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 Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

Questions 1-4 and 6–9 were asked. Question 5 was withdrawn. Questions 7 and 8 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership. The Presiding Officer invited Party Spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Counsel General after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.18

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 3 and 5 were grouped together for answer. The Presiding Officer invited Party Spokespeople to ask questions to the Counsel General after question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 15.09

All 4 questions were asked. Questions 1 and 2 were grouped together for answer.

To ask the Minister for Education and Welsh Language

Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the 2021 census data about Welsh language skills which shows that the number of Welsh speakers in Wales has decreased for the second decade in a row?

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on the increase of cases of group A streptococcus in schools?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Mon): Will the Minister make a statement on the Government’s response to threats of industrial action across the Welsh NHS, and on its plans to try to avert such actions through negotiation?

The item started at 15.21

Answered by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language

Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central): Will the Minister make a statement on the 2021 census data about Welsh language skills which shows that the number of Welsh speakers in Wales has decreased for the second decade in a row?

Answered by the Minister for Health and Social Services

Laura Anne Jones (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on the increase of cases of group A streptococcus in schools?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Mon): Will the Minister make a statement on the Government’s response to threats of industrial action across the Welsh NHS, and on its plans to try to avert such actions through negotiation?

The item started at 15.56

Jayne Bryant made a statement on - Peter Baldwin passed away aged 13 due to complications resulting from his diabetes being diagnosed too late. Peter Baldwin would have turned 21 this December. There was an event in the Senedd on Tuesday 6 December as part of Peter’s legacy.

Cefin Campbell made a statement on - Radio Glangwili, which will be celebrating 50 years since its founding on Christmas Day this year.   

NDM8093 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill that would make provision to encourage the use of British Sign Language (BSL) in Wales, and improve access to education and services in BSL.

2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:

a) remove the barriers that exist for deaf people and their families in education, health, public services, support services and in the workplace;

b) strengthen the seven well-being goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 as they relate to BSL;

c) work towards ensuring that deaf people who use BSL are not treated less favourably than those who speak Welsh or English;

d) ensure that deaf communities have a voice in the design and delivery of services to ensure they meet their needs;

e) establish a BSL Commissioner who will:

(i) formulate BSL standards;.

(ii) establish a BSL advisory panel;

(iii) produce reports every five years in BSL, Welsh and English on the position of BSL in that period;

(iv) provide guidance and a process for public bodies to promote and facilitate BSL in their respective domains;

f) establish a procedure for the investigation of complaints;

g) require public bodies to report on their progress in promoting and facilitating BSL through their Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 reporting cycle;

h) place a duty on the Welsh Government to prepare and publish an annual BSL report describing what Welsh Government departments have done to promote the use of BSL.

The item started at 16.00

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

NDM8093 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill that would make provision to encourage the use of British Sign Language (BSL) in Wales, and improve access to education and services in BSL.

2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:

a) remove the barriers that exist for deaf people and their families in education, health, public services, support services and in the workplace;

b) strengthen the seven well-being goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 as they relate to BSL;

c) work towards ensuring that deaf people who use BSL are not treated less favourably than those who speak Welsh or English;

d) ensure that deaf communities have a voice in the design and delivery of services to ensure they meet their needs;

e) establish a BSL Commissioner who will:

(i) formulate BSL standards;.

(ii) establish a BSL advisory panel;

(iii) produce reports every five years in BSL, Welsh and English on the position of BSL in that period;

(iv) provide guidance and a process for public bodies to promote and facilitate BSL in their respective domains;

f) establish a procedure for the investigation of complaints;

g) require public bodies to report on their progress in promoting and facilitating BSL through their Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 reporting cycle;

h) place a duty on the Welsh Government to prepare and publish an annual BSL report describing what Welsh Government departments have done to promote the use of BSL.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

NDM8157 Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Petitions Committee, ‘Mark Allen’s Law Water safety and drowning prevention’, which was laid in the Table Office on 2 August 2022.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 30 November 2022.

The item started at 16.25

NDM8157 Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Petitions Committee, ‘Mark Allen’s Law Water safety and drowning prevention’, which was laid in the Table Office on 2 August 2022.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 30 November 2022.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8158 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: ‘Report on operation of the interim environmental protection measures', laid on 28 September 2022.

The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 30 November 2022.

The item started at 16.56

NDM8158 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: ‘Report on operation of the interim environmental protection measures', laid on 28 September 2022.

The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 30 November 2022.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

At 17.30, the Presiding Officer made a statement about the impact of scheduling two 30 minute debates has on the time allocated per Member contribution. She stated Business Committee will consider speaking times relative to the length of a debate and whether the use of 30 minute debates provides the Senedd with sufficient time to consider certain topics.

NDM8160 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to establish an independent review of children’s social care in Wales.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

Supports the Welsh Government’s plans for the reform of children’s social care without the need for an independent review that would draw in valuable resources and be a distraction to the excellent work carried out by those providing services to vulnerable children, their parents and carers.

The item started at 17.31

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8160 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to establish an independent review of children’s social care in Wales.

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the motion. Therefore, motion was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

Supports the Welsh Government’s plans for the reform of children’s social care without the need for an independent review that would draw in valuable resources and be a distraction to the excellent work carried out by those providing services to vulnerable children, their parents and carers.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM8160 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

Supports the Welsh Government’s plans for the reform of children’s social care without the need for an independent review that would draw in valuable resources and be a distraction to the excellent work carried out by those providing services to vulnerable children, their parents and carers.

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM8161 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to reflect on the serious concerns expressed by self-catering accommodation providers across Wales regarding the assessment period for determining eligibility for qualifying for business rates in 2022-2023, and amend the regulations accordingly.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that:

a) the Welsh Government has consulted widely on changes to the criteria used to classify self-catering accommodation as non-domestic for local tax purposes, which will take effect from April 2023.

b) compliance with the new criteria will not be assessed until after 1 April 2023.

c) these changes are part of a wider package measures to designed to support vibrant local communities, in which people can afford to live and work all year round

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

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the concerns expressed by self-catering accommodation providers, which are under pressure from platforms such as AirBnB.

2. Believes the Welsh Government should continue to undertake the recommendations of the recent consultation to ensure genuine self-catered accommodation is distinguished from domestic properties in relation to local taxes.

The item started at 18.04

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8161 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Calls on the Welsh Government to reflect on the serious concerns expressed by self-catering accommodation providers across Wales regarding the assessment period for determining eligibility for qualifying for business rates in 2022-2023, and amend the regulations accordingly.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that:

a) the Welsh Government has consulted widely on changes to the criteria used to classify self-catering accommodation as non-domestic for local tax purposes, which will take effect from April 2023.

b) compliance with the new criteria will not be assessed until after 1 April 2023.

c) these changes are part of a wider package measures to designed to support vibrant local communities, in which people can afford to live and work all year round

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM8161 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that:

a) the Welsh Government has consulted widely on changes to the criteria used to classify self-catering accommodation as non-domestic for local tax purposes, which will take effect from April 2023.

b) compliance with the new criteria will not be assessed until after 1 April 2023.

c) these changes are part of a wider package measures to designed to support vibrant local communities, in which people can afford to live and work all year round

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 18.25

NDM8159 Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

Atomic dreams: nuclear power and blind faith in an ageing technology

The item started at 18.30

NDM8159 Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

Atomic dreams: nuclear power and blind faith in an ageing technology