Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in Siambr Hywel and others joining by video-conference.

The item started at 13.30

The Presiding Officer invited nominations for the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee in accordance with Standing Order 17.2F. 

Paul Davies nominated Peter Fox. 

As there were no further nominations and no objections the Presiding Officer declared Peter Fox elected as Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee.

 

The item started at 13.31

The proposal under Standing Orders 12.24 and 12.40 to group the following motions for debate and for voting was agreed.

NNDM8892 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Samuel Kurtz (Welsh Conservatives) in place of Laura Anne Jones (Welsh Conservatives) as a member of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee.

NNDM8893 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Tom Giffard (Welsh Conservatives) in place of Samuel Kurtz (Welsh Conservatives) as a member of the Standards of Conduct Committee.

The motions were agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

The Presiding Officer will call Party Leaders to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.
View Questions

The item started at 13.32

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

 

The Presiding Officer will call Party Leaders to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.
View Questions

 

The item started at 14.18

The first 9 questions were asked. Questions 1 and 4 were grouped together for answer. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

 

View Questions

The item started at 15.07

The one tabled question was asked.

 

To be answered by Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on plans for job cuts at the Dow site in Barry?

The item started at 15.12

Answered by the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership

Andrew RT Davies (Souith Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on plans for job cuts at the Dow site in Barry?

 

The item started at 15.19

Russell George made a statement on - Robert Owen Utopian Legacy exhibition at Newtown Library (1 May) 

Jane Dodds made a statement on - National Stalking Awareness Week: highlight stalking victims and stalking as a public health issue (21 to 27 April).

Llyr Gruffydd made a statement on - The success of jockey Sean Bowen from Wales.

 

NDM8806 Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on the incorporation of minimum safe staffing levels of NHS commissioned dentists into Welsh law.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) establish a minimum national baseline of dentistry staff across Wales, based on the oral health needs of the population;

b) introduce a duty for local health boards and trusts in Wales to calculate and take all reasonable steps to maintain dentistry staffing levels and inform patients of the level;

c) place a duty on Welsh Ministers and public authorities to progressively realise the right of all Welsh citizens to access NHS commissioned dentistry services;

d) place a duty on Welsh Ministers to develop a workforce plan to support and sustain the NHS dentistry profession in Wales; and

e) place a duty on Welsh Ministers to publish yearly progress reports on said plan, as well as accompanying statements in the Senedd.

Supporters

Jane Dodds (Mid and West Wales)

Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

Sioned Williams (South Wales West)

 

The item started at 15.25

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

NDM8806 Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on the incorporation of minimum safe staffing levels of NHS commissioned dentists into Welsh law.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) establish a minimum national baseline of dentistry staff across Wales, based on the oral health needs of the population;

b) introduce a duty for local health boards and trusts in Wales to calculate and take all reasonable steps to maintain dentistry staffing levels and inform patients of the level;

c) place a duty on Welsh Ministers and public authorities to progressively realise the right of all Welsh citizens to access NHS commissioned dentistry services;

d) place a duty on Welsh Ministers to develop a workforce plan to support and sustain the NHS dentistry profession in Wales; and

e) place a duty on Welsh Ministers to publish yearly progress reports on said plan, as well as accompanying statements in the Senedd.

Supporters

Jane Dodds (Mid and West Wales)

Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

Sioned Williams (South Wales West)

 

The result was as follows:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
28	17	2	47

The motion was agreed.

 

 

NDM8883 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee – Twentieth Report to the Sixth Senedd laid before the Senedd on 23 April 2025 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report.

 

The item started at 15.44

NDM8883 Hannah Blythyn (Delyn)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the Report of the Standards of Conduct Committee – Twentieth Report to the Sixth Senedd laid before the Senedd on 23 April 2025 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.

 

At 15.52 the Llywydd suspended the meeting for 4 minutes. The meeting reconvened at 15.56

NDM8882 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Health and Social Care Committee report ‘Supporting people with chronic conditions’ that was laid on 29 January 2025.

Notes: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 15 April 2025.

 

The item started at 15.56

NDM8882 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Health and Social Care Committee report ‘Supporting people with chronic conditions’ that was laid on 29 January 2025.

Notes: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 15 April 2025.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

NDM8881 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the increasing lack of discipline in Welsh schools and the detrimental impact this has on the learning environment, with the Welsh Government’s own data showing the number of secondary school pupils who received fixed term exclusions tripling from 2015-16 to 2022-23.

2. Regrets that physical assaults on teachers and knife attacks in Welsh schools are at their highest ever levels.

3. Recognises there has been a breakdown in the relationship between parents and teachers since the Covid-19 pandemic.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement a robust strategy to improve discipline and behaviour management in schools; and

b) ensure exclusion from schools and pupil referral units guidance, issued by the Welsh Government, is updated to ensure those carrying a weapon are excluded.

The following amendments were tabled:   

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the increase in challenging behaviour by learners in schools in Wales and the detrimental impact this has on the learning environment, with the Welsh Government’s own data showing the number of secondary school pupils who received fixed term exclusions tripling from 2015-16 to 2022-23.

2. Regrets that physical assaults on teachers and knife attacks in schools in Wales are at their highest levels ever.

3. Recognises the need to forge better relationships between parents and schools to improve the behaviour and attendance of pupils.

4. Recognises the significant impact of social media on student behaviour, including the exacerbation of bullying, misogyny, and racism.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement a robust strategy to improve discipline, behaviour management and violence prevention within schools;

b) develop policies for managing the negative influence of social media and addressing disruptive online behaviour;

c) adequately resource Pupil Referral Units with necessary staff, facilities, and support services for vulnerable students, enabling them to reintegrate into mainstream education; and

d) ensure that all schools are equipped to effectively manage disruptive behaviour and ensure the safety and well-being of both staff and students by considering additional funding for recruiting behaviour support officers, mental health professionals, and improving school security measures.

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.    Regrets the increasing challenge posed by learner behaviour in schools, as reflected in data published by the Welsh Government and by trade unions.

2.   Notes that any form of violence or abuse in schools is completely unacceptable, and that possession of a weapon is already grounds for exclusion.

3.   Believes that schools alone cannot solve the range of challenges faced by children, young people and families since the Covid-19 pandemic.

4.   Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) continue to identify actions to address these issues through its ongoing programme of work on behaviour, including the behaviour survey, the behaviour summit and the violence in schools roundtable; and

b) continue to work with partners including schools, local authorities, trade unions and parents, to make progress on these issues urgently.

 

The item started at 16.33

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8881 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the increasing lack of discipline in Welsh schools and the detrimental impact this has on the learning environment, with the Welsh Government’s own data showing the number of secondary school pupils who received fixed term exclusions tripling from 2015-16 to 2022-23.

2. Regrets that physical assaults on teachers and knife attacks in Welsh schools are at their highest ever levels.

3. Recognises there has been a breakdown in the relationship between parents and teachers since the Covid-19 pandemic.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement a robust strategy to improve discipline and behaviour management in schools; and

b) ensure exclusion from schools and pupil referral units guidance, issued by the Welsh Government, is updated to ensure those carrying a weapon are excluded.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
13	0	35	48

The motion without amendment 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 the increase in challenging behaviour by learners in schools in Wales and the detrimental impact this has on the learning environment, with the Welsh Government’s own data showing the number of secondary school pupils who received fixed term exclusions tripling from 2015-16 to 2022-23.

2. Regrets that physical assaults on teachers and knife attacks in schools in Wales are at their highest levels ever.

3. Recognises the need to forge better relationships between parents and schools to improve the behaviour and attendance of pupils.

4. Recognises the significant impact of social media on student behaviour, including the exacerbation of bullying, misogyny, and racism.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement a robust strategy to improve discipline, behaviour management and violence prevention within schools;

b) develop policies for managing the negative influence of social media and addressing disruptive online behaviour;

c) adequately resource Pupil Referral Units with necessary staff, facilities, and support services for vulnerable students, enabling them to reintegrate into mainstream education; and

d) ensure that all schools are equipped to effectively manage disruptive behaviour and ensure the safety and well-being of both staff and students by considering additional funding for recruiting behaviour support officers, mental health professionals, and improving school security measures.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	38	48

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1.    Regrets the increasing challenge posed by learner behaviour in schools, as reflected in data published by the Welsh Government and by trade unions.

2.   Notes that any form of violence or abuse in schools is completely unacceptable, and that possession of a weapon is already grounds for exclusion.

3.   Believes that schools alone cannot solve the range of challenges faced by children, young people and families since the Covid-19 pandemic.

4.   Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) continue to identify actions to address these issues through its ongoing programme of work on behaviour, including the behaviour survey, the behaviour summit and the violence in schools roundtable; and

b) continue to work with partners including schools, local authorities, trade unions and parents, to make progress on these issues urgently.

 

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	10	13	48

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1.    Regrets the increasing challenge posed by learner behaviour in schools, as reflected in data published by the Welsh Government and by trade unions.

2.   Notes that any form of violence or abuse in schools is completely unacceptable, and that possession of a weapon is already grounds for exclusion.

3.   Believes that schools alone cannot solve the range of challenges faced by children, young people and families since the Covid-19 pandemic.

4.   Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) continue to identify actions to address these issues through its ongoing programme of work on behaviour, including the behaviour survey, the behaviour summit and the violence in schools roundtable; and

b) continue to work with partners including schools, local authorities, trade unions and parents, to make progress on these issues urgently.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	10	13	48

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

The item started at 17.29

 

NDM8877 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

19th century schools in 21st century cities

 

The item started at 17.34

NDM8877 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

19th century schools in 21st century cities