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 Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

Questions 1-6 and 8-9 were asked. Questions 1 and 9 were grouped together for answer. Question 7 was withdrawn. 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 Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.18

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

View Questions

The item started at 15.03

All 6 questions were asked.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionydd)

Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement following the publication of the report on the Infected Blood Inquiry?

 

To ask the First Minister

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central)

Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru ending?

 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the UK Government about designating Wylfa as the preferred site for developing a nuclear power station?

The item started at 15.32

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care

Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionydd)

Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement following the publication of the report on the Infected Blood Inquiry?

 To ask the First Minister

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central)

Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru ending?

 To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the UK Government about designating Wylfa as the preferred site for developing a nuclear power station?

The item started at 16.08

Peredur Owen Griffiths: 200 years of Capel y Berthen, Lixwm

Rhys ab Owen: Owen John Thomas, former Member of the Welsh Assembly (1999-2007):  paying tribute to his late father Owen John, who died on 14th May 2024

Cefin Campbell: wishing the Urdd Eisteddfod all the best while it is held in Meifod, Montgomeryshire next week.

James Evans: Senedd Dog of the Year Competition. Inaugural event organised by The Kennel Club and Dogs Trust.

NDM8580 Sioned Williams (South Wales West)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes a proposal for a political education bill.

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

a) ensure that all learners in schools and colleges in Wales receive specific education relating to Welsh politics and democracy;

b) require all schools and colleges ensure learners understand the importance of civic engagement in the Welsh democratic process; and

c) ensure that 16 and 17 year-olds feel more confident and knowledgeable about elections and the purpose and process of casting their vote.

The item started at 16.16

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

NDM8580 Sioned Williams (South Wales West)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes a proposal for a political education bill.

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

a) ensure that all learners in schools and colleges in Wales receive specific education relating to Welsh politics and democracy;

b) require all schools and colleges ensure learners understand the importance of civic engagement in the Welsh democratic process; and

c) ensure that 16 and 17 year-olds feel more confident and knowledgeable about elections and the purpose and process of casting their vote.

The result was as follows:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	30	4	46

The motion was agreed.

 

NDM8587 Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition ‘P-06-1407 We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law’ which received 469,571 signatures.

The item started at 16.40

NDM8587 Jack Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the petition ‘P-06-1407 We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law’ which received 469,571 signatures.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8589 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that the tourism sector makes to Wales, accounting for over 150,000 jobs and 5 per cent of GDP.

2. Regrets that Wales’s tourism sector still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to support Wales’s tourism sector by:

a) freeing Welsh tourism by making Visit Wales independent;

b) scrapping the tourism tax;

c) reducing the 182-day occupancy threshold to 105 days;

d) introducing a tourism and hospitality academy to upskill the sector for the future; and

e) proactively capitalising on major events.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that the tourism sector makes to Wales.

2. Regrets that Wales’s tourism sector still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

3. Notes the Welsh Government’s support to the sector and the commitment to working with the sector and local authorities to:

a) introduce a visitor levy should they choose to, subject to consultation;

b) maintain the discretionary powers and guidance on council tax and second homes;

c) explore a tourism and hospitality academy to upskill the sector for the future; and

d) proactively capitalise on major events.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2, 3 and 4 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Notes the effect of cost increases on businesses, as well as the effect that the cost-of-living crisis has had on expenditure by tourists in Wales.

Amendment 3 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

In point 3, delete sub-points (b) and (c).

Amendment 4 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

In sub-point (e) in point 3, after 'major events', insert 'by promoting events which are of cultural and economic benefit to Wales'.

The item started at 17.48

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8589 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that the tourism sector makes to Wales, accounting for over 150,000 jobs and 5 per cent of GDP.

2. Regrets that Wales’s tourism sector still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to support Wales’s tourism sector by:

a) freeing Welsh tourism by making Visit Wales independent;

b) scrapping the tourism tax;

c) reducing the 182-day occupancy threshold to 105 days;

d) introducing a tourism and hospitality academy to upskill the sector for the future; and

e) proactively capitalising on major events.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
13	0	33	46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that the tourism sector makes to Wales.

2. Regrets that Wales’s tourism sector still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

3. Notes the Welsh Government’s support to the sector and the commitment to working with the sector and local authorities to:

a) introduce a visitor levy should they choose to, subject to consultation;

b) maintain the discretionary powers and guidance on council tax and second homes;

c) explore a tourism and hospitality academy to upskill the sector for the future; and

d) proactively capitalise on major events.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	22	46

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2, 3 and 4 were de-selected.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM8589 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the vital contribution that the tourism sector makes to Wales.

2. Regrets that Wales’s tourism sector still hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

3. Notes the Welsh Government’s support to the sector and the commitment to working with the sector and local authorities to:

a) introduce a visitor levy should they choose to, subject to consultation;

b) maintain the discretionary powers and guidance on council tax and second homes;

c) explore a tourism and hospitality academy to upskill the sector for the future; and

d) proactively capitalise on major events.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
24	0	22	46

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

The item started at 18.48

 

NDM8588 Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales)

A construction skills system fit for the future.

The item started at 18.53

NDM8588 Joyce Watson (Mid and West Wales)

A construction skills system fit for the future.