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 made a statement notifying Members that the next ballot for Member Bills would be held on 18 October.

The item started at 13.30

NNDM8336 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

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

Suspends Standing Order 12.20(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 NNDM8335 to be considered in Plenary on Wednesday, 12 July 2023.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36. 

NNDM8335 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3 establishes a Reform Bill Committee to scrutinise Bills referred to it by the Business Committee.

Agrees that the Committee will be dissolved either:

i)  when all Bills referred to the Committee have received Royal Assent and the Business Committee has decided that no further Bills will be referred to the Committee; or

ii) when the Senedd so resolves;

whichever is the sooner.

The item started at 13.30

NNDM8335 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3 establishes a Reform Bill Committee to scrutinise Bills referred to it by the Business Committee.

Agrees that the Committee will be dissolved either:

i)  when all Bills referred to the Committee have received Royal Assent and the Business Committee has decided that no further Bills will be referred to the Committee; or

ii) when the Senedd so resolves;

whichever is the sooner.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NNDM8337 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2A agrees that the political group from which the chair of the Reform Bill Committee is elected will be the Welsh Labour group.

The item started at 13.31

At 13.32, proceedings were suspended for 10 minutes. The bell was rung 5 minutes before reconvening.

A vote was taken on the motion:

NNDM8337 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2A agrees that the political group from which the chair of the Reform Bill Committee is elected will be the Welsh Labour group.

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

The Llywydd will invite nominations for the chair of the following committee, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2F:

1. Reform Bill Committee – Labour.

The item started at 13.42

The Presiding Officer invited nominations for a committee chair in accordance with Standing Order 17.2F.

Reform Bill Committee (Labour)

Jack Sargeant nominated David Rees.

Sarah Murphy seconded the nomination.

As there was an objection to the nomination, the Presiding Officer referred the nomination to a secret ballot in accordance with Standing Order 17.2I.

At 18.00 The Presiding Officer announced the results of the secret ballot for the election of the Reform Bill Committee chair:

The Presiding Officer declared David Rees elected as Chair.

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.44

Questions 1-8, 10 and 11 were asked. Question 9 was not asked. 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 Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.31

The first 10 questions were asked. Questions 7 and 8 were grouped together for answer. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

To ask the Minister for Education and Welsh Language

Sioned Williams (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the Government's decision that it will not provide free meals to eligible school children during the summer holidays?

To ask the Minister for Climate Change

James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Water having its rating reduced by Natural Resources Wales?

To ask the Minister for Economy

Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside): Will the Minister make a statement on Monmouthshire Building Society’s decision to stand down from the Community Bank project?

Natasha Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on the closure of the Welsh Life Sciences Investment Fund, which has resulted in £27.1m written off in its 2022-23 accounts?

The item started at 15.16

Answered by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language

Sioned Williams (South Wales West): Will the Minister make a statement on the Government's decision that it will not provide free meals to eligible school children during the summer holidays?

Answered by the Minister for Climate Change

James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Water having its rating reduced by Natural Resources Wales?

Answered by the Minister for Economy

Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside): Will the Minister make a statement on Monmouthshire Building Society’s decision to stand down from the Community Bank project?

Natasha Asghar (South Wales East): Will the Minister make a statement on the closure of the Welsh Life Sciences Investment Fund, which has resulted in £27.1m written off in the Development Bank of Wales's 2022-23 accounts

The item started at 16.08

Joel James made a statement on - Sophie Lisk representing Wales in athletics at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago (4-11 August).

NDM8329 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the engagement work undertaken by the Finance Committee regarding the Welsh Government's spending priorities for the 2024-25 budget, and further notes the representations made by participants at the following events:

a) a stakeholder event at Wrexham Glyndŵr University;

b) a workshop with Members from the Welsh Youth Parliament; and

c) citizen engagement focus groups.

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Finance Committee Summary Engagement Report

The item started at 16.09

NDM8329 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the engagement work undertaken by the Finance Committee regarding the Welsh Government's spending priorities for the 2024-25 budget, and further notes the representations made by participants at the following events:

a) a stakeholder event at Wrexham Glyndŵr University;

b) a workshop with Members from the Welsh Youth Parliament; and

c) citizen engagement focus groups.

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25: Finance Committee Summary Engagement Report

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8328 Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee titled Common Frameworks, which was laid in the Table Office on 12 May 2023.

The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 5 July 2023.

The item started at 17.10

NDM8328 Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee titled Common Frameworks, which was laid in the Table Office on 12 May 2023.

The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 5 July 2023.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8327 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Petitions Committee, ‘Supporting care experienced parents’, which was laid in the table office on 02 March 2023, and the report of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, ‘If not now, then when? Radical reform for care experienced children and young people’, which was laid in the table office on 24 May 2023.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the Petitions Committee report was laid in the Table Office on 14 June 2023 and the response to the Children Young People and Education Committee was laid on 5 July 2023.

Co-submitters

Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

The item started at 17.39

NDM8327 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Petitions Committee, ‘Supporting care experienced parents’, which was laid in the table office on 02 March 2023, and the report of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, ‘If not now, then when? Radical reform for care experienced children and young people’, which was laid in the table office on 24 May 2023.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the Petitions Committee report was laid in the Table Office on 14 June 2023 and the response to the Children Young People and Education Committee was laid on 5 July 2023.

Co-submitters

Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8326 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that:

a) the Crown Estate, at a UK level, recorded a net revenue profit of £442.6m in the financial year 2022-23; and

b) the value of the Crown Estate’s assets in Wales has increased considerably in recent years, reaching £603m at the end of the financial year 2021.

2. Believes that Wales’s net-zero goals could be realised more effectively if it had full control over its resources.    

3. Calls for the devolution of powers over the management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales.

Creating lasting and shared prosperity for the nation -The Crown Estate 

Wales Highlights 2020/21 - The Crown Estate

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete points 2 and 3 and replace with:

Welcomes the positive contribution of the Crown Estate towards tackling the climate emergency and increasing renewable energy production via the establishment of a world-leading offshore renewables sector.

Calls upon the Welsh Government to engage with the Crown Estate and other stakeholders to achieve its net-zero goals and deliver:

a hydrogen strategy for Wales;

a Welsh national marine development plan;

a national blue carbon recovery plan for Wales; and

support for small scale hydro projects.

The item started at 18.52

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8326 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that:

a) the Crown Estate, at a UK level, recorded a net revenue profit of £442.6m in the financial year 2022-23; and

b) the value of the Crown Estate’s assets in Wales has increased considerably in recent years, reaching £603m at the end of the financial year 2021.

2. Believes that Wales’s net-zero goals could be realised more effectively if it had full control over its resources.    

3. Calls for the devolution of powers over the management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales.

Creating lasting and shared prosperity for the nation -The Crown Estate 

Wales Highlights 2020/21 - The Crown Estate

The motion without amendment was agreed.

The item started at 1948

NNDM8338 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Sarah Murphy (Welsh Labour), Darren Millar (Welsh Conservatives) and Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru) as members of the Reform Bill Committee.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The item started at 19.49

NNDM8334 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Buffy Williams (Welsh Labour) as a member of the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee in place of Sarah Murphy (Welsh Labour).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The item started at 19.49

NNDM8332 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

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

Suspends 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 NDM8331 to be considered in Plenary on Wednesday, 12 July 2023.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8331 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: Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee’, laid in the Table Office on 5 July 2023.

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Orders to add new Standing Order 35, as set out in Annex A of the report of the Business Committee.

3. Notes that these changes are temporary, and will cease to have effect following a resolution of the Senedd that the Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee should cease to exist, or on the dissolution of this Senedd, whichever is sooner.

The item started at 19.50

NDM8331 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: Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee’, laid in the Table Office on 5 July 2023.

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Orders to add new Standing Order 35, as set out in Annex A of the report of the Business Committee.

3. Notes that these changes are temporary, and will cease to have effect following a resolution of the Senedd that the Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee should cease to exist, or on the dissolution of this Senedd, whichever is sooner.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The item started at 19.50

NDM8330 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

The importance of all Members of the Senedd learning CPR

The item started at 19.52

NDM8330 Russell George (Montgomeryshire)

The importance of all Members of the Senedd learning CPR