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 1 and 5 were answered by the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary and Minister after question 2.

The Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing and Minister for Children and Social Care will answer questions on the Cabinet Secretary’s behalf.

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

View Questions

The item started at 14.19

The Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing and Minister for Children and Social Care answered questions on the Cabinet Secretary’s behalf.

Questions 1-4 and 6 –9 were asked. Question 5 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Ministers after question 2.

No topical questions were accepted

No topical questions were accepted

The item started at 15.16

Alun Davies made a statement on - Tribute to Lord Keith Brookman, of Ebbw Vale.

Mabon ap Gwynfor made a statement on - Social enterprise Y Dref Werdd in Blaenau Ffestiniog, which has succeeded in obtaining funding from the Lottery to run its community programmes.

NDM8814 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that:

a) despite the abundance of quality food produced by Welsh farmers, the dominance of ultra-processed food in our diets has devastating consequences for the health, wealth and well-being of our nation;

b) access to affordable, healthy food is a social justice issue, with poorer communities disproportionately affected by diet-related illnesses;

c) Welsh production of 20,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables a year is only equivalent to a quarter of a portion of fruit and vegetables a day per person;

d) expanding sustainable local food production can help reduce food miles, improve food security, and create green jobs in Wales; and

e) the transition to a sustainable food nation requires a joined up, collaborative, preventative approach in line with the well-being of future generations Act.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop a holistic, joined up government strategy to improve people’s diets;

b) promote the benefits of fresh, unprocessed food to encourage dietary shifts and tackle the dominance of ultra-processed foods;

c) use the welcome investment in local food partnerships to bring together growers, caterers and eaters to expand Welsh horticulture;

d) accelerate work to produce a community food strategy within the Sixth Senedd; and

e) use the power of public procurement to improve the food served to pupils, patients and people living in care homes.

Co-submitters

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

Peter Fox (Monmouth)

Supporters

James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

Lee Waters (Llanelli)

Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Samuel Kurtz (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire)

The item started at 15.19

NDM8814 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that:

a) despite the abundance of quality food produced by Welsh farmers, the dominance of ultra-processed food in our diets has devastating consequences for the health, wealth and well-being of our nation;

b) access to affordable, healthy food is a social justice issue, with poorer communities disproportionately affected by diet-related illnesses;

c) Welsh production of 20,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables a year is only equivalent to a quarter of a portion of fruit and vegetables a day per person;

d) expanding sustainable local food production can help reduce food miles, improve food security, and create green jobs in Wales; and

e) the transition to a sustainable food nation requires a joined up, collaborative, preventative approach in line with the well-being of future generations Act.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) develop a holistic, joined up government strategy to improve people’s diets;

b) promote the benefits of fresh, unprocessed food to encourage dietary shifts and tackle the dominance of ultra-processed foods;

c) use the welcome investment in local food partnerships to bring together growers, caterers and eaters to expand Welsh horticulture;

d) accelerate work to produce a community food strategy within the Sixth Senedd; and

e) use the power of public procurement to improve the food served to pupils, patients and people living in care homes.

Co-submitters

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

Peter Fox (Monmouth)

Supporters

James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)

Lee Waters (Llanelli)

Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Samuel Kurtz (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire)

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8822 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee ‘Culture shock: Culture and the new relationship with the European Union’, which was laid in the Table Office on 6 November 2024.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 5 February 2025.

The item started at 16.15

NDM8822 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee ‘Culture shock: Culture and the new relationship with the European Union’, which was laid in the Table Office on 6 November 2024.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 5 February 2025.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8821 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to commission an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd

1. Condemns the institutional failings that led to the neglect and underreporting of instances of child abuse over several decades, as found in Professor Alexis Jay’s independent inquiry of 2022.

2. Commends the bravery of the victims and survivors for sharing their testimonies, and believes their voices should always take precedence in the course of reviewing and strengthening relevant safeguards.

3. Recognises recent public concern regarding sexual violence and abuse by organised networks.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement all recommendations of the Jay Report without delay;

b) engage with all organisations on the frontline serving victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse;

c) work with Welsh police forces to conduct an immediate all-Wales audit, with appropriate independent oversight, and ensure co-operation with the UK-wide audit led by Baroness Casey into the scale and nature of gang-based exploitation; and

d) consider commissioning a full independent inquiry in light of the evidence gathered by the audit.

The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

The item started at 17.04

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8821 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to commission an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd

1. Condemns the institutional failings that led to the neglect and underreporting of instances of child abuse over several decades, as found in Professor Alexis Jay’s independent inquiry of 2022.

2. Commends the bravery of the victims and survivors for sharing their testimonies, and believes their voices should always take precedence in the course of reviewing and strengthening relevant safeguards.

3. Recognises recent public concern regarding sexual violence and abuse by organised networks.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement all recommendations of the Jay Report without delay;

b) engage with all organisations on the frontline serving victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse;

c) work with Welsh police forces to conduct an immediate all-Wales audit, with appropriate independent oversight, and ensure co-operation with the UK-wide audit led by Baroness Casey into the scale and nature of gang-based exploitation; and

d) consider commissioning a full independent inquiry in light of the evidence gathered by the audit.

The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Condemns the institutional failings that led to the neglect and underreporting of instances of child abuse over several decades, as found in Professor Alexis Jay’s independent inquiry of 2022.

2. Commends the bravery of the victims and survivors for sharing their testimonies, and believes their voices should always take precedence in the course of reviewing and strengthening relevant safeguards.

3. Recognises recent public concern regarding sexual violence and abuse by organised networks.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement all recommendations of the Jay Report without delay;

b) engage with all organisations on the frontline serving victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse;

c) work with Welsh police forces to conduct an immediate all-Wales audit, with appropriate independent oversight, and ensure co-operation with the UK-wide audit led by Baroness Casey into the scale and nature of gang-based exploitation; and

d) consider commissioning a full independent inquiry in light of the evidence gathered by the audit.

The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 17.55

NDM8810 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

Cut the chase - the case for banning greyhound racing in Wales.

The item started at 17.58

NDM8810 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

Cut the chase - the case for banning greyhound racing in Wales.