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. 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 14.19

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

 

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

Samuel Kurtz MS (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Welsh Government make a statement on the closure of Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire?

The item started at 15.20

Answered by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

Samuel Kurtz (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire): Will the Welsh Government make a statement on the closure of Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire?

 

The item started at 15.36

Rhun ap Iorwerth made a statement on – Paying tribute to Marged Esli.

Jane Dodds made a statement on - 40th Anniversary of Dolen Cymru Lesotho.

Elin Jones made a statement on – Paying tribute to Geraint Jarman.

NDM8734 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd

1. Notes:

a) the need for service providers to meet the needs of the deaf community;

b) that people with hearing loss are severely disadvantaged compared to people who have unaffected hearing;

c) that BSL is the preferred method of communication for many deaf people; and

d) concern about the decision by Qualifications Wales not to progress with a GCSE in sign language.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government:

a) to ensure that the disability rights taskforce specifically captures the issues and barriers that affect the lives of deaf people: and

b) to have a greater involvement with the deaf community to ascertain their needs.

Co-submitters

Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Supporters

Jane Dodds (Mid and West Wales)

Natasha Asghar (South Wales East)

Sioned Williams (South Wales West)

The item started at 15.41

NDM8734 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd

1. Notes:

a) the need for service providers to meet the needs of the deaf community;

b) that people with hearing loss are severely disadvantaged compared to people who have unaffected hearing;

c) that BSL is the preferred method of communication for many deaf people; and

d) concern about the decision by Qualifications Wales not to progress with a GCSE in sign language.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government:

a) to ensure that the disability rights taskforce specifically captures the issues and barriers that affect the lives of deaf people: and

b) to have a greater involvement with the deaf community to ascertain their needs.

Co-submitters

Mike Hedges (Swansea East)

Supporters

Jane Dodds (Mid and West Wales)

Natasha Asghar (South Wales East)

Sioned Williams (South Wales West)

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM8838 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the crucial role that councils play in delivering local public services and the funding challenges they face.

2. Notes that councils hold over £2 billion in usable reserves.

3. Regrets that the proposed average council tax rise in Wales for 2025-2026 financial year is 7.36 per cent.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) commission an independent review of the Welsh local government funding formula;

b) work with councils to use their usable reserves to keep council tax as low as possible;

c) require any council proposing a council tax rise of 5 per cent or more to hold a local referendum and obtain a yes vote before implementing the proposed rise;

d) reduce the bureaucracy of Welsh local government to make it more efficient;

e) coordinate with councils to ensure cross-council working and the sharing of resources and services, along with an increase in digitalisation where possible, to ensure efficient delivery of services and to cut costs; and

f) work with local government to develop a business-like culture to ensure effective use of tax-payer funding, whilst cutting waste and reducing spend on vanity projects.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Regrets:

a) that the proposed average council tax rise in Wales for 2025-2026 financial year is 7.36 per cent;

b) the impact of 14 years of austerity under the previous UK Conservative Government on the ability of councils to deliver public services; and

c) that the local government settlement for 2025-26 will leave local authorities having to consider substantial council tax rises and further cuts to public services.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) commission an independent review of the Welsh local government funding formula;

b) make urgent representations to the UK Government regarding the rise to national insurance contributions to reduce the burden on Welsh council finances; and

c) explore the feasibility of introducing a minimum funding floor as part of the local government settlement for 2026-27.

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

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes councils make decisions about council tax based on their local circumstances.

Welcomes the provision of a floor in the local government settlement at 3.8 per cent.

Notes that:

a) councils will receive more than £6 billion through the final local government settlement and £1.3 billion additional specific grants in 2025-26; and

b) local government and the Welsh Government jointly review and develop the funding formula so that it continues to be fit for purpose offering authorities both stability and responsiveness.

The item started at 16.39

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8838 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the crucial role that councils play in delivering local public services and the funding challenges they face.

2. Notes that councils hold over £2 billion in usable reserves.

3. Regrets that the proposed average council tax rise in Wales for 2025-2026 financial year is 7.36 per cent.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) commission an independent review of the Welsh local government funding formula;

b) work with councils to use their usable reserves to keep council tax as low as possible;

c) require any council proposing a council tax rise of 5 per cent or more to hold a local referendum and obtain a yes vote before implementing the proposed rise;

d) reduce the bureaucracy of Welsh local government to make it more efficient;

e) coordinate with councils to ensure cross-council working and the sharing of resources and services, along with an increase in digitalisation where possible, to ensure efficient delivery of services and to cut costs; and

f) work with local government to develop a business-like culture to ensure effective use of tax-payer funding, whilst cutting waste and reducing spend on vanity projects.

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 after point 1 and replace with:

Regrets:

a) that the proposed average council tax rise in Wales for 2025-2026 financial year is 7.36 per cent;

b) the impact of 14 years of austerity under the previous UK Conservative Government on the ability of councils to deliver public services; and

c) that the local government settlement for 2025-26 will leave local authorities having to consider substantial council tax rises and further cuts to public services.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) commission an independent review of the Welsh local government funding formula;

b) make urgent representations to the UK Government regarding the rise to national insurance contributions to reduce the burden on Welsh council finances; and

c) explore the feasibility of introducing a minimum funding floor as part of the local government settlement for 2026-27.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	40	51

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes councils make decisions about council tax based on their local circumstances.

Welcomes the provision of a floor in the local government settlement at 3.8 per cent.

Notes that:

a) councils will receive more than £6 billion through the final local government settlement and £1.3 billion additional specific grants in 2025-26; and

b) local government and the Welsh Government jointly review and develop the funding formula so that it continues to be fit for purpose offering authorities both stability and responsiveness.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	0	25	41

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the crucial role that councils play in delivering local public services and the funding challenges they face.

2. Notes that councils hold over £2 billion in usable reserves.

3. Notes councils make decisions about council tax based on their local circumstances.

4. Welcomes the provision of a floor in the local government settlement at 3.8 per cent.

5. Notes that:

a) councils will receive more than £6 billion through the final local government settlement and £1.3 billion additional specific grants in 2025-26; and

b) local government and the Welsh Government jointly review and develop the funding formula so that it continues to be fit for purpose offering authorities both stability and responsiveness.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	0	25	51

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM8832 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government that they reconsider and pause the family farm tax until such a time as they have conducted a thorough consultation and economic review of its impact on working farms.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with: 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes that agricultural property relief is a reserved matter;  

2. Recognises the concerns expressed by Welsh farmers about changes to agricultural property relief; and  

3. Recognises that Welsh Ministers have and will continue to advocate to the UK Government that the views of Welsh farmers be given full and proper consideration.

The item started at 17.42

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8832 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Calls on the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government that they reconsider and pause the family farm tax until such a time as they have conducted a thorough consultation and economic review of its impact on working farms.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	26	51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with: 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes that agricultural property relief is a reserved matter;  

2. Recognises the concerns expressed by Welsh farmers about changes to agricultural property relief; and  

3. Recognises that Welsh Ministers have and will continue to advocate to the UK Government that the views of Welsh farmers be given full and proper consideration.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	0	25	51

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that agricultural property relief is a reserved matter;  

2. Recognises the concerns expressed by Welsh farmers about changes to agricultural property relief; and  

3. Recognises that Welsh Ministers have and will continue to advocate to the UK Government that the views of Welsh farmers be given full and proper consideration.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	11	14	51

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 18.43

NDM8828 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

A little less conversation, a little more action please: the time and tools to accelerate action to end sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

The item started at 18.47

NDM8828 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

A little less conversation, a little more action please: the time and tools to accelerate action to end sexual harassment in the workplace.