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

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 4 and 7-8 were answered by the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary 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 14.26

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 3 and 6-7 were answered by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

 

No topical questions were accepted

No Topical Questions were accepted

 

The item started at 15.20

Julie Morgan made a statement on - Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, and Claire’s Campaign (September).

Sioned Williams made a statement on - 40 years of Theatr na nÓg.

Llyr Gruffydd made a statement on - Tribute to Ryan Evans from Wrexham, who was killed in a missile attack in Ukraine.

NDM8662 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: Standing Order 29.1 (Consent in relation to UK Parliament Bills)’, laid in the Table Office on 18 September 2024.

2. Approves the proposal to amend Standing Order 29.1, as set out in Annex A of the Business Committee’s report.

The item started at 15.25

NDM8662 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: Standing Order 29.1 (Consent in relation to UK Parliament Bills)’, laid in the Table Office on 18 September 2024.

2. Approves the proposal to amend Standing Order 29.1, as set out in Annex A of the Business Committee’s report.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM8661 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Fourteenth Report to the Sixth Senedd laid before the Senedd on 18 September 2024 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report.

The item started at 15.26

NDM8661 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Fourteenth Report to the Sixth Senedd laid before the Senedd on 18 September 2024 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM8667 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the default 20mph speed limit has been in place in Wales for over one year.

2. Notes:

a) the 469,571 signatories to the Senedd petition: 'We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law';

b) the Welsh Government’s own Explanatory Memorandum to The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 which identified an economic dis-benefit of up to £8.9 billion arising from longer journey times associated with the default 20mph speed limit policy;

c) the former Deputy Minister for Transport’s comments that ‘more common sense’ should have been used when implementing Wales’s 20mph speed limit;

d) Transport for Wales’s air quality monitoring report wherein half of tested areas saw rises in nitrogen dioxide levels inside 20mph zones compared with outside; and

e) Welsh local authorities have received requests for thousands of roads to revert from 20mph to 30mph.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) repeal the default 20mph speed limit; and

b) work with Welsh local authorities to deliver a targeted approach to 20mph speed limits with the consent of local people.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd

1. Notes:

a) the default speed limit of 20mph has been in place in Wales for over a year; and

b) the previous cross-party support of the Senedd for the introduction of speed limits of 20mph in Wales and the presence of similar plans in councils run by the Conservatives in England.

2. Believes that, when implemented appropriately and rationally, 20mph speed limits have a useful role in making communities safer and reducing the pressure on the NHS.

3. Regrets the delay by the Welsh Government in acting on the Plaid Cymru amendment supported by the Senedd, which would have immediately empowered communities to review and make further exceptions as well as review the guidelines for local authorities.

4. Recognises the strength of feelings on this issue as a result of inconsistent action, engagement and communication regarding the changes.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to work closely with local authorities to ensure that the current review addresses the justified concerns, and that it is adequately resourced.

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

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1.     Recognises the default 20mph speed limit has been in place in Wales for over one year.

2.     Notes:

a)    the significant reduction in collisions and casualties since the limit was introduced; and

b)    the 469,571 signatories to the Senedd petition: 'We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law';

c)     the comprehensive listening programme carried out over the summer, engaging with people, business and communities across Wales as well as key stakeholders;

d)    that ongoing monitoring and evaluation will evidence the economic, health and environmental impacts of the policy;

e)    Transport for Wales’s phase 1 air quality monitoring report published in May 2024 showed no material effect on local air quality to date; and

f)      the support the Welsh Government is providing to Welsh local authorities that have received requests for roads to revert to 30mph.

3.     Calls on the Welsh Government to continue supporting Welsh local authorities to deliver a targeted approach to 20mph speed limits, ensuring the limit is applied to the right roads where people live, work and play.

The item started at 15.32

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8667 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the default 20mph speed limit has been in place in Wales for over one year.

2. Notes:

a) the 469,571 signatories to the Senedd petition: 'We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law';

b) the Welsh Government’s own Explanatory Memorandum to The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 which identified an economic dis-benefit of up to £8.9 billion arising from longer journey times associated with the default 20mph speed limit policy;

c) the former Deputy Minister for Transport’s comments that ‘more common sense’ should have been used when implementing Wales’s 20mph speed limit;

d) Transport for Wales’s air quality monitoring report wherein half of tested areas saw rises in nitrogen dioxide levels inside 20mph zones compared with outside; and

e) Welsh local authorities have received requests for thousands of roads to revert from 20mph to 30mph.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) repeal the default 20mph speed limit; and

b) work with Welsh local authorities to deliver a targeted approach to 20mph speed limits with the consent of local people.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	37	51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd

1. Notes:

a) the default speed limit of 20mph has been in place in Wales for over a year; and

b) the previous cross-party support of the Senedd for the introduction of speed limits of 20mph in Wales and the presence of similar plans in councils run by the Conservatives in England.

2. Believes that, when implemented appropriately and rationally, 20mph speed limits have a useful role in making communities safer and reducing the pressure on the NHS.

3. Regrets the delay by the Welsh Government in acting on the Plaid Cymru amendment supported by the Senedd, which would have immediately empowered communities to review and make further exceptions as well as review the guidelines for local authorities.

4. Recognises the strength of feelings on this issue as a result of inconsistent action, engagement and communication regarding the changes.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to work closely with local authorities to ensure that the current review addresses the justified concerns, and that it is adequately resourced.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	41	51

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1.     Recognises the default 20mph speed limit has been in place in Wales for over one year.

2.     Notes:

a)    the significant reduction in collisions and casualties since the limit was introduced; and

b)    the 469,571 signatories to the Senedd petition: 'We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law';

c)     the comprehensive listening programme carried out over the summer, engaging with people, business and communities across Wales as well as key stakeholders;

d)    that ongoing monitoring and evaluation will evidence the economic, health and environmental impacts of the policy;

e)    Transport for Wales’s phase 1 air quality monitoring report published in May 2024 showed no material effect on local air quality to date; and

f)      the support the Welsh Government is providing to Welsh local authorities that have received requests for roads to revert to 30mph.

3.     Calls on the Welsh Government to continue supporting Welsh local authorities to deliver a targeted approach to 20mph speed limits, ensuring the limit is applied to the right roads where people live, work and play.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	24	51

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1.     Recognises the default 20mph speed limit has been in place in Wales for over one year.

2.     Notes:

a)    the significant reduction in collisions and casualties since the limit was introduced; and

b)    the 469,571 signatories to the Senedd petition: 'We want the Welsh Government to rescind and remove the disastrous 20mph law';

c)     the comprehensive listening programme carried out over the summer, engaging with people, business and communities across Wales as well as key stakeholders;

d)    that ongoing monitoring and evaluation will evidence the economic, health and environmental impacts of the policy;

e)    Transport for Wales’s phase 1 air quality monitoring report published in May 2024 showed no material effect on local air quality to date; and

f)      the support the Welsh Government is providing to Welsh local authorities that have received requests for roads to revert to 30mph.

3.     Calls on the Welsh Government to continue supporting Welsh local authorities to deliver a targeted approach to 20mph speed limits, ensuring the limit is applied to the right roads where people live, work and play.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	24	51

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

NDM8665 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Welsh Government's statement of priorities.

2. Regrets:

a) that after 25 years in government, the latest Welsh Labour Government could not identify the priorities of the people of Wales without conducting the 'listening exercise' initiated by the First Minister; and

b) that any milestones, targets and delivery dates are absent from the First Minister's statement of priorities.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) set a timetable for reducing NHS waiting lists;

b) publish a delivery plan based on the range of 'people’s priorities', including, but not limited to, milestones, targets, and delivery dates;

c) introduce an updated Programme for Government and Legislative Programme; and

d) honour its 'partnership in power' principle by using all intergovernmental channels to press on the UK Government for fair funding, devolution of the Crown Estate and the full devolution of justice.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Welsh Government's statement of priorities.

2. Supports the Government’s focus on the people’s priorities and endorses the priorities as set out by the First Minister.

3. Further notes the First Minster’s commitment to set out in due course further detail of how the priorities will be delivered.

4. Commends the Government’s commitment to:

a) iechyd da - Cutting NHS waiting times, including for mental health, bettering access to social care, and improving services for women’s health;

b) green jobs and growth – creating green jobs to make families better off, tackle the climate crisis and protect nature, and accelerating planning decisions to grow our Welsh economy;

c) opportunity for every family - boosting standards in our schools and colleges, and providing more homes for social rent; and

d) connecting communities - transforming our railway and delivering a better bus network, fixing our roads, and empowering local communities to make choices on 20mph.

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

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Insert new sub-point at end of point 2:

that the Welsh Government is not listening to the hundreds of thousands of pensioners in Wales who will be adversely affected by UK Government cuts in winter fuel payments;

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete sub-point 3(d) and replace with:

honour its 'partnership in power' principle by using all intergovernmental channels to press on the UK Government for consequentials from HS2 for Wales and to proceed with the electrification of the north Wales main line;

The item started at 16.37

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8665 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Welsh Government's statement of priorities.

2. Regrets:

a) that after 25 years in government, the latest Welsh Labour Government could not identify the priorities of the people of Wales without conducting the 'listening exercise' initiated by the First Minister; and

b) that any milestones, targets and delivery dates are absent from the First Minister's statement of priorities.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) set a timetable for reducing NHS waiting lists;

b) publish a delivery plan based on the range of 'people’s priorities', including, but not limited to, milestones, targets, and delivery dates;

c) introduce an updated Programme for Government and Legislative Programme; and

d) honour its 'partnership in power' principle by using all intergovernmental channels to press on the UK Government for fair funding, devolution of the Crown Estate and the full devolution of justice.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	41	51

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. Notes the Welsh Government's statement of priorities.

2. Supports the Government’s focus on the people’s priorities and endorses the priorities as set out by the First Minister.

3. Further notes the First Minster’s commitment to set out in due course further detail of how the priorities will be delivered.

4. Commends the Government’s commitment to:

a) iechyd da - Cutting NHS waiting times, including for mental health, bettering access to social care, and improving services for women’s health;

b) green jobs and growth – creating green jobs to make families better off, tackle the climate crisis and protect nature, and accelerating planning decisions to grow our Welsh economy;

c) opportunity for every family - boosting standards in our schools and colleges, and providing more homes for social rent; and

d) connecting communities - transforming our railway and delivering a better bus network, fixing our roads, and empowering local communities to make choices on 20mph.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	24	51

Amendment 1 was agreed.

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

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the Welsh Government's statement of priorities.

2. Supports the Government’s focus on the people’s priorities and endorses the priorities as set out by the First Minister.

3. Further notes the First Minster’s commitment to set out in due course further detail of how the priorities will be delivered.

4. Commends the Government’s commitment to:

a) iechyd da - Cutting NHS waiting times, including for mental health, bettering access to social care, and improving services for women’s health;

b) green jobs and growth – creating green jobs to make families better off, tackle the climate crisis and protect nature, and accelerating planning decisions to grow our Welsh economy;

c) opportunity for every family - boosting standards in our schools and colleges, and providing more homes for social rent; and

d) connecting communities - transforming our railway and delivering a better bus network, fixing our roads, and empowering local communities to make choices on 20mph.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	24	51

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

The item started at 17.31

 

NDM8657 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

It’s the economy stupid!: how can devolution make it work for workers and Wales?

The item started at 17.37

NDM8657 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

It’s the economy stupid!: how can devolution make it work for workers and Wales?