill in so far as they fall within the legislative competence of the Senedd, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

A Legislative Consent Memorandum was laid in Table Office on 17 June 2021 in accordance with Standing Order 29.2.

Professional Qualifications Bill

Supporting Documents
Report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee
Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The item started at 16.08

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

NDM7787 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 29.6, agrees that provisions in the Professional Qualifications Bill in so far as they fall within the legislative competence of the Senedd, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

A Legislative Consent Memorandum was laid in Table Office on 17 June 2021 in accordance with Standing Order 29.2.

Professional Qualifications Bill

The result was as follows:

The motion was not agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 16.29 the meeting was suspended by the Presiding Officer.

NDM7789 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 17) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 27 September 2021.

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

The item started at 16.32

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

NDM7789 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

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

1. Approves that the draft The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 17) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 27 September 2021.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

NDM7786 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the potential for a vacant land tax in Wales to contribute to increasing housing supply and bringing idle land into productive use.

2. Regrets the failure of the UK Government to take forward this proposal in line with the provisions of the Wales Act 2014.

3. Calls on the UK Government to work with Welsh Government to ensure there is an effective process for enabling the devolution of legislative competence over new areas of taxation to the Senedd.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1 – Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Recognises that the UK Government has been engaging with the Welsh Government over proposals to introduce a vacant land tax in Wales.

2. Acknowledges that there are a number of reasons as to why new developments may stall, and notes concerns that a vacant land tax may result in unintended consequences on the availability and affordability of land for development.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to publish its proposals for a vacant land tax, including a full impact assessment on the housing sector.

4. Further calls on the Welsh Government to work collaboratively with house builders, and to use all of the levers that it currently has available to build the affordable, quality homes that Wales needs to tackle the housing crisis.

The item started at 17.28

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

NDM7786 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the potential for a vacant land tax in Wales to contribute to increasing housing supply and bringing idle land into productive use.

2. Regrets the failure of the UK Government to take forward this proposal in line with the provisions of the Wales Act 2014.

3. Calls on the UK Government to work with Welsh Government to ensure there is an effective process for enabling the devolution of legislative competence over new areas of taxation to the Senedd.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 – Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

1. Recognises that the UK Government has been engaging with the Welsh Government over proposals to introduce a vacant land tax in Wales.

2. Acknowledges that there are a number of reasons as to why new developments may stall, and notes concerns that a vacant land tax may result in unintended consequences on the availability and affordability of land for development.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to publish its proposals for a vacant land tax, including a full impact assessment on the housing sector.

4. Further calls on the Welsh Government to work collaboratively with house builders, and to use all of the levers that it currently has available to build the affordable, quality homes that Wales needs to tackle the housing crisis.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7786 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the potential for a vacant land tax in Wales to contribute to increasing housing supply and bringing idle land into productive use.

2. Regrets the failure of the UK Government to take forward this proposal in line with the provisions of the Wales Act 2014.

3. Calls on the UK Government to work with Welsh Government to ensure there is an effective process for enabling the devolution of legislative competence over new areas of taxation to the Senedd.

The motion without amendment was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 18.07 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before voting time.

The item started at 18.19.