Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 25(v4) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 13/10/2021 - Plenary

Items
Expected timing No. Item

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

 

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

 

View Questions

Minutes:

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.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

 

View Questions

 

Minutes:

The item started at 14.17

Questions 1–2 and 4–10 were asked. Question 3 was not asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

(0 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

No Topical Questions were accepted.

Minutes:

No Topical Questions were accepted.

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.02

Huw Irranca-Davies made a statement on The Cross Party Group on Active Travel’s launch of the ‘Active Travel to School Kit’.

Cefin Campbell made a statement on Congratulating the Welsh darts player, Jonny Clayton, who succeeded in winning the ‘World Grand Prix’ championship over the weekend.

Altaf Hussain made a statement on Supporting World Arthritis Day.

(5mins)

Motion to elect a Member to a committee

The item started at 15.08

NDM7804 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Alun Davies (Welsh Labour) as a Member of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee in place of Jayne Bryant (Welsh Labour).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.08 the meeting was suspended by the Presiding Officer.

(60 mins)

5.

Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) - Community benefits of energy projects

NDM7794 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the importance of renewable energy in efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

2. Agrees that there is a need to ensure that energy developments bring benefits to the communities in which they are located.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government, either through regulations or new legislation to insist that developers of energy projects must prove the community benefits of their proposed developments by having to conduct community impact assessments and present a community-benefit plan as part of the planning process.

Supporters

Adam Price

Altaf Hussain

Delyth Jewell

Heledd Fychan

Janet Finch-Saunders

Luke Fletcher

Sioned Williams

Tom Giffard

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.19

NDM7794 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the importance of renewable energy in efforts to reduce our carbon footprint.

2. Agrees that there is a need to ensure that energy developments bring benefits to the communities in which they are located.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government, either through regulations or new legislation to insist that developers of energy projects must prove the community benefits of their proposed developments by having to conduct community impact assessments and present a community-benefit plan as part of the planning process.

Supporters

Adam Price

Altaf Hussain

Delyth Jewell

Heledd Fychan

Janet Finch-Saunders

Luke Fletcher

Sioned Williams

Tom Giffard

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(60 mins)

6.

Plaid Cymru debate - The energy sector and the climate and nature emergencies

NDM7803 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the Senedd’s declaration of both a climate emergency in 2019, and a nature emergency in 2021;

b) that the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will meet this Autumn to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change;

c) that the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet next spring to agree to a global biodiversity framework;

d) the Welsh Government’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050;

e) the Senedd’s belief that there should be parity of action to tackle both the climate and nature crisis (NDM7725);

f) the Senedd passed NDM7725 calling on the Welsh Government to introduce legally binding requirement to reverse biodiversity loss through statutory targets.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) seek the full devolution of the management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales to the Welsh Government;

b) seek the full devolution of energy powers;

c) maximise Wales’s potential for renewable energy development by establishing a state-backed energy development company;

d) develop a net-zero workforce in Wales by facilitating cross-sector efforts to upskill workers in the energy sector;

e) facilitate the expansion of renewable power necessary to meet net-zero by investing heavily in upgrades to the Welsh electricity grid;

f) develop and implement a strategy for Welsh ports, and seek further UK Government funding of ports infrastructure in Wales to support the emerging offshore wind sector;

g) develop and implement a marine development plan to provide certainty to energy developers by guiding the citing of renewable developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas.

NDM7725 - Opposition debate from 30 June 2021

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the UK Government to deliver major energy projects for Wales;

b) welcome the fact that the UK Government has committed £90 million to innovative Welsh net-zero projects;

c) build on the fact that the UK Government and industry have committed to invest over £40 million to support the cluster of industries in south Wales to transition to net zero;

d) acknowledge that the UK Government has made available £4.8 million, subject to business case and other approvals, to support the development of the Holyhead hydrogen hub;

e) welcome the £100 million UK seafood fund designed to level up coastal communities across the UK, and work to implement rather than delay the creation of a freeport in Wales;

f) maximise the potential for renewable energy development by establishing a package of support for private investment in renewable energy schemes;

g) facilitate the growing dominance of renewable energy by placing greater urgency on ensuring that infrastructure can accommodate demand;

h) develop and implement a marine development plan;

i) create 15,000 new blue/green jobs.

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

Amendment 2 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Confirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Silesia Declaration to support workers through a just transition to net zero.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a)  play its part in enabling the transformation of our energy system to retain economic and social benefits from renewable energy generation in Welsh communities.

b)  increase energy generation capacity owned by public bodies and community groups.

c)  support Welsh ports to ensure they are able to invest to maximise local benefits from the development of marine energy generation.

d)  protect marine biodiversity whilst facilitating the deployment of marine energy technology, including through providing guidance for understanding the most suitable locations.

Calls on global leaders to use the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties to commit to ending the use of coal in energy generation.

Silesia Declaration

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.08

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7803 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the Senedd’s declaration of both a climate emergency in 2019, and a nature emergency in 2021;

b) that the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will meet this Autumn to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change;

c) that the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet next spring to agree to a global biodiversity framework;

d) the Welsh Government’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050;

e) the Senedd’s belief that there should be parity of action to tackle both the climate and nature crisis (NDM7725);

f) the Senedd passed NDM7725 calling on the Welsh Government to introduce legally binding requirement to reverse biodiversity loss through statutory targets.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) seek the full devolution of the management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales to the Welsh Government;

b) seek the full devolution of energy powers;

c) maximise Wales’s potential for renewable energy development by establishing a state-backed energy development company;

d) develop a net-zero workforce in Wales by facilitating cross-sector efforts to upskill workers in the energy sector;

e) facilitate the expansion of renewable power necessary to meet net-zero by investing heavily in upgrades to the Welsh electricity grid;

f) develop and implement a strategy for Welsh ports, and seek further UK Government funding of ports infrastructure in Wales to support the emerging offshore wind sector;

g) develop and implement a marine development plan to provide certainty to energy developers by guiding the citing of renewable developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas.

NDM7725 - Opposition debate from 30 June 2021

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

0

42

56

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the UK Government to deliver major energy projects for Wales;

b) welcome the fact that the UK Government has committed £90 million to innovative Welsh net-zero projects;

c) build on the fact that the UK Government and industry have committed to invest over £40 million to support the cluster of industries in south Wales to transition to net zero;

d) acknowledge that the UK Government has made available £4.8 million, subject to business case and other approvals, to support the development of the Holyhead hydrogen hub;

e) welcome the £100 million UK seafood fund designed to level up coastal communities across the UK, and work to implement rather than delay the creation of a freeport in Wales;

f) maximise the potential for renewable energy development by establishing a package of support for private investment in renewable energy schemes;

g) facilitate the growing dominance of renewable energy by placing greater urgency on ensuring that infrastructure can accommodate demand;

h) develop and implement a marine development plan;

i) create 15,000 new blue/green jobs.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

41

56

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Confirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Silesia Declaration to support workers through a just transition to net zero.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a)  play its part in enabling the transformation of our energy system to retain economic and social benefits from renewable energy generation in Welsh communities.

b)  increase energy generation capacity owned by public bodies and community groups.

c)  support Welsh ports to ensure they are able to invest to maximise local benefits from the development of marine energy generation.

d)  protect marine biodiversity whilst facilitating the deployment of marine energy technology, including through providing guidance for understanding the most suitable locations.

Calls on global leaders to use the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties to commit to ending the use of coal in energy generation.

Silesia Declaration

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

43

0

13

56

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the Senedd’s declaration of both a climate emergency in 2019, and a nature emergency in 2021;

b) that the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will meet this Autumn to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change;

c) that the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet next spring to agree to a global biodiversity framework;

d) the Welsh Government’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050;

e) the Senedd’s belief that there should be parity of action to tackle both the climate and nature crisis (NDM7725);

f) the Senedd passed NDM7725 calling on the Welsh Government to introduce legally binding requirement to reverse biodiversity loss through statutory targets.

2. Confirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Silesia Declaration to support workers through a just transition to net zero.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a)  play its part in enabling the transformation of our energy system to retain economic and social benefits from renewable energy generation in Welsh communities.

b)  increase energy generation capacity owned by public bodies and community groups.

c)  support Welsh ports to ensure they are able to invest to maximise local benefits from the development of marine energy generation.

d)  protect marine biodiversity whilst facilitating the deployment of marine energy technology, including through providing guidance for understanding the most suitable locations.

4. Calls on global leaders to use the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties to commit to ending the use of coal in energy generation.

NDM7725 - Opposition debate from 30 June 2021

Silesia Declaration

For

Abstain

Against

Total

56

0

0

56

The motion as amended was agreed.

7.

Voting Time

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 17.03 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before Voting Time.

The item started at 17.13

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

8.

Short Debate

NDM7795 Alun Davies (Blaenau Gwent)

Delivering the vision: levelling up the valleys

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.16

NDM7795 Alun Davies (Blaenau Gwent)

Delivering the vision: levelling up the valleys