Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 6(v5) 

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Transcript: Transcript for 15/06/2021 - 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 First Minister

The Presiding Officer will call Party Leaders to ask questions without notice to the First Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

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

 

(30 mins)

2.

Business Statement and Announcement

Minutes:

The item started at 14.36

 

(60 mins)

3.

Statement by the First Minister: The Programme for Government

Minutes:

The item started at 15.06

Point of Order

At 16.11, Tom Giffard raised a point of order in reference to question 5 during First Minister’s Questions to declare an interest as a member of Bridgend County Borough Council.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 16.12 the meeting was suspended by the Deputy Presiding Officer.

(45 mins)

4.

Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Services supporting people to recover from COVID-19

Minutes:

The item started at 16.22.

 

(30 mins)

Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate items 5-6 together but with separate votes:

5.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations 2021

NDM7705 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations 2021 laid in the Table Office on 4 June 2021.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Interim Subordinate Legislation Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 16.56

NDM7705 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 11) Regulations 2021 laid in the Table Office on 4 June 2021.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

6.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations 2021

NDM7709 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations 2021 laid in the Table Office on 8 June 2021.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Interim Subordinate Legislation Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 16.56.

NDM7709 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 12) Regulations 2021 laid in the Table Office on 8 June 2021.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(15 mins)

Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate items 7-8 together but with separate votes:

7.

The Plant Health etc. (Fees) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

NDM7706 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Plant Health etc. (Fees) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 18 May 2021.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Interim Subordinate Legislation Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 17.18

NDM7706 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Plant Health etc. (Fees) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 18 May 2021.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

8.

The Plant Health (Fees) (Forestry) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

NDM7707 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Plant Health (Fees) (Forestry) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 18 May 2021.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Interim Subordinate Legislation Committee

Minutes:

The item started at 17.19

NDM7707 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft The Plant Health (Fees) (Forestry) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 18 May 2021.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 17.22 the meeting was suspended by the Llywydd.

 

(60 mins)

9.

Debate: The UK Levelling Up and Shared Prosperity Funds

NDM7708 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Agrees that the UK Government approach to the Levelling Up Fund and broader EU successor funding does not guarantee that Wales will not be a penny worse off and represents a clear assault on Welsh devolution.

2. Agrees that the pilot UK Community Renewal Fund for 2021-22 represents a significant cut in funding for Wales as the Welsh Government would have received at least £375m each year in the form of EU structural funds.

3. Notes that this cut in available funding threatens jobs and services in Wales.  

4. Shares the concerns raised by the Welsh Local Government Association regarding the level of available funding and the process for delivery expressed in its evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee regarding the UK Government’s proposals.

5. Notes the independent UK Industrial Strategy Council’s description of the UK Government’s Levelling Up plans as ‘centrally controlled funding pots thinly spread across a range of initiatives’.

6. Agrees that the UK Government has neither presented nor won a mandate to cut EU successor funds for Wales or unilaterally undermine Welsh devolution.

7. Believes that decisions about Wales should be taken in Wales and that the UK Government must stop using the Internal Market Act to diminish Wales’s say.

UK Community Renewal Fund: prospectus 2021-22

Welsh Local Government Association - oral evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee - 27 May 2021

Industrial Strategy Council Annual Report 2021

UK Internal Market Act 2020

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the UK shared prosperity fund and its intention to reduce inequalities between communities across the UK.

2. Agrees that the annual budget for the UK shared prosperity fund should be no less than the EU and UK funding streams it replaces.

3. Welcomes the role of local government in the deployment of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

4. Calls upon Her Majesty's Government, local authorities and devolved administrations to develop a system to track and measure the impact and desired outcomes of the fund.

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

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Insert as new points after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that the UK Government approach to the prioritisation criteria for these funds is inconsistent with that of predecessor EU funding based on need.

Calls for transparency from the UK Government on the prioritisation criteria for these funds to ensure no area in Wales misses out on funding.

Amendment 3 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to lay before the Senedd an impact assessment showing the effect of these funding arrangements on the distribution of funding across Wales and devolved Welsh decision-making.

Minutes:

The item started at 17.32

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

NDM7708 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Agrees that the UK Government approach to the Levelling Up Fund and broader EU successor funding does not guarantee that Wales will not be a penny worse off and represents a clear assault on Welsh devolution.

2. Agrees that the pilot UK Community Renewal Fund for 2021-22 represents a significant cut in funding for Wales as the Welsh Government would have received at least £375m each year in the form of EU structural funds.

3. Notes that this cut in available funding threatens jobs and services in Wales.  

4. Shares the concerns raised by the Welsh Local Government Association regarding the level of available funding and the process for delivery expressed in its evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee regarding the UK Government’s proposals.

5. Notes the independent UK Industrial Strategy Council’s description of the UK Government’s Levelling Up plans as ‘centrally controlled funding pots thinly spread across a range of initiatives’.

6. Agrees that the UK Government has neither presented nor won a mandate to cut EU successor funds for Wales or unilaterally undermine Welsh devolution.

7. Believes that decisions about Wales should be taken in Wales and that the UK Government must stop using the Internal Market Act to diminish Wales’s say.

UK Community Renewal Fund: prospectus 2021-22

Welsh Local Government Association - oral evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee - 27 May 2021

Industrial Strategy Council Annual Report 2021

UK Internal Market Act 2020

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the UK shared prosperity fund and its intention to reduce inequalities between communities across the UK.

2. Agrees that the annual budget for the UK shared prosperity fund should be no less than the EU and UK funding streams it replaces.

3. Welcomes the role of local government in the deployment of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

4. Calls upon Her Majesty's Government, local authorities and devolved administrations to develop a system to track and measure the impact and desired outcomes of the fund.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

39

54

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Insert as new points after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Believes that the UK Government approach to the prioritisation criteria for these funds is inconsistent with that of predecessor EU funding based on need.

Calls for transparency from the UK Government on the prioritisation criteria for these funds to ensure no area in Wales misses out on funding.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

0

14

54

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to lay before the Senedd an impact assessment showing the effect of these funding arrangements on the distribution of funding across Wales and devolved Welsh decision-making.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

40

0

14

54

Amendment 3 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7708 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Agrees that the UK Government approach to the Levelling Up Fund and broader EU successor funding does not guarantee that Wales will not be a penny worse off and represents a clear assault on Welsh devolution.

2. Agrees that the pilot UK Community Renewal Fund for 2021-22 represents a significant cut in funding for Wales as the Welsh Government would have received at least £375m each year in the form of EU structural funds.

3. Believes that the UK Government approach to the prioritisation criteria for these funds is inconsistent with that of predecessor EU funding based on need.

4. Calls for transparency from the UK Government on the prioritisation criteria for these funds to ensure no area in Wales misses out on funding.

5. Notes that this cut in available funding threatens jobs and services in Wales.  

6. Shares the concerns raised by the Welsh Local Government Association regarding the level of available funding and the process for delivery expressed in its evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee regarding the UK Government’s proposals.

7. Notes the independent UK Industrial Strategy Council’s description of the UK Government’s Levelling Up plans as ‘centrally controlled funding pots thinly spread across a range of initiatives’.

8. Agrees that the UK Government has neither presented nor won a mandate to cut EU successor funds for Wales or unilaterally undermine Welsh devolution.

9. Believes that decisions about Wales should be taken in Wales and that the UK Government must stop using the Internal Market Act to diminish Wales’s say.

10. Calls on the Welsh Government to lay before the Senedd an impact assessment showing the effect of these funding arrangements on the distribution of funding across Wales and devolved Welsh decision-making.

UK Community Renewal Fund: prospectus 2021-22

Welsh Local Government Association - oral evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee - 27 May 2021

Industrial Strategy Council Annual Report 2021

UK Internal Market Act 2020

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

0

15

54

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

 

10.

Voting time

Minutes:

Votes Summary

Supporting documents: