Decisions
Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate - Fourth Assembly
This page shows the decisions made by any committees looking at the matter. This might include agreeing the Terms of Reference for the inquiry or deciding to hold a public consultation on the matter.
16/03/2016 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 18.09
NDM6011 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises the challenges facing the primary care sector in Wales, with
increasing pressure on resources and an ageing population with more complex
care needs;
2.
Notes that the percentage of NHS funding spent on general practice has fallen
from 10.27 per cent in 2005-2006 to 7.9 per cent in 2015-2016;
3.
Notes that Wales has the second lowest GP coverage in the UK with 23 per cent
of GPs aged over 50 and difficulties in training enough GPs to fulfil future
workforce requirements; and
4.
Calls on the next Welsh Government to:
a)
introduce an access to GPs scheme to fund innovative ways of providing primary
care services to improve access to GPs for patients;
b)
improve the availability of specialist mental health training for health
professionals;
c)
review the capacity of the general practice workforce to meet the needs of
patients;
d)
improve public education on appropriate health services;
e)
review the administration requirements on GPs; and
f)
improve the promotion of general practice as a profession.
The motion was agreed in accordance with
Standing Order 12.36.
28/01/2016 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.14
Voting on the motion and amendments under
this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5938 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises that there is a housing crisis in Wales, noting in particular that:
a)
Welsh Government housing targets fall far short of the recommendations of the
Holmans report on house building and the number of affordable homes needed by
2031;
b)
there are estimated to be over 90,000 households on social housing waiting
lists;
c)
many first-time buyers still struggle to get on the property ladder; and
d)
more must be done to protect tenants from unfair practices and to improve the
quality and safety of poor private rented sector homes.
2.
Believes that greater ambition is needed to ensure that every person has a
secure and affordable home which can be a key factor in boosting health,
well-being and opportunity, and that this should include:
a)
doubling the target on affordable homes to 20,000 over the next Assembly;
b)
a rent-to-own scheme to help first time buyers to buy their own home without a
deposit; and
c) action to improve the quality and safety of
homes in the private rented sector and a Residential Property Tribunal to
adjudicate on landlord and tenant disputes.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
4 |
0 |
44 |
48 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Delete
point 1a) and replace with:
Welsh
Government housing targets fall far short of:
i)
the recommendations of the Holmans report on house building and the number of
affordable homes needed by 2031;
ii)
the recommendations of the Bevan Foundation report,'The Shape of Wales to
Come', and the number of affordable homes needed by 2028; and
iii)
the views expressed by the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru on investment
in social housing.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
19 |
0 |
27 |
46 |
Amendment 1 was not
agreed.
Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In
point 2:
Delete
'should' and replace with 'could'.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
20 |
0 |
28 |
48 |
Amendment 2 was not
agreed.
Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert
as new sub-points at end of point 2:
reforming
tenancy law to introduce rent controls and to grant renters longer-term, more
secure and higher quality tenancies;
bringing
empty properties back into use;
developing
publicly owned housing companies to respond to local need.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
13 |
0 |
35 |
48 |
Amendment 3 was not
agreed.
Amendment 4 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add
as a new point at end of the motion:
Believes
that Wales needs to implement a comprehensive housing reform programme to
increase supply and therefore make housing more affordable.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
25 |
49 |
As required by Standing Order
6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against
the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
As the Assembly did not agree the motion
without amendment, and did not agree the amendments tabled to the motion, the
motion was therefore not agreed.
09/12/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.51
Voting on the motion and amendments under
this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5906 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Regrets that Wales lags behind the rest of
the UK in educational outcomes, particularly in key areas of reading,
mathematics and science.
2. Believes that educational policies should
help foster strong leadership and governance, excellent teaching, high aspirations
and opportunities to innovate.
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to empower
teachers and school leaders who have shown capacity and innovation with the
freedom to excel, by:
a)
reducing infant class sizes to 25 to give teachers more time for individual
learning with pupils;
b)
introducing a talented headteachers programme to encourage top leaders to use
their expertise to support underperforming schools;
c)
ensuring that teachers are given protected time to undertake continuous
professional development;
d)
introducing elected representation of peers from the teaching profession to the
Education Workforce Council to ensure proper accountability; and
e)
introducing a system of individual pupil monitoring, so that teachers can focus
on the experiences, achievements and outcomes for individual pupils.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
43 |
48 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert
as new point 2 and renumber accordingly:
Believes
that investing in early education is the most effective way of raising
educational attainment.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
38 |
10 |
0 |
48 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment
2 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Delete
point 3 and replace with:
Calls
on the Welsh Government to empower teachers and school leaders who have shown
capacity and innovation with the freedom to excel, by:
a)
introducing a comprehensive headteachers programme that provides continual
professional development and ongoing support to all headteachers;
b)
working with the teaching profession to develop and offer a suite of continuous
professional development programmes that delivers for the needs of teachers and
schools;
c)
ensuring that teachers are given protected time to undertake mandatory
continuous professional development; and
d)
removing the bureaucratic burden from teachers to enable them to practise a
system of individual pupil monitoring.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
38 |
48 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
Amendment
3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In
point 3, delete sub-point a).
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
33 |
0 |
15 |
48 |
Amendment 3 was agreed.
Amendment
4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add
as new sub-point at end of point 3:
introducing
compulsory continuous professional development for teachers.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
25 |
49 |
As required
by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote
by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
Amendment
5 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Adds
new point at the end of the motion
Calls
on the Welsh Government to undertake a review of teaching capacity and training
needs in order to enable accurate workforce planning.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
25 |
49 |
As required
by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote
by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5906 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Regrets that Wales lags behind the rest of the UK in educational outcomes,
particularly in key areas of reading, mathematics and science.
2.
Believes that investing in early education is the most effective way of raising
educational attainment.
3. Believes that educational policies should
help foster strong leadership and governance, excellent teaching, high
aspirations and opportunities to innovate.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to empower teachers
and school leaders who have shown capacity and innovation with the freedom to
excel, by:
a) introducing a talented headteachers programme
to encourage top leaders to use their expertise to support underperforming
schools;
b)
ensuring that teachers are given protected time to undertake continuous
professional development;
c)
introducing elected representation of peers from the teaching profession to the
Education Workforce Council to ensure proper accountability; and
d)
introducing a system of individual pupil monitoring, so that teachers can focus
on the experiences, achievements and outcomes for individual pupils.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
25 |
49 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy
Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the motion as
amended. Therefore, the motion as amended was not agreed.
25/11/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.49
Voting on the motion and amendments under
this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5889 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises the importance of securing global agreement on a climate change
treaty at the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, to ensure that the
internationally agreed objective of limiting average global temperature
increases to below two degrees Celsius is kept within reach.
2.
Calls on the Welsh Government to lead with ambition by setting a target for a
100 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050 within the Environment
(Wales) Bill.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
47 |
52 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
Delete
point 2.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
11 |
15 |
52 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Regrets
that the Welsh Government is not on track to meet its Climate Change 2020
targets.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order
6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against
Amendment 2.
Amendment 3 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Calls
on the Welsh Government to accelerate its low-carbon economy planning for
Wales, to provide green jobs for the future.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
51 |
0 |
0 |
51 |
Amendment 3 was agreed.
Amendment 4 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Recognises
the importance of monitoring annual carbon emissions.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 4 was agreed.
Amendment 5 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Notes
the role retrofitting of older properties can play in meeting carbon reduction
targets.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 5 was agreed.
Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Calls
on the Welsh Government to strengthen building regulations and significantly
upscale its retrofitting programme in order to cut emissions, help tackle fuel
poverty and create jobs.
A vote was taken on Amendment 6:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 6 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5889 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises the importance of securing global agreement on a climate change
treaty at the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, to ensure that the
internationally agreed objective of limiting average global temperature
increases to below two degrees Celsius is kept within reach.
2.
Calls on the Welsh Government to accelerate its low-carbon economy planning for
Wales, to provide green jobs for the future.
3.
Recognises the importance of monitoring annual carbon emissions.
4.
Notes the role retrofitting of older properties can play in meeting carbon
reduction targets.
5.
Calls on the Welsh Government to strengthen building regulations and
significantly upscale its retrofitting programme in order to cut emissions,
help tackle fuel poverty and create jobs.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
18/11/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.04
NDM5878 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that over 170,000 people in Wales are
employed directly and indirectly in tourism and related sectors;
2. Notes that 44 per cent of people employed
within the tourism sector are under 30 years old, and therefore measures to
support this sector could play a key role in reducing the youth unemployment
rate in Wales;
3. Believes that a reduction in VAT on tourism
would encourage more domestic and international visitors, provide a significant
boost to local businesses and lead to increased investment, jobs and economic
growth.
4. Notes that 25 other EU Member States already
take advantage of an EU dispensation for a lower VAT rate on tourist
attractions and accommodation; and
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to make
representations to the UK Government to lower the VAT on tourism from 20 per
cent to 5 per cent, to help us compete with other European countries and send a
strong message that Wales is open to tourists and open for business.
The motion without amendment was agreed in
accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
04/11/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.47
Voting on the motion and amendment under this
item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5865 Aled Roberts
(North Wales)
To propose that the
National Assembly for Wales:
1. Believes that a vibrant
and diverse Welsh high street has a key role to play in building sustainable
communities for the future; supporting jobs and local enterprise, and improving
social inclusion and cohesion;
2. Recognises the need to
tackle barriers to the growth of town centres, which includes:
a) the increase in online
and out of town retail;
b) the loss of local
services or community assets and the recent round of bank closures;
c) the high street vacancy
rate which is consistently above the UK average;
d) the lack of early consideration
of sustainable transport in regeneration projects; and
e) the failure of the
planning system to facilitate development and encourage investment in response
to changing consumer demand.
3. Calls on the Welsh
Government to consider innovative proposals for the regeneration of high
streets in Wales, including the development of a national learning network to
offer training and resources, facilitate networking for inspiration on best
practice and collect and share access to research from around the world on
revitalising town centres.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
33 |
0 |
10 |
43 |
The
motion without amendment was agreed.
07/10/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.42
NDM5840 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that without proper support and treatment,
mental health problems can have a devastating impact on a person's quality of
life, affecting their work, their home life and their relationships;
2. Welcomes world mental health day, Time to Change
Wales, All Together Now! and other campaigns which help to raise awareness of
mental health and end stigma and discrimination;
3. Believes that there is still much to be done to
provide better care and support for people of all ages with mental health
problems in Wales;
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) give equal priority to mental health and
physical health in law to help drive a culture change in attitudes;
b) ensure that the proportion of funding for mental
health within the overall NHS Wales budget is consistent with the disease
burden, reflecting the relative size of the health challenge in relation to
physical health;
c) introduce new waiting time standards for mental
health, including for access to psychological therapies;
d) improve mental health training to equip
teachers, health professionals and employers with the skills to identify and
support those experiencing mental health problems; and
e) introduce a core set of mental health data,
focused on outcomes for service users, to inform decision making on priorities
for action and to ensure the most effective allocation of resources.
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
23/09/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.27
Voting on the motion and amendments under
this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5826 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the importance of the Supporting
People Programme which offers invaluable support for vulnerable people to live
independently within their community and to end social exclusion;
2. Notes that last year the programme supported
over 60,000 people in Wales including those who are homeless, at risk of
domestic violence, elderly, disabled, or have complex needs;
3. Notes that the Supporting People Programme had
an 8.3 per cent real terms cut in funding between 2014-15 and 2015-16.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) review the administration and monitoring
requirements of the Supporting People programme to ensure that funding is
prioritised for front-line provision; and
b) protect the Supporting People grant within the
2016-17 Welsh Government budget.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
25 |
0 |
26 |
51 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1 – Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes that the Supporting People programme reduces
unnecessary pressures on statutory services such as health and social services
and that it is estimated that every £1 invested in this programme can save up
to £2.30 for the public purse.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
51 |
0 |
0 |
51 |
Amendment 1 was
agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5826 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the importance of the Supporting
People Programme which offers invaluable support for vulnerable people to live
independently within their community and to end social exclusion;
2. Notes that last year the programme supported
over 60,000 people in Wales including those who are homeless, at risk of
domestic violence, elderly, disabled, or have complex needs;
3. Notes that the Supporting People Programme had
an 8.3 per cent real terms cut in funding between 2014-15 and 2015-16.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) review the administration and monitoring
requirements of the Supporting People programme to ensure that funding is
prioritised for front-line provision; and
b) protect the Supporting People grant within the
2016-17 Welsh Government budget.
5. Notes that the Supporting People programme
reduces unnecessary pressures on statutory services such as health and social
services and that it is estimated that every £1 invested in this programme can
save up to £2.30 for the public purse.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
25 |
0 |
26 |
51 |
The
motion as amended was not agreed.
24/06/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.17
A vote was taken on the
motion without amendment:
NDM5790
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the value of distinctive
Welsh-language broadcasting and the important contribution of S4C in
safeguarding our Welsh language and enriching the culture of Wales;
2. Opposes any further cuts in S4C funding by the
UK Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which could threaten the
future of this channel; and
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to make representations
to the UK Government on the importance of maintaining the editorial, managerial
and operational independence of S4C and the need for a sustainable funding
basis to protect the future of Welsh-language broadcasting.
The motion without amendment was agreed in accordance with Standing Order
12.36.
10/06/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The
item started at 16.46
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5779 Aled Roberts
(North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Believes that the current system for ensuring the quality and safety of
healthcare services is not fit for purpose and that Healthcare Inspectorate
Wales does not fulfil the need for independent inspection of the health system
in Wales.
2.
Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a more robust quality assurance
system that includes:
a)
scrapping Health Inspectorate Wales and establishing a new inspectorate that is
fully independent of the Welsh Government;
b)
appointing a chief inspector for hospitals and healthcare;
c)
introducing clinically-led and peer-reviewed inspections with significant
patient input;
d)
supporting staff and patients to use mechanisms for whistleblowing by
encouraging a stronger culture of openness and transparency; and
e)
reforming the complaints procedure to ensure greater independence and restore
the trust of patients and their families.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
6 |
0 |
42 |
48 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 – Elin Jones
(Ceredigion)
Insert
new sub-point at end of point 2:
f)
considering a full merger of health and social care inspectorates.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
48 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
Amendment
1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 – Paul Davies
(Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Calls
on the Welsh Government to increase transparency in the inspection and
regulation of healthcare providers in Wales by commissioning a full and
independent inquiry into the Welsh NHS.
A
vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
9 |
29 |
48 |
Amendment
2 was not agreed.
A
vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5779 Aled Roberts
(North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Believes that the current system for ensuring the quality and safety of
healthcare services is not fit for purpose and that Healthcare Inspectorate
Wales does not fulfil the need for independent inspection of the health system
in Wales.
2.
Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a more robust quality assurance
system that includes:
a)
scrapping Health Inspectorate Wales and establishing a new inspectorate that is
fully independent of the Welsh Government;
b)
appointing a chief inspector for hospitals and healthcare;
c)
introducing clinically-led and peer-reviewed inspections with significant
patient input;
d)
supporting staff and patients to use mechanisms for whistleblowing by
encouraging a stronger culture of openness and transparency; and
e)
reforming the complaints procedure to ensure greater independence and restore
the trust of patients and their families.
f)
considering a full merger of health and social care inspectorates.
3.
Calls on the Welsh Government to increase transparency in the inspection and
regulation of healthcare providers in Wales by commissioning a full and
independent inquiry into the Welsh NHS.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
25 |
49 |
As
required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting
vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
03/06/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The
item started at 18.00
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5770 Aled Roberts
(North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Firmly
opposes any attempt by the UK Government to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998,
which would undermine our Welsh devolution settlement and be a retrograde step
in the promotion and protection of human rights.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
15 |
39 |
The
motion without amendment was agreed
29/04/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at
16.28
Voting on the Motion and Amendments under this item
was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the Motion without amendment:
NDM5746 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the
National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes the sudden
closure of the Welsh Government's flagship yet ineffective Jobs Growth Wales
scheme, without any replacement.
2. Notes that the
2014 interim evaluation report on Jobs Growth Wales found that:
a) 73% of young
people would have found employment without the scheme;
b) there were
significant failures to target those young people most in need of help to find
work; and
c) scheme
participants were shown to be trapped on low wages, earning only 67% of the
average for their age group.
3. Calls on the
Welsh Government to focus future European Social Fund employment schemes on
improving skill levels, increasing the number of apprenticeships and developing
work-based training opportunities, which would support young people most at
risk of long-term unemployment and give them the skills and opportunities to
help build a stronger economy to enable them to get on in life.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
4 |
0 |
37 |
41 |
The Motion without
amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point 1
and renumber accordingly:
1. Acknowledges
that a strong UK economy:
a) creates the
conditions for growth in job opportunities for our young people;
b) challenges
schools, further and higher education institutions, governments and employers
to identify and meet skills required in
the growth employment market; a
c) allows young
entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities of economic growth.
A vote was taken on
Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
35 |
0 |
7 |
42 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Delete point 1 and
replace with:
Notes the sudden
closure of the Welsh Government's flagship Jobs Growth Wales scheme and calls
for the swift reinstatement of an equivalent programme.
A vote was taken on
Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
11 |
9 |
21 |
41 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
A vote was taken on the Motion as amended:
NDM5746 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the
National Assembly for Wales:
1. Acknowledges
that a strong UK economy:
a) creates the
conditions for growth in job opportunities for our young people;
b) challenges
schools, further and higher education institutions, governments and employers
to identify and meet skills required in
the growth employment market; a
c) allows young
entrepreneurs to seize the opportunities of economic growth.
2. Notes the sudden
closure of the Welsh Government's flagship yet ineffective Jobs Growth Wales
scheme, without any replacement.
3. Notes that the
2014 interim evaluation report on Jobs Growth Wales found that:
a) 73% of young
people would have found employment without the scheme;
b) there were
significant failures to target those young people most in need of help to find
work; and
c) scheme
participants were shown to be trapped on low wages, earning only 67% of the
average for their age group.
4. Calls on the
Welsh Government to focus future European Social Fund employment schemes on
improving skill levels, increasing the number of apprenticeships and developing
work-based training opportunities, which would support young people most at
risk of long-term unemployment and give them the skills and opportunities to
help build a stronger economy to enable them to get on in life.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
13 |
0 |
28 |
41 |
The Motion as amended was
not agreed.
18/03/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The
item started at 17.02
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5727
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that one in three Welsh children live below
the poverty line.
2. Notes that Wales has the lowest education
attainment levels in the UK, which has a particularly negative impact on
deprived communities.
3. Notes that childhood obesity, female youth
smoking rates and youth alcohol consumption rates are worse in Wales than in
England.
4. Notes that Young people aged between 11 and 16 in
Wales drink more alcohol each week than in any other part of the UK.
5. Welcomes the recent budget deal between the Welsh
Liberal Democrats and Welsh Government which will increase the Pupil
Deprivation Grant (PDG) to £1,150 per pupil, extend the PDG to under 5s, and
introduce a Young Travellers' Youth Concessionary Fare.
6. Believes people should be empowered to lead the
life they want to lead and there is no room for complacency in the battle to
ensure equality for all.
7. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) provide access to the Flying Start initiative to
all children across Wales on the basis of need rather than geographical
location;
b) improve the system of continuous professional
development for teachers and establish a Welsh Academy of Education Leadership;
c) amend the Estyn Framework to ensure that greater
focus is given to education on healthy eating and exercise in schools;
d) focus more resources on the cessation of youth
smoking and tackling illegal tobacco; and
e) ensure that all apprentices receive the highest
quality of training that provides them with portable qualifications.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
4 |
0 |
46 |
50 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Elin Jones
(Ceredigion)
Insert
as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:
Notes
the projected rise in the number of children living in poverty to 3.4 million
across the UK by 2020 and further notes the impact of UK Government welfare
reforms on rising child poverty levels.
A
vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
34 |
0 |
16 |
50 |
Amendment
1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - Paul
Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Delete
point 5.
A
vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
21 |
0 |
29 |
50 |
Amendment
2 was not agreed.
Amendment
3 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
In sub-point 7b), delete 'establish a Welsh Academy
of Education Leadership' and replace with 'ensure it progresses effectively
from new Initial Teacher Education provision'.
A
vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
43 |
0 |
4 |
47 |
Amendment
3 was agreed.
Amendment 4 - Paul
Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add
as a new sub-point at the end of motion:
ensure
that schools show evidence that they are using the PDG to help pupils from
low-income households.
A
vote was taken on Amendment 4
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
49 |
1 |
0 |
50 |
Amendment
4 was agreed.
A
vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5727
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that one in three Welsh children live below
the poverty line.
2. Notes that Wales has the lowest education attainment
levels in the UK, which has a particularly negative impact on deprived
communities.
3. Notes that childhood obesity, female youth
smoking rates and youth alcohol consumption rates are worse in Wales than in
England.
4. Notes that Young people aged between 11 and 16 in
Wales drink more alcohol each week than in any other part of the UK.
5. Notes
the projected rise in the number of children living in poverty to 3.4 million
across the UK by 2020 and further notes the impact of UK Government welfare
reforms on rising child poverty levels.
6. Welcomes the recent budget deal between the Welsh
Liberal Democrats and Welsh Government which will increase the Pupil
Deprivation Grant (PDG) to £1,150 per pupil, extend the PDG to under 5s, and
introduce a Young Travellers' Youth Concessionary Fare.
7. Believes people should be empowered to lead the
life they want to lead and there is no room for complacency in the battle to
ensure equality for all.
8. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) provide access to the Flying Start initiative to
all children across Wales on the basis of need rather than geographical
location;
b) improve the system of continuous professional
development for teachers and ensure it progresses effectively from new Initial
Teacher Education provision;
c) amend the Estyn Framework to ensure that greater
focus is given to education on healthy eating and exercise in schools;
d) focus more resources on the cessation of youth
smoking and tackling illegal tobacco; and
e) ensure that all apprentices receive the highest
quality of training that provides them with portable qualifications.
f)
ensure that schools show evidence that they are using the PDG to help pupils
from low-income households.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
0 |
8 |
42 |
50 |
The
motion as amended was not agreed.
25/02/2015 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.54
Due to a technical fault with the microphone system proceedings were
suspended at 17.18. The bell was rung before reconvening at 17.30.
NDM5702 Aled
Roberts (North Wales)
1. Notes that:
a) the Office for National Statistics estimates that one in four British
adults will experience a mental health problem within any given year;
b) the World Health Organisation estimates that 20% of the 'burden of
disease' in the UK is represented by mental illness but that mental health
accounts for just 11% of NHS spending;
c) mental health problems can interact with other conditions to further
worsen a person's wellbeing;
d) according to the UK Chief Medical Officer, three-quarters of adult
mental disorders are in evidence by the age of 21, but three-quarters of
children and young people with these disorders are not diagnosed or treated;
e) Stats Wales showed young people under the age of 18 accounted for 85%
of the population waiting more than 18 weeks in December 2014 between referral
and receiving first treatment for mental health problems;
f) research by Mind found that 1 in 3 workers in the UK wouldn't be able
to talk openly with their line managers about stress.
2. Welcomes the excellent work of the third sector in raising awareness
for mental health wellbeing.
3. Believes more must be done to support people to look after their own
mental health.
4. Believes there must be a parity of emphasis between mental and
physical health.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) carry out a study to determine what additional funding and resources
are required for mental health provision in Wales in order to ensure parity of
emphasis between mental and physical health services;
b) expand liaison psychiatry in the NHS to provide mental healthcare
support for people being treated with physical health problems;
c) offer mental health support training and advice to all those who work
closely with children;
d) ensure all new student teachers receive basic mental health support
training as part of the qualified teacher status;
e) ensure that employers make workplaces a mental health friendly
environment.
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
28/01/2015 - Dadl Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
The item started at 16.50
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until
Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5676 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that access to financial capital for Welsh
businesses is essential to encourage growth in the private sector.
2. Notes that up skilling the Welsh population is
crucial to increasing productivity and putting the Welsh economy at a
competitive advantage.
3. Notes that our rurality and geography mean that
innovative and radical proposals are needed to grow our economy and improve
connectivity.
4. Believes that there are many strengths that will
help build the Welsh economy such as our proximity to UK and EU markets,
existing pockets of innovation and excellence, and training capacity.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to deliver a
balanced, integrated, export-led economic strategy and address Wales's
underdevelopment with a long-term commitment to investing in Wales's people,
business and infrastructure, including by:
a) creating a Welsh development bank;
b) developing networks of advisors to provide
professional business support;
c) embedding wider skills such as entrepreneurship,
leadership and management into the curriculum;
d) decentralising more powers over economic
development from Cardiff Bay, directly to communities;
e) improving our transport infrastructure by
supporting electrification of the North Wales Coast Main Line, developing
passenger transport authorities to regulate public transport and ensure
suitable provision; and funding a feasibility study into reinstating the rail
links between Aberyswyth and Carmarthen to link up with the existing network;
and
f) launching a radical and systematic review of the
way that business rates are run in Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
47 |
52 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments have been tabled:
Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Insert as a new point 1 and renumber accordingly:
Acknowledges that a successful private sector,
including social enterprises, is vital for sustainable economic growth
throughout Wales and the enhancement of public service provision.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In subpoint 5(e), insert after 'North Wales Coast
Main Line':
'and the Wales Marches Line'.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the
Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the
amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
Amendment 3 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
In point 5e) delete 'developing passenger transport
authorities to regulate public transport and ensure suitable provision' and
replace with 'developing a not-for-dividend model as a key part of delivering
an integrated transport system'.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
35 |
0 |
17 |
52 |
Amendment 3 was agreed.
Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new sub-point at end of point 5:
extending the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme to
give all businesses with a Rateable Value of £10,000 or less 100% relief and
tapered relief for those with a Rateable Value between £10,001 and £15,000.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
21 |
0 |
31 |
52 |
Amendment 4 was not agreed.
Amendment 5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new sub-point at end of point 5:
establishing a new body to work alongside UKTI to
build trading relationships between Welsh businesses and the international
community.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
9 |
0 |
43 |
52 |
Amendment 5 was not agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5676 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Acknowledges that a successful private sector,
including social enterprises, is vital for sustainable economic growth throughout
Wales and the enhancement of public service provision.
2. Notes that access to financial capital for Welsh
businesses is essential to encourage growth in the private sector.
3. Notes that up skilling the Welsh population is
crucial to increasing productivity and putting the Welsh economy at a
competitive advantage.
4. Notes that our rurality and geography mean that
innovative and radical proposals are needed to grow our economy and improve
connectivity.
5. Believes that there are many strengths that will
help build the Welsh economy such as our proximity to UK and EU markets,
existing pockets of innovation and excellence, and training capacity.
6. Calls on the Welsh Government to deliver a
balanced, integrated, export-led economic strategy and address Wales's
underdevelopment with a long-term commitment to investing in Wales's people,
business and infrastructure, including by:
a) creating a Welsh development bank;
b) developing networks of advisors to provide
professional business support;
c) embedding wider skills such as entrepreneurship,
leadership and management into the curriculum;
d) decentralising more powers over economic
development from Cardiff Bay, directly to communities;
e) improving our transport infrastructure by
supporting electrification of the North Wales Coast Main Line, developing a
not-for-dividend model as a key part of delivering an integrated transport
system; and funding a feasibility study into reinstating the rail links between
Aberyswyth and Carmarthen to link up with the existing network; and
f) launching a radical and systematic review of the
way that business rates are run in Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
40 |
0 |
12 |
52 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
19/11/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.11
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5623 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the
National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises that
transgender people in Wales are among the most vulnerable to social isolation
and prejudice.
2. Notes that there is
inadequate service provision in Wales for the transgender community in a number
of areas, including employment and training, healthcare and housing.
3. Calls on the Welsh
Government to:
a) identify a Minister to
take responsibility for the issues faced by the trans community;
b) formulate an action
plan for identifying institutionalised prejudice, improving access to public
services and tackling social stigmatisation, harassment and bullying for this
group; and
c) report back to the
Assembly within 6 months of the Minister being appointed.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
28 |
0 |
19 |
47 |
The
motion without amendment was agreed.
12/11/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.17
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5615 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the
National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes the current
forecasts that the concession agreement for the Severn Bridges will come to an
end in 2018 and that early discussions need to take place as to the future
ownership, maintenance and tolling system for the bridges.
2. Believes that the
current tolling system is an unfair burden on businesses, commuters and the
public.
3. Calls on the Welsh
Government to work closely with the UK Government on planning for the future of
the bridges.
4. Calls on the UK
Government to abolish the tolls on the Severn Bridges once the existing
construction and repair costs are paid off.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
39 |
44 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Delete point 4 and replace with
4. Calls for responsibility for setting tolls on
the Severn crossings, following the concession, to be transferred to the Welsh
Government.
5. Calls on the next Welsh Government to reduce the
tolls on the Severn Bridges to reflect maintenance costs only, and for the
longer term option of abolishing the tolls to be kept under review.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
39 |
0 |
5 |
44 |
Amendment 1 was agreed
As Amendment 1 was agreed Amendments 2 and 3 were
de-selected.
A
vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5615 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the
National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes the current forecasts
that the concession agreement for the Severn Bridges will come to an end in
2018 and that early discussions need to take place as to the future ownership,
maintenance and tolling system for the bridges.
2. Believes that the
current tolling system is an unfair burden on businesses, commuters and the
public.
3. Calls on the Welsh
Government to work closely with the UK Government on planning for the future of
the bridges.
4. Calls for responsibility for setting tolls on
the Severn crossings, following the concession, to be transferred to the Welsh
Government.
5. Calls on the next Welsh Government to reduce the
tolls on the Severn Bridges to reflect maintenance costs only, and for the
longer term option of abolishing the tolls to be kept under review.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
39 |
0 |
5 |
44 |
The
motion as amended was agreed.
08/10/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.24
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5593
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Welcomes that the Welsh Government, together with the Welsh Liberal Democrats,
have secured an additional £95m of funding over two years in the new budget for
the Pupil Deprivation Grant.
2.
Welcomes that funding has also been extended to include the Early Years Pupil
Premium for children under the age of 5.
3.
Recognises that the two year budget deal helps address concerns expressed by
schools in previous years of the scheme regarding the continuity of funding.
4.
Recognises the importance of both schemes in helping break the link between
poverty and educational under-achievement, and in closing the attainment gap
between pupils from disadvantaged and more advantaged backgrounds.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
29 |
0 |
19 |
48 |
The
motion without amendment was agreed.
24/09/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.05
NDM5574 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Welcomes that 16 and 17 year olds were able to
vote in the recent Scottish independence referendum, which was the first time
they have had the right to do so in a major ballot in the United Kingdom;
2.
Recognises the importance of empowering young people in Wales to engage
in politics and contribute their views and ideas to help shape the communities
in which they live;
3. Notes the
Electoral Commission 2014 report which found that 49% of 16-17 year olds in the
UK are not registered to vote and believes that more needs to be done to
encourage the participation of young people in democracy; and
4. Welcomes
the steps proposed in the Voter Registration Bill, which aims to increase the
participation of young people in politics by empowering electoral registration
officers in Wales to improve data sharing and increase the number of people
registered from underrepresented groups.
Voting on the motion and
amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
41 |
0 |
11 |
52 |
The
motion without amendment was agreed.
18/06/2014 - Dadl Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
The item started at 17.02
Voting on the motion and amendments
under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without
amendment:
NDM5530 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for
Wales:
1. Recognises the importance of microgeneration
and community-owned generation to the development of a diverse energy mix to
provide for Wales’ energy needs in the future, and the need for greater energy
efficiency to reduce our energy use and decrease fuel poverty.
2. Welcomes the proposals by the UK Government
for communities to have the chance to buy a stake in their local renewable
electricity scheme.
3. Regrets the findings within the Welsh
Government’s Ynni’r Fro Mid-term Evaluation that ‘achievement against the
targets for energy generation, reductions in greenhouse emissions and job
creation has been minimal to date’.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to do more to
support community energy and energy efficiency by:
a) ensuring that microgeneration projects are
considered with a presumption in favour of development;
b) providing a model legal and business
framework for Community-Owned Renewable Energy Co-Operatives to reduce the
legal costs and complexity for communities wishing to establish their own;
c) ensuring that the advice and support offered
by Ynni’r Fro Technical Development Officers continues beyond the existing
programme;
d) creating a library of resources to support
community groups in applying for support for community generation projects; and
e) working with education providers to ensure climate change and education
policies fully recognise the role of education and schools in delivering
behaviour change, and bring more understanding of ecological issues into our
schools.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
47 |
52 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
In point 2, delete ‘Welcomes’ and replace with‘Notes’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
36 |
0 |
16 |
52 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
In point 3, delete ‘Regrets’ and replace with‘Notes’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised
his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was
not agreed.
Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new sub-point at end of point 4:
establishing a community energy fund, based on the successful Community
Energy Scotland programme, to provide loan finance to local communities wishing
to set up community energy projects which would be written off if unsuccessful.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
41 |
0 |
11 |
52 |
Amendment 3 was agreed.
Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new sub-point at end of point 4:
considering rolling out a nationwide retrofitting programme to drastically
cut Wales’s energy consumption.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 4 was agreed.
Amendment 5 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the economic, social and environmental benefits that can be achieved
within a single community-owned generational project.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 5 was agreed.
Amendment 6 - Paul Davies (Preseli
Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Calls on the Welsh Government to provide Community Energy Wales with
public funding to facilitate such community projects.
A vote was taken on Amendment 6:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
52 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
Amendment 6 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5530 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for
Wales:
1. Recognises the importance of microgeneration
and community-owned generation to the development of a diverse energy mix to
provide for Wales’ energy needs in the future, and the need for greater energy
efficiency to reduce our energy use and decrease fuel poverty.
2. Notes the proposals by the UK Government for
communities to have the chance to buy a stake in their local renewable
electricity scheme.
3. Regrets the findings within the Welsh
Government’s Ynni’r Fro Mid-term Evaluation that ‘achievement against the
targets for energy generation, reductions in greenhouse emissions and job
creation has been minimal to date’.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to do more to
support community energy and energy efficiency by:
a) ensuring that microgeneration projects are
considered with a presumption in favour of development;
b) providing a model legal and business
framework for Community-Owned Renewable Energy Co-Operatives to reduce the
legal costs and complexity for communities wishing to establish their own;
c) ensuring that the advice and support offered
by Ynni’r Fro Technical Development Officers continues beyond the existing
programme;
d) creating a library of resources to support community
groups in applying for support for community generation projects;
e) working with education providers to ensure climate change and education
policies fully recognise the role of education and schools in delivering
behaviour change, and bring more understanding of ecological issues into our
schools;
f) establishing a community energy fund, based on the successful Community
Energy Scotland programme, to provide loan finance to local communities wishing
to set up community energy projects which would be written off if unsuccessful;
and
g) considering rolling out a nationwide retrofitting programme to
drastically cut Wales’s energy consumption.
5. Notes the economic, social and environmental benefits that can be
achieved within a single community-owned generational project.
6. Calls on the Welsh Government to provide Community Energy Wales with
public funding to facilitate such community projects.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
41 |
0 |
11 |
52 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
11/06/2014 - Dadl Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru
The item started at 17.20
Voting on the motion and amendments
under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without
amendment:
NDM5524 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for
Wales:
1. Supports Carers Week 2014 which recognises
and celebrates the contribution of more than 370,000 unpaid carers in Wales,
who provide invaluable support to family members and friends.
2. Notes the growing evidence on the incredibly
demanding role of caring, which can have an adverse impact on the health,
employment opportunities, social and leisure activities of those providing
unpaid care.
3. Notes the findings of the 2013 ‘Prepared to
Care?’report which found that 75 per cent of carers were unprepared for a
caring role and 81 per cent were not aware of the support available, which
often leaves carers feeling vulnerable and isolated.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) support an awareness campaign to encourage
self-identification and access to support and improve public understanding of
the role of carers;
b) develop information for employers to support
workers seeking to balance their work and caring roles; and
c) work with education providers to provide more flexible provision to
enable carers of all ages to access opportunities for education and training.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
38 |
0 |
11 |
49 |
The motion without amendment was agreed.
07/05/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.11
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was
deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5499 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for
Wales:
1. Notes the publication of the Welsh Liberal
Democrat report 'Powering Wales’ Future'.
2. Regrets that politically conservative
parties across the UK are increasingly denying the overwhelming evidence which
substantiates climate change.
3. Recognises that a sustainable low carbon
future can be achieved through an ambitious change in how we generate energy.
4. Acknowledges that a smart and diverse grid
network is essential for ensuring that our future energy needs can be met in a
reliable and sustainable manner.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) review Technical Advice Note 8 to permit
updates which reflect technological improvements and the development of new
Strategic Search Areas, to encourage new projects and reduce existing
concentrations;
b) work with industry to develop regional
community benefit schemes, so that communities along transportation and grid
corridors can benefit from the economic investments which come with renewables;
c) maximise the economic benefits of renewables
by working with developers and educational institutions to expand supply chains
and centres of excellence for the next generation of engineers and apprentices;
d) explore the development of Marine Energy
Hubs to provide a safe environment to manufacture and test emergent marine
technologies to help Wales gain a competitive advantage;
e) focus public support for research into large
scale electrical storage technology such as batteries;
f) explore the potential of developing new
pumped storage facilities so that more energy can be stored for peak time usage
and ensure a stable supply of low carbon electricity; and
g) develop new technical advice for hydraulic fracturing, including test
drilling, to ensure that safety and environmental protection can be guaranteed
to the highest standards.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
43 |
48 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli
Pembrokeshire)
Delete point 2 and replace with “Notes that there are people across all
aspects of society who will continue to question the rationale behind changes
in our global climate”.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
11 |
0 |
37 |
48 |
Amendment 1 was not agreed.
Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In point 2, delete ‘politically conservative parties across the UK are’
and replace with ‘the UK Government is’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
32 |
0 |
16 |
48 |
Amendment 2 was agreed.
Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert as new point 3 and renumber accordingly:
Regrets the restrictions placed on the competence of the National Assembly
for Wales in the field of energy.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
11 |
0 |
48 |
Amendment 3 was agreed.
Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert as new sub-point 5b) and renumber
accordingly:
explore the potential of establishing a publicly-owned,
not-for-distributable-profit, arm’s length energy company
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
48 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
Amendment 4 was agreed.
Amendment 5 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
Delete sub-point 5g
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
25 |
0 |
23 |
48 |
Amendment 5 was agreed.
Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new sub-point at end of point 5:
fund a nation-wide retrofitting scheme to cut energy consumption and lower
energy bills for consumers
A vote was taken on Amendment 6:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
11 |
0 |
48 |
Amendment 6 was agreed.
Amendment 7 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add as new sub-point at end of point 5:
publish any research into the feasibility of building a grid connection
between the north and south of Wales
A vote was taken on Amendment 7:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
48 |
0 |
0 |
48 |
Amendment 7 was agreed.
Amendment 8 - Paul Davies (Preseli
Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Believes that the Welsh Government must support and invest in a variety of
renewable energy forms to achieve key climate change objectives and notes that
there are enough onshore wind farm applications in the planning pipeline to
fulfil UK renewable energy targets
A vote was taken on Amendment 8:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
11 |
7 |
30 |
48 |
Amendment 8 was not agreed.
Amendment 9 - Paul Davies (Preseli
Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Believes the Planning Bill should give local communities more power to
accept or reject particular renewable energy schemes to best fit their
locality.
A vote was taken on Amendment 9:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
18 |
5 |
25 |
48 |
Amendment 9 was not agreed.
A vote was taken on the
motion as amended:
NDM5499 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for
Wales:
1. Notes the publication of the Welsh Liberal
Democrat report 'Powering Wales’ Future'.
2. Regrets that the UK Government is increasingly
denying the overwhelming evidence which substantiates climate change.
3. Regrets the restrictions placed on the
competence of the National Assembly for Wales in the field of energy
4. Recognises that a sustainable low carbon
future can be achieved through an ambitious change in how we generate energy.
5. Acknowledges that a smart and diverse grid
network is essential for ensuring that our future energy needs can be met in a
reliable and sustainable manner.
6. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) review Technical Advice Note 8 to permit
updates which reflect technological improvements and the development of new
Strategic Search Areas, to encourage new projects and reduce existing
concentrations;
b) explore the potential of establishing a publicly-owned,
not-for-distributable-profit, arm’s length energy company
c) work with industry to develop regional
community benefit schemes, so that communities along transportation and grid
corridors can benefit from the economic investments which come with renewables;
d) maximise the economic benefits of renewables
by working with developers and educational institutions to expand supply chains
and centres of excellence for the next generation of engineers and apprentices;
e) explore the development of Marine Energy
Hubs to provide a safe environment to manufacture and test emergent marine
technologies to help Wales gain a competitive advantage;
f) focus public support for research into large
scale electrical storage technology such as batteries;
g) explore the potential of developing new
pumped storage facilities so that more energy can be stored for peak time usage
and ensure a stable supply of low carbon electricity;
h) fund a nation-wide retrofitting scheme to cut energy consumption and
lower energy bills for consumers; and
i) publish any research into the feasibility of building a grid connection
between the north and south of Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
32 |
5 |
11 |
48 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
02/04/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.53
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was
deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5485 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National
Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that 1 in 10 children and
adolescents will experience a mental health issue and recognises the importance
of early intervention to support young people in reaching their full potential.
2. Regrets the failure of the
Welsh Government to address key findings from the 2009 review of Children and
Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and notes the significant concerns
within the 2013 follow up review of safety issues.
3. Regrets that over the past
year, the number of vulnerable young people in Wales waiting more than 14 weeks
to access child and adolescent psychiatric services has almost quadrupled, from
199 in January 2013 to 736 in January 2014.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government
to:
a) address the inequitable
variation in the availability and accessibility of CAMHS in Wales;
b) investigate the waiting times
between a child or young person’s first assessment with CAMHS and their
subsequent service referral;
c) review the governance
arrangements for CAMHS inpatient units and out of area placements;
d) routinely publish readmission
statistics to help inform trends in the patient discharging system;
e) ensure that all clinical staff
within CAMHS have undertaken appropriate safeguarding checks;
f) establish a firmer procedure
for health boards to report on inappropriate placements on adult mental health
wards;
g) clarify the status of the
National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services;
h) consider the introduction of mental
health education within the school curriculum to raise awareness and help
address issues of stigma; and
i) introduce a national framework
to ensure continuity of treatment in the transition between CAMHS and Adult
Mental Health Services, including a streamlined information sharing system
between providers.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
12 |
0 |
37 |
49 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
Delete all after point 1 and
replace with:
2. Recognises the steps being
taken by successive Welsh Governments to improve mental health services for
young people; and
3. Reaffirms the partnership
approach, which sees Welsh Government, health, education, local government and
the third sector working together as partners to address the continuing
challenges of providing effective services in this area.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
25 |
8 |
16 |
49 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert as new point 2 and renumber
accordingly:
Notes that the Children's
Commissioner has repeatedly expressed concern about support services for
children and adolescents with mental health issues.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
49 |
0 |
0 |
49 |
Amendment 2 was agreed.
Amendment 3 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Regrets that real term cuts to the
health budget have the potential to hinder the ability of Welsh Local Health
Boards to deliver improvements in CAMHS.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
12 |
0 |
37 |
49 |
Amendment 3 was not agreed.
Amendment 4 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the commitment of the Welsh
Government to ring-fence spending on mental health services and calls upon the
Minister for Health and Social Services to publish information to demonstrate
that it is monitoring and delivering this commitment and how it is impacting
upon CAMHS services.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
49 |
0 |
0 |
49 |
Amendment 4 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion
as amended:
NDM5485 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National
Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that 1 in 10 children and
adolescents will experience a mental health issue and recognises the importance
of early intervention to support young people in reaching their full potential.
2. Notes that the Children's
Commissioner has repeatedly expressed concern about support services for
children and adolescents with mental health issues.
3. Recognises the steps being
taken by successive Welsh Governments to improve mental health services for
young people; and
4. Reaffirms the partnership
approach, which sees Welsh Government, health, education, local government and
the third sector working together as partners to address the continuing challenges
of providing effective services in this area.
5. Notes the commitment of the
Welsh Government to ring-fence spending on mental health services and calls
upon the Minister for Health and Social Services to publish information to
demonstrate that it is monitoring and delivering this commitment and how it is
impacting upon CAMHS services.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
25 |
4 |
20 |
49 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
12/03/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.59
Voting on the motion and amendment under
this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without
amendment:
NDM5450 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that safe and affordable public
transport is key to enabling young people to access work, education, training
and apprenticeships.
2. Regrets that the affordability of public
transport acts as a significant barrier for part-time workers and to the
post-16 choices of young people.
3. Welcomes the steps taken by some local
authorities in Wales to introduce a concessionary fare scheme for young people
but regrets that significant variability in concessions leads to a postcode
lottery of affordable transport for young travellers.
4. Recognises the achievements of community
transport schemes including Bwcabus and Grass Routes in providing accessible
and flexible transport for local communities.
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) work with bus operators to introduce a
national concessionary fare scheme for young people through a new ‘young
travellers’ rate for 16-18 year olds and students;
b) examine the feasibility of a season ticket for
part-time workers;
c) explore the potential for extending community
transport schemes such as Bwcabus and Grass Routes in rural areas; and
d) examine ways to develop a low carbon network
of public transport in Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
43 |
0 |
12 |
55 |
The motion without amendment was agreed.
19/02/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item
started at 16.53
Voting on the motion and amendments
under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without
amendment:
NDM5439
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises that affordable, accessible and high quality
childcare can be the key to a stronger economy and fairer society, enabling
parents to return to work, reducing child poverty and giving children the best
start in life.
2. Welcomes the positive action being taken by the UK
Government including £1 billion investment in childcare to increase free early
education for all 3 and 4 year olds and extended to 2 year olds from low income
families, the introduction of tax free childcare for working families and new
rights on shared parental leave.
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) review the system of pre-school childcare entitlement in
light of enhanced provision in England;
b) examine the effectiveness of Flying Start on parenting and
child development outcomes and the inequality in Welsh medium early years
provision;
c) assess whether local authorities are fully utilising
funding for the statutory provision of an early years education place for 3-4
year olds;
d) examine ways to improve childcare supply across all ages,
in particular wraparound and holiday childcare schemes;
e) provide clarity for parents on eligibility for childcare
schemes in Wales in light of recent UK Government policy developments; and
f) introduce a single online source of information to help
new parents with information about childcare services and entitlements and how
to access them.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
16 |
0 |
38 |
54 |
The motion without amendment not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In point 1 delete all after ‘child poverty and’ and replace
with ‘helping children to get the best start in life.’
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
0 |
17 |
54 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amednment
2 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
Delete point 2 and replace with:
Notes the failure of the UK Government to take action on tax credits
for childcare this side of the general election, expresses serious concern at
their shift of resources away from families in greatest need and further notes
the decimation of the Sure Start programme in England with the closure of over
500 centres.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
27 |
10 |
17 |
54 |
Amendment 2 was agreed.
As amendment 2 was agreed, amendment 3 was de-selected.
Amendment 4 was not moved.
Amendment 5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Delete sub-point 3a) and replace
with ‘assess the system of pre-school childcare entitlement’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
0 |
17 |
54 |
Amendment 5 was agreed.
Amendment 6 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In sub-point 3e) delete all after
‘Wales’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 6:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
0 |
17 |
54 |
Amendment 6 was agreed.
Amendment
7 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Delete sub-point 3f).
A vote was taken on Amendment 7:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
49 |
0 |
5 |
54 |
Amendment 7 was agreed.
As amendment 7 was agreed, amendment 8 was de-selected.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5439
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises that affordable, accessible and high quality childcare
can be the key to a stronger economy and fairer society, enabling parents to
return to work, reducing child poverty and helping children to get the best
start in life.
2. Notes the failure of the UK Government to take action on
tax credits for childcare this side of the general election, expresses serious
concern at their shift of resources away from families in greatest need and
further notes the decimation of the Sure Start programme in England with the
closure of over 500 centres.
3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) assess the system
of pre-school childcare entitlement;
b) examine the effectiveness of Flying Start on parenting and
child development outcomes and the inequality in Welsh medium early years
provision;
c) assess whether local authorities are fully utilising
funding for the statutory provision of an early years education place for 3-4
year olds;
d) examine ways to improve childcare supply across all ages,
in particular wraparound and holiday childcare schemes; and
e) provide clarity for parents on eligibility for childcare
schemes in Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
5 |
12 |
54 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
29/01/2014 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.51
Voting on the motion and amendments
under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without
amendment:
NDM5417
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes the findings of the School Food Plan that free
school meals for all children in primary schools would lead to positive
improvements in health, educational attainment and social cohesion and help
families with the cost of living.
2. Notes that in Wales only 21% of infants currently receive
a free school meal and only around 24% of primary age pupils in 2012-13 took a
free school breakfast.
3. Notes that Wales will receive over £62m of Barnett
consequential revenue funding for 2014-16 and over £4m of capital funding in
2014-15 following the announcement by the UK Government on free school meals
for all infant age pupils in England.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to use the Barnett
consequential to introduce universal free school meals for infants in Wales, so
that all infants can receive a hot, healthy school lunch to boost pupil health,
education and well-being.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
49 |
54 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In point 1, delete all after ‘School Food Plan’ and replace
with ‘that well-nourished children fare better at school’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
44 |
54 |
Amendment 1 was not agreed.
Amendment
2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
In point 4, delete all after ‘Barnett consequential’ and
replace with ‘in the most effective and proven way to improve standards and well-being
and to publish a programme of its intentions for all school meals provision’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
44 |
54 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
As the Assembly has not agreed the motion without amendment,
and has not agreed the amendments tabled to the motion, the motion is therefore
not agreed.
11/12/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.10
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was
deferred until Voting Time.
A
vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5387 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the important role of the Wales Audit Office
in:
a) providing high quality, independent and comprehensive
scrutiny of government activities and expenditure;
b) supporting effective and accountable public services;
c) sharing good practice and identifying improvements to
public service delivery; and
d) helping to ensure the best value for money for the people
of Wales.
2. Notes the findings of successive reports published by the
Wales Audit Office, which highlight significant failings in the governance
arrangements and delivery of key public services, including AWEMA; the Caldicot
and Wentlooge Levels Internal Drainage Board; the River Lodge Hotel,
Unscheduled Care; Higher Education Finances and NHS Finances.
3. Notes the on-going investigation into the Regeneration
Investment Fund For Wales, the decision by the Minister to disband this body
and to return European funding to WEFO, and the subsequent impact on a number
of regeneration projects seeking funding from RIFW.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) conduct a thorough
review of all external funding to restore public and investor confidence in the
ability of the Welsh Government to monitor and regulate Welsh Government
funding;
b) publish the monitoring regime in place in respect of its
grant management policy and report annually to the National Assembly on its
outcomes; and
c) develop a robust and transparent procedure to more
effectively address the substantial and specific failings in Welsh Government
policy highlighted by Wales Audit Office reports.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
48 |
53 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - William Graham
(South Wales East)
In sub-point 1c) after ‘delivery’ insert ‘including via
the work of its Good Practice Exchange’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
53 |
0 |
0 |
53 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - William Graham
(South Wales East)
In point 2, delete all after ‘key public services’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
21 |
0 |
32 |
53 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
Amendment 3 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Delete sub-point 4a) and
replace with:
review the funding it
provides to Welsh public bodies and other organisations to ensure that the
public can be confident that it is being effectively managed, monitored and
evaluated;A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
21 |
0 |
32 |
53 |
Amendment 3 was not agreed.
Amendment 4 - William Graham
(South Wales East)
In sub-point 4c) delete ‘in Welsh Government policy’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
21 |
0 |
32 |
53 |
Amendment 4 was not agreed.
Amendment 5 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Add new point at the end of
the motion:
Welcomes the joint working
between the Wales Audit Office and other inspectorates and notes that this has
the ability to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their work.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
53 |
0 |
0 |
53 |
Amendment 5 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the
motion as amended:
NDM5387 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the important role of the Wales Audit Office
in:
a) providing high quality, independent and comprehensive
scrutiny of government activities and expenditure;
b) supporting effective and accountable public services;
c) sharing good practice and identifying improvements to
public service delivery; including via the work of its Good Practice Exchange
and
d) helping to ensure the best value for money for the people
of Wales.
2. Notes the findings of successive reports published by the
Wales Audit Office, which highlight significant failings in the governance
arrangements and delivery of key public services, including AWEMA; the Caldicot
and Wentlooge Levels Internal Drainage Board; the River Lodge Hotel,
Unscheduled Care; Higher Education Finances and NHS Finances.
3. Notes the on-going investigation into the Regeneration
Investment Fund For Wales, the decision by the Minister to disband this body
and to return European funding to WEFO, and the subsequent impact on a number
of regeneration projects seeking funding from RIFW.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) conduct a thorough
review of all external funding to restore public and investor confidence in the
ability of the Welsh Government to monitor and regulate Welsh Government
funding;
b) publish the monitoring regime in place in respect of its
grant management policy and report annually to the National Assembly on its
outcomes; and
c) develop a robust and transparent procedure to more
effectively address the substantial and specific failings in Welsh Government
policy highlighted by Wales Audit Office reports.
5. Welcomes the joint working between the Wales Audit Office
and other inspectorates and notes that this has the ability to improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of their work.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
The motion as amended not agreed.
13/11/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.47
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5354
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises that the SME sector accounts for 73% of all employment in rural
areas and that small and medium sized enterprises play a vital role in the
sustainable economic growth of rural areas, in stimulating innovation and
advancement and helping to address the key challenges of unemployment, rural to
urban migration and poverty.
2.
Notes that lack of access to finance impedes the potential role of SMEs in
rural economic development.
3.
Notes the particular challenges in the uptake of apprenticeships in SMEs.
4.
Notes that the digital divide in broadband and mobile coverage hinders the
competitiveness and accessibility of businesses in rural areas.
5.
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a)
examine a community bank structure to sustain the presence of local banks in
rural communities, and to work with credit unions to increase lending to
businesses;
b)
work with businesses in the agricultural, renewable energy and tourism sectors
to identify ways to overcome barriers to increasing the supply of rural
apprenticeships;
c)
make universal access to broadband an obligation for providers and to work with
Ofcom and network operators to investigate the shared provision of
infrastructure in rural areas to maximise coverage.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
49 |
54 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert
at end of point 2:
'and
notes the inability of Finance Wales to offer finance to SMEs at competitive
rates'
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
28 |
54 |
Amendment 1 was not
agreed.
Amendment
2 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert
at end of point 3:
'and
recognises the positive steps taken through the 2013/14 budget agreement on apprenticeships
between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government.'
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
5 |
12 |
54 |
Amendment 2 was
agreed.
Amendment
3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add
as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:
Regrets
the negative impact on the rural economy of the mis-selling
of interest rate hedging products by high street banks.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
54 |
0 |
0 |
54 |
Amendment 3 was
agreed.
Amendment
4 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Insert
as new point 4 and renumber accordingly:
Further
notes the points detailed in the Enterprise and Business Committee report on
apprenticeships in rural areas.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
54 |
0 |
0 |
54 |
Amendment 4 was
agreed.
Amendment
5 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Add
as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:
Believes
that the cost of fuel in rural areas has a negative impact on the rural
economy, and regrets that the UK Government’s application for an extension to
the Rural Fuel Rebate did not include any Welsh areas.
A vote was taken on Amendment 5:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
17 |
0 |
54 |
Amendment 5 was
agreed.
Amendment
6 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Insert
as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:
Notes
that effective rural transport infrastructure is a lifeline for rural
communities and essential for stimulating economic development and tackling
rural isolation.
A vote was taken on Amendment 6:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
54 |
0 |
0 |
54 |
Amendment 6 was
agreed.
Amendment
7 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Insert
as new point 5 and renumber accordingly:
Recognises
the burden of business rates on rural SMEs and calls on the Welsh Government to
introduce further business rate relief for small businesses across Wales.
A vote was taken on Amendment 7:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
28 |
54 |
Amendment 7 was not
agreed.
Amendment
8 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Insert
as new sub-point 5b) and renumber accordingly:
‘examine
the benefits to rural SMEs of establishing a publicly owned, arm's length, not-for
dividend business bank, to offer finance at competitive rates to Welsh SMEs.’
A vote was taken on Amendment 8:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
5 |
12 |
54 |
Amendment 8 was
agreed.
Amendment
9 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
Delete
sub-point 5c.
A vote was taken on Amendment 9:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
28 |
0 |
26 |
54 |
Amendment 9 was
agreed.
As amendment 9 was
agreed, amendment 10 was deselected.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5354 Aled
Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises that the SME sector accounts for 73% of all employment in rural
areas and that small and medium sized enterprises play a vital role in the
sustainable economic growth of rural areas, in stimulating innovation and
advancement and helping to address the key challenges of unemployment, rural to
urban migration and poverty.
2.
Notes that lack of access to finance impedes the potential role of SMEs in rural
economic development.
3.
Notes the particular challenges in the uptake of apprenticeships in SMEs and
recognises the positive steps taken through the 2013/14 budget agreement on
apprenticeships between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government.
4.
Regrets the negative impact on the rural economy of the mis-selling
of interest rate hedging products by high street banks.
5.
Further notes the points detailed in the Enterprise and Business Committee
report on apprenticeships in rural areas
6.
Believes that the cost of fuel in rural areas has a negative impact on the
rural economy, and regrets that the UK Government’s application for an
extension to the Rural Fuel Rebate did not include any Welsh areas.
7.
Notes that effective rural transport infrastructure is a lifeline for rural
communities and essential for stimulating economic development and tackling
rural isolation.
8.
Notes that the digital divide in broadband and mobile coverage hinders the
competitiveness and accessibility of businesses in rural areas.
9.
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a)
examine a community bank structure to sustain the presence of local banks in
rural communities, and to work with credit unions to increase lending to
businesses;
b)
examine the benefits to rural SMEs of establishing a publicly owned, arm's
length, not-for dividend business bank, to offer finance at competitive rates
to Welsh SMEs.
c)
work with businesses in the agricultural, renewable energy and tourism sectors
to identify ways to overcome barriers to increasing the supply of rural
apprenticeships;
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
42 |
0 |
12 |
54 |
The
motion as amended was agreed.
02/10/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.50
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5313
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Notes with concern that:
a)
Wales has the largest proportion of premises in potential not-spots, and the
lowest availability of superfast broadband services in the UK;
b)
the recent rationalisation and decommissioning of
mobile masts has resulted in many customers facing a frustrating loss or
degradation of mobile signal.
2.
Believes that broadband and mobile services play an integral and ever expanding
role in the lives of Welsh consumers and citizens and that a lack of access to
digital infrastructure is a hindrance to social, economic and cultural
development, noting in particular that:
a)
according to a recent Estyn
report ‘The impact of ICT on pupils’ learning in primary schools’, around half
the schools surveyed say that the poor quality of the internet connection
hinders their ICT work;
b)
the Welsh Affairs Committee report ‘Broadband services
in Wales’ expresses concern that the existence of broadband not-spots and slowspots, particularly in rural areas, has hindered local
businesses at a cost to the local economy;
c)
the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report ‘Rural Communities’
notes that households in rural areas are less likely to take up schemes that
may reduce fuel costs, such as cheaper tariffs or energy efficiency schemes, due
to a lack of broadband access; and
d)
the Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities
has said that poor web coverage is a factor in pushing young people out of
rural areas.
3.
Regrets the problems experienced by the Welsh Government’s Regional Innovative
Broadband Support Scheme and calls on the Welsh Government to:
a)
ensure that the Access Broadband Cymru scheme is
widely advertised and does not experience the same issues;
b)
examine the planning system to ensure that planning
rules support the development of digital infrastructure;
c)
examine what support can be offered to businesses to
improve their ability to compete worldwide through better access to digital
services; and
d)
investigate recent problems with mobile signal and
work with network providers to ensure these issues are addressed and coverage
is maximised across Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
13 |
0 |
37 |
50 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Insert
as new point 2c and renumber accordingly:
the rise of online shopping
has contributed to the challenges faced by the high street, however recognises
the potential of the internet as a source for high street regeneration;
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
50 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
Amendment 1 was
agreed.
Amendment
2 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Add
as new sub-point at the end of point 2:
the increasing
digitalisation of farm administration and the impact this has on farmers who
suffer from poor broadband coverage.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
49 |
0 |
0 |
49 |
Amendment 2 was
agreed.
Amendment
3 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Insert
as new point 3a and renumber accordingly:
guarantee that during the rollout
of the Superfast Cymru scheme BT ensures that premises which do not qualify for
connection will be notified accordingly in a timely manner;
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
26 |
50 |
Amendment 3 was not
agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5313
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Notes with concern that:
a)
Wales has the largest proportion of premises in potential not-spots, and the
lowest availability of superfast broadband services in the UK;
b)
the recent rationalisation and decommissioning of
mobile masts has resulted in many customers facing a frustrating loss or
degradation of mobile signal.
2.
Believes that broadband and mobile services play an integral and ever expanding
role in the lives of Welsh consumers and citizens and that a lack of access to
digital infrastructure is a hindrance to social, economic and cultural
development, noting in particular that:
a)
according to a recent Estyn
report ‘The impact of ICT on pupils’ learning in primary schools’, around half
the schools surveyed say that the poor quality of the internet connection
hinders their ICT work;
b)
the Welsh Affairs Committee report ‘Broadband services
in Wales’ expresses concern that the existence of broadband not-spots and slowspots, particularly in rural areas, has hindered local
businesses at a cost to the local economy;
c)
the rise of online shopping has contributed to the
challenges faced by the high street, however recognises the potential of the
internet as a source for high street regeneration;
d)
the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee report ‘Rural Communities’
notes that households in rural areas are less likely to take up schemes that may
reduce fuel costs, such as cheaper tariffs or energy efficiency schemes, due to
a lack of broadband access; and
e)
the Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities
has said that poor web coverage is a factor in pushing young people out of
rural areas.
f)
the increasing digitalisation of farm administration
and the impact this has on farmers who suffer from poor broadband coverage.
3.
Regrets the problems experienced by the Welsh Government’s Regional Innovative
Broadband Support Scheme and calls on the Welsh Government to:
a)
ensure that the Access Broadband Cymru scheme is
widely advertised and does not experience the same issues;
b)
examine the planning system to ensure that planning
rules support the development of digital infrastructure;
c)
examine what support can be offered to businesses to
improve their ability to compete worldwide through better access to digital
services; and
d)
investigate recent problems with mobile signal and
work with network providers to ensure these issues are addressed and coverage
is maximised across Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
24 |
0 |
26 |
50 |
The
motion as amended was not agreed.
25/09/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.03
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5306
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises the importance of the Pupil Deprivation Grant in helping to break
the link between poverty and educational underachievement, and close the
attainment gap between pupils from disadvantaged and more advantaged
backgrounds.
2.
Notes the recent research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats into the impact of the
Pupil Deprivation Grant in Wales, which:
a)
indicates that the funding is having a positive impact
on the attainment levels of children from poorer backgrounds and improving
confidence and attendance; and
b)
examines ways to improve the grant in the future.
3.
Notes that funding for the Pupil Premium in England has increased year on year,
from £488 per eligible pupil in 2011-12 to £1300 for 2014-15 compared to £450
per eligible pupil in Wales.
4.
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a)
substantially increase the Pupil Deprivation Grant
funding per pupil in the next budget;
b)
examine the benefits of extending the Pupil
Deprivation Grant to pupils under the age of 5;
c)
ensure that guidance on the grant is clear and concise
and prioritise the development of a Sutton Trust Toolkit for Wales;
d)
provide certainty over the future of the Pupil
Deprivation Grant and timely information on individual allocations to schools;
e)
encourage schools to have a clear policy for robust
monitoring and appraisal whilst ensuring that the process is not overly
bureaucratic; and
f)
establish a fairer funding formula which ensures that
funding accurately reflects the number of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
being supported by Pupil Deprivation Grant funding.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
9 |
40 |
54 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Insert
as new point 2 a) and renumber accordingly:
Regrets the lack of
clarity with regard to the understanding and implementation of the Pupil
Deprivation Grant across the surveyed schools.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
27 |
0 |
28 |
55 |
As required by
Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by
voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.
As the Assembly did not
agree the motion without amendment, and did not agree the amendment tabled to
the motion, the motion is therefore not agreed.
12/06/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.54
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5265
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer to employers through the
provision of a committed, efficient, skilled and motivated workforce and notes
that the average person completing an apprenticeship increases business
productivity by £214 per week.
2.
Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer for young people to develop
their skills, gain recognised qualifications, earn a higher salary and secure
more stable job opportunities, as many employers rely on apprenticeships to
provide the skilled workers they need for the future.
3.
Regrets that between 2006/7 and 2010/11 the number of people on apprenticeship
placements in Wales fell by more than 25%.
4.
Calls on the Welsh Government to widen access to apprenticeships by:
a)
developing a school liaison programme to increase the
prominence of apprenticeships in the provision of career advice to young
people;
b)
establishing an Apprenticeship Ambassadors scheme to
promote positive role models;
c)
improving the visibility of competitions to celebrate
excellence in skills;
d)
trialling a UCAS-style single application process and
clearing house system to improve the parity of approach between career routes;
and
e)
creating a single information, application and support
system to streamline information provision and reduce drop-out and
disengagement rates.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
49 |
54 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)
Delete
points 3 and 4 and replace with:
Welcomes the agreement
between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to invest an extra £40 million of
additional funding towards apprenticeships over the next two years, creating
approximately 5,650 additional apprenticeship opportunities and 2,650
opportunities for higher level apprenticeships and including expansion of Welsh
language apprenticeship provision.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
38 |
0 |
16 |
54 |
Amendment 1 was
agreed.
As amendment 1 was
agreed, amendment 2 was de-selected.
Amendment
3 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Recognises
that young apprentices may need support at the end of their training to stay in
employment, as well as navigating employment contracts and regulations.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
54 |
0 |
0 |
54 |
Amendment 3 was
agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5265 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer to employers through the
provision of a committed, efficient, skilled and motivated workforce and notes
that the average person completing an apprenticeship increases business
productivity by £214 per week.
2.
Recognises the benefits that apprenticeships offer for young people to develop
their skills, gain recognised qualifications, earn a higher salary and secure
more stable job opportunities, as many employers rely on apprenticeships to
provide the skilled workers they need for the future.
3.
Welcomes the agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru to invest an extra £40 million of additional funding
towards apprenticeships over the next two years, creating approximately 5,650
additional apprenticeship opportunities and 2,650 opportunities for higher
level apprenticeships and including expansion of Welsh language apprenticeship
provision.
4. Recognises that young
apprentices may need support at the end of their training to stay in employment,
as well as navigating employment contracts and regulations.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
5 |
12 |
54 |
The
motion as amended was agreed.
01/05/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.45
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5228
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Believes that future support for school standards in Wales must focus on
allowing every pupil to reach their full potential and give schools the power
to drive standards up.
2.
Notes that analysis by the Institute of Welsh Affairs highlights that where schools
focus on the trajectory of its pupils as much as on their absolute standard of
attainment, with the appropriate use of internal evaluation and monitoring,
standards can be raised in schools on an individual pupil basis.
3.
Welcomes the commitment by the Welsh Government to ensure that Estyn reports on how effectively the Pupil Deprivation
Grant is being used by schools to narrow the attainment gap between pupils from
disadvantaged and more affluent backgrounds.
4.
Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a)
develop an individual pupil monitoring programme to
measure pupils’ progress, allowing schools to target efforts at those pupils
who are not meeting their potential
b)
substantially increase funding for the Pupil Deprivation Grant and ensure that
schools publicise how this funding has been spent, to encourage accountability,
effective targeting and the sharing of best practice; and
c)
reform the school banding system to ensure that it
measures school performance with regard to individual pupil performance, including
re-structuring the system to demonstrate how well schools are achieving in
supporting pupils to meet their own potential.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
4 |
0 |
44 |
48 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - William Graham (South Wales East)
In
point 1, after ‘pupil’ insert ‘, regardless of background or ability,’
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
50 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment
2 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)
In
point 1 add ‘and educational bodies’ after ‘give schools’
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
50 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
Amendment 2 was agreed.
Amendment
3 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Delete
point 3.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
12 |
0 |
38 |
50 |
Amendment 3 was not
agreed.
Amendment
4 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)
Delete
point 4.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
24 |
50 |
Amendment 4 was agreed.
As amendment 4 was agreed, amendments 5, 6,
7, 8, 9 and 10 were de-selected.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5228 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Believes that future support for school standards in Wales must focus on
allowing every pupil, regardless of background or ability, to reach their full
potential and give schools and educational bodies the power to drive standards
up.
2.
Notes that analysis by the Institute of Welsh Affairs highlights that where schools
focus on the trajectory of its pupils as much as on their absolute standard of
attainment, with the appropriate use of internal evaluation and monitoring,
standards can be raised in schools on an individual pupil basis.
3.
Welcomes the commitment by the Welsh Government to ensure that Estyn reports on how effectively the Pupil Deprivation
Grant is being used by schools to narrow the attainment gap between pupils from
disadvantaged and more affluent backgrounds.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
46 |
4 |
0 |
50 |
The
motion as amended was agreed.
17/04/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at: 17.27
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5204
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Believes that for too long the funding system for long-term care in the UK has
been inadequate, unfair and unsustainable and welcomes the UK Government’s
plans for reform.
2.
Recognises that the need to secure a sustainable system for paying for care in
Wales has never been more urgent, noting with concern that:
a)
more than eight out of ten people aged 65 or over will need some care and
support in their later lives and that the number of people in Wales aged 65 and
over is projected to double by 2035;
b)
there are currently estimated to be over 17,000 people
with dementia in Wales and this figure is predicted to rise by 31% over the
next 20 years;
c)
according to consumer research by the Association of
British Insurers, one in three people believe that ‘care is free like the NHS’
and that there is no point in planning for future long term care costs;
d)
one in ten families will be hit with care costs of
£100,000 or more in their lifetime, as highlighted by the Dilnot
Commission.
3.
Calls on the Welsh Government to outline the key principles that will underpin
a new care funding system in Wales and to clarify the Barnett consequential
that will result from the announcement on social care funding within the 2013
Spending Review.
4.
Calls on the Welsh Government to use the Dilnot
Commission recommendations as a basis for implementing urgent reform of funding
for social care in Wales, including to:
a)
ensure that people are protected from the high costs
of their social care;
b)
introduce a capped cost scheme and extend the means
testing threshold;
c)
extend the deferred payment scheme to all those who
are required to pay for residential care;
d)
introduce a National Eligibility Framework to improve
consistency of support;
e)
ensure that those entering adulthood with an existing
care and support need are eligible for free state support to meet their care
needs;
f)
improve the availability and accessibility of
information and support for people to understand their options and prepare and
plan for care costs.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
16 |
0 |
37 |
53 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Insert
as new point 1, and re-number accordingly:
‘Acknowledges the
failure of successive Assembly Governments to deliver equitable and affordable
support for vulnerable people with social care needs.’
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
12 |
0 |
42 |
54 |
Amendment 1 was not
agreed.
Amendment 2
- Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)
In
point 1, delete all after ‘unsustainable’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
44 |
54 |
Amendment 2 was not
agreed.
Amendment
3 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)
Delete
point 4 and replace with:
‘Calls
on the Welsh Government to:
a)
Establish a fairer interim solution to charges in social care that reflects the
needs of Wales within the current resources available.
b)
Ensure that the Social Services and Well-being Bill makes adequate financial
provision for the long term support of family and other informal carers.
c)
Ensure that social care can be sustainably funded, and believes that securing a
funding formula with the UK Government that reflects the needs of Wales will
help provide the resources required to achieve this.’
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
44 |
54 |
Amendment 3 was not
agreed.
As
the Assembly has not agreed the motion without amendment, and has not agreed
the amendments tabled to the motion, the motion is therefore NOT agreed.
13/03/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.25
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5188
Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1.
Expresses concern that patients in Wales are not able to access the newest and
most innovative medicines and treatments available to their counterparts across
the UK;
2.
Welcomes the creation of a Welsh Health Technology Fund but regrets the lack of
investment in new, innovative technologies from the £5million allocation for
the financial year 2012-2013;
3.
Notes that the pharmaceutical industry invested £4.4billion in UK research and
development in 2009 which is more than any other industry sector and believes
that NHS Wales needs an environment that is receptive to innovation in order to
compete effectively for clinical trials at a global level;
4.
Believes that spending on modern medicines should be viewed as an investment
rather than a cost and therefore regrets that in 2011 new medicines used in
primary care accounted for only 0.5% of total NHS expenditure in Wales; and
5.
Notes that Wales is forecast to gain savings of around £186million between
2011-2015 due to Loss of Exclusivity (LOE) and calls on the Welsh Government to
invest some of this money into the Health Technology Fund, to support
engagement with the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) and National
Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) so that more patients in
Wales can benefit from the latest medicines and treatments.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
14 |
0 |
36 |
50 |
The
motion without amendment was not agreed.
The
following amendments were tabled:
Amendment
1 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)
In
point 1, after ‘in Wales’ insert ‘, especially those with rare diseases,’.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
14 |
0 |
36 |
50 |
Amendment 1 was not
agreed.
Amendment
2 - William Graham (South Wales East)
In
point 2, delete all after ‘regrets’ and replace with:
a)
the lack of investment in new, innovative technologies
from the £5 million allocation for the financial year 2012-2013;
b)
that the Fund does not address the poor accessibility
of modern cancer treatments for Welsh patients when compared to other parts of
the UK.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
11 |
0 |
39 |
50 |
Amendment 2 was not
agreed.
Amendment
3 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Calls on the Welsh
Government to ensure that the Welsh Health Technology Fund extends access to
modern cancer treatments for patients in Wales.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
16 |
0 |
34 |
50 |
Amendment 3 was not
agreed.
Amendment
4 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Add
as new point at end of motion:
Notes
that the Welsh Government’s record-breaking real terms cuts to the Welsh NHS
budget have the potential to jeopardise the access to innovative medicines and
treatments for patients.
A vote was taken on Amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
11 |
0 |
39 |
50 |
Amendment 4 was not
agreed.
As the Assembly did
not agree the motion without amendment, and did not agree the amendments tabled
to the motion, the motion was therefore not agreed.
20/02/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.36
Voting
on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on
the motion without amendment:
NDM5167 Aled Roberts (North
Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that, according to Stats Wales, there are an
estimated 31,644 empty homes in Wales, with 23,287 classed as long-term empty
dwellings.
2. Welcomes the intention of the Welsh Government’s
‘Houses into Homes’ initiative, including the additional £5million invested
into the scheme as a result of the budget deal with the Welsh Liberal Democrats
in 2012-13.
3. Welcomes the progress in reducing the number of empty
homes in Wales by 2,000, but believes that more must be done to develop a
cohesive empty homes strategy which includes:
a) establishing a Welsh Empty
Homes website to share advice and guidance and raise the profile of the empty
homes initiative;
b) a full time equivalent Empty
Homes Officer in each local authority to drive forward the initiative;
c) simplifying the legislation
and procedures surrounding Empty Dwelling Management Orders and Compulsory
Purchase Orders;
d) updating empty homes good
practice guidance to local authorities’
e) allowing councils greater
flexibility to impose punitive council tax rates on long term empty homes;
f) encouraging the sharing of
best practice examples and facilitating partnership working between local
authorities; and
g) looking at an incentive
scheme for local councils for every long term private sector home brought back
into use, similar to the UK Government’s ‘New Homes Bonus Scheme’.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
29 |
0 |
17 |
46 |
The
motion without amendment was agreed.
09/01/2013 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The
item started at 16.55
NDM5130 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To
propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Supports
the electrification of the North Wales Coast Line.
The motion was agreed in
accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
21/11/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16:55
Voting on the
motion and amendment under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5097 Aled Roberts
(North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Calls on the Welsh Government to establish a system that allows the Ministerial Code to be policed independently of the Welsh Government and the National Assembly for Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by
Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by
voting against the motion without amendment. Therefore, the motion without
amendment was not agreed.
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1 - William
Graham (South Wales East)
Insert at the end of motion:
‘, with a clear timetable for consultation and implementation’
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
26 |
0 |
27 |
53 |
As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised
his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was
not agreed.
As the Assembly did not agree the motion without amendment, and
did not agree the amendment tabled to the motion, the motion was therefore not
agreed.
07/11/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17:17
Voting on the motion
was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5085 Aled Roberts
(North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Notes that:
a) the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee has not agreed a budget with the Wales Ambulance Service for the 2012/13 financial year, as of 31/10/2012;
b) the Welsh Ambulance Service is unable to prepare proper service plans due to a lack of financial clarity; and
c) for the last four successive months the Welsh Ambulance Service has failed to meet its all-Wales target of 65% of Category A (immediately life-threatening) calls receiving an ambulance response time within 8 minutes.
2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) ensure that the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee agrees a budget with the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust for the 2012/13 year as a matter of urgency;
b) outline the role of the Wales Ambulance Service Trust with regard to service reconfiguration and the impact that reconfiguration could have on their budget and performance;
c) urgently assess the support available to the Wales Ambulance Service so they can meet their agreed 65% response time targets; and
d) urgently review arrangements whereby the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a committee comprising representatives of all the Local Health Boards, has to agree the budget for another trust.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
31 |
41 |
The motion without
amendment was not agreed.
The following
amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Jane
Hutt (Vale of Vale of Glamorgan)
Delete point 1.
A vote was taken on amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
21 |
0 |
20 |
41 |
Amendment 1 was
agreed.
Amendment 2 - Aled
Roberts (North Wales)
In point 1a delete ‘has’ and replace with ‘had’
A vote was taken on amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
19 |
0 |
21 |
40 |
Amendment 2 was not
agreed.
Amendment 3 - Aled
Roberts (North Wales)
In point 1b delete ‘is’ and replace with ‘was’
A vote was taken on amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
20 |
0 |
21 |
41 |
Amendment 3 was not
agreed.
Amendment 4 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Vale of
Glamorgan)
Delete sub-point
2a.
A vote was taken on amendment 4:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
41 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
Amendment 4 was
agreed.
As amendment 4 was
moved, amendment 5 was de-selected.
Amendment 6 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)
Delete
sub-point 2d and replace with:
Calls on the
Minister to take responsibility for setting the Welsh Ambulance Service’s
budget.
A vote was taken on amendment 6:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
20 |
0 |
21 |
41 |
Amendment 6 was not
agreed.
Amendment 7 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Vale of Glamorgan)
Delete
sub-point 2d. and replace with: ‘continue to assess arrangements between the
Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, Local
Health Boards and WAST, to ensure robust governance and funding arrangements
remain in place.’
A vote was taken on amendment 7:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
21 |
0 |
19 |
40 |
Amendment 7 was
agreed.
Amendment 8 - William
Graham (South Wales East)
Add at the end of motion:
Notes the critical role played by the Wales Air Ambulance Service in assisting the Wales Ambulance Service to respond to emergencies in Wales.
A vote was taken on amendment 8:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
41 |
0 |
0 |
41 |
Amendment 8 was
agreed.
Amendment 9 - William
Graham (South Wales East)
Add at the end of motion:
Calls on the Welsh Government to work with the Wales Air Ambulance Service in the planning of emergency care and to provide adequate direct funding for those services, in order to assist the Wales Ambulance Service to meet its key objectives.
A vote was taken on amendment 9:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
20 |
0 |
21 |
41 |
Amendment 9 was not
agreed.
Amendment 10 -
William Graham (South Wales East)
Add at the end of motion:
Regrets that the Welsh NHS is facing the largest real-term health cuts of any of the UK nations and that this has the potential to have a detrimental impact on the Welsh Ambulance Service.
A vote was taken on amendment 10:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
6 |
25 |
41 |
Amendment 10 was not
agreed.
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5085 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) outline the role of the Wales Ambulance Service Trust
with regard to service reconfiguration and the impact that reconfiguration
could have on their budget and performance;
b) urgently assess the support available to the Wales
Ambulance Service so they can meet their agreed 65% response time targets; and
c) continue to assess arrangements between the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, Local Health Boards and WAST, to ensure robust governance and funding arrangements remain in place.
2. Notes the critical role played by the Wales Air Ambulance
Service in assisting the Wales Ambulance Service to respond to emergencies in
Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
31 |
0 |
10 |
41 |
The motion as amended
was agreed.
26/09/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16:21
Voting on the
motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5048 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Calls on the Welsh Government to establish an independent qualifications and examination regulator for Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
14 |
0 |
38 |
52 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following
amendment was tabled:
Amendment 1 - William Graham (South Wales East)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the importance of political
impartiality in the regulation of qualifications and examinations.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
51 |
0 |
0 |
51 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the
motion as amended:
NDM5048 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Calls on the Welsh Government to establish an independent qualifications and examination regulator for Wales.
Notes the importance of political
impartiality in the regulation of qualifications and examinations.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
25 |
0 |
27 |
52 |
The motion as amended was not agreed.
18/07/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.06
Voting on the motion
under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
NDM5043
Aled Roberts (North
Wales)
William Graham (South
Wales East)
Jocelyn Davies (South
Wales East)
The National Assembly for Wales has no confidence in the Minister for Health and Social Services.
The result was as follows:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
28 |
0 |
29 |
57 |
The motion was not
agreed.
20/06/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16.28.
Voting on the
motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5016 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Believes that:
a) there is no room for complacency in delivering maternity and neonatal services across Wales;
b) it is the responsibility of the Welsh Government to hold Local Health Boards to account through a meaningful mechanism for monitoring the quality of maternity and neonatal care across Wales;
c) there are new challenges facing Wales and that the social and economic context in which maternity and neonatal services operate is constantly changing;
d) every woman in Wales, irrespective of her location, social background, circumstances or ethnicity, should have access to, and receive, safe high quality maternity and neonatal care;
e) there has been a lack of significant improvement in maternity and neonatal Services since 1999; and
f) that the current statistics for neo-natal and maternity services are unacceptable.
2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) provide strong, strategic leadership to Local Health Boards throughout Wales to ensure that maternity and neonatal services improve;
b) ensure that any review of neo-natal services undertaken by Local Health Boards are endorsed by the Neonatal Network to ensure that any proposals do not compromise the provision of a comprehensive All-Wales service; and
c) ensure that any review of maternity services undertaken by Local Health Boards are endorsed by the All Wales Implementation Group to ensure that any proposals do not compromise the provision of a comprehensive All-Wales service.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
4 |
0 |
41 |
45 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Jane
Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
Delete sub-points 1e and 1f.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
23 |
7 |
15 |
45 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - Jocelyn
Davies (South Wales East)
Add as new sub-point at end of point 2:
undertake long term work force planning to ensure sufficient specialist staff are available for neonatal services throughout the country.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
45 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
Amendment 2 was agreed.
Amendment 3 - William
Graham (South Wales East)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Notes the Welsh Government’s record-breaking cuts to the Welsh National Health Service budget and that these have the potential to jeopardise any attempts to improve maternity and neonatal services across Wales.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
12 |
0 |
33 |
45 |
Amendment 3 was not agreed.
A vote was
taken on the motion as amended:
NDM5016 Aled Roberts (North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Believes that:
a) there is no room for complacency in delivering maternity and neonatal services across Wales;
b) it is the responsibility of the Welsh Government to hold Local Health Boards to account through a meaningful mechanism for monitoring the quality of maternity and neonatal care across Wales;
c) there are new challenges facing Wales and that the social and economic context in which maternity and neonatal services operate is constantly changing; and
d) every woman in Wales, irrespective of her location, social background, circumstances or ethnicity, should have access to, and receive, safe high quality maternity and neonatal care.
2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) provide strong, strategic leadership to Local Health Boards throughout Wales to ensure that maternity and neonatal services improve;
b) ensure that any review of neo-natal services undertaken by Local Health Boards are endorsed by the Neonatal Network to ensure that any proposals do not compromise the provision of a comprehensive All-Wales service;
c) ensure that any review of maternity services undertaken by Local Health Boards are endorsed by the All Wales Implementation Group to ensure that any proposals do not compromise the provision of a comprehensive All-Wales service; and
d) undertake long term work force planning to ensure sufficient specialist staff are available for neonatal services throughout the country.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
45 |
0 |
0 |
45 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
30/05/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17:01
Voting on the
motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM5001 Aled Roberts
(North Wales)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that its’ National Cancer Delivery Plan will:
a) enable as many people as possible to receive cancer treatment as close to their homes as possible;
b) provide for support for cancer patients who struggle to travel to their treatment centre; and
c) provide for financial and practical advice for cancer sufferers.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
35 |
0 |
22 |
57 |
The motion without amendment was agreed.
02/05/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16:51.
Voting on the
motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM4973 Peter Black
(South Wales West)
To propose that the national Assembly for Wales:
Welcomes the careful financial management of Welsh Liberal Democrat-led local authorities which has enabled them to keep council tax rises low over the last eight years.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
5 |
0 |
41 |
46 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following
amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - William
Graham (South Wales East)
Delete all and replace with
Encourages careful financial management on the part of all local authorities to enable them to implement a council tax freeze.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
36 |
46 |
Amendment 1 was not agreed.
Amendment 2 - William
Graham (South Wales East)
Add new point.
Regrets the failure of the Welsh Government to pass on the £38.9 million consequential in order to ensure a Wales-wide council tax freeze.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
10 |
0 |
36 |
46 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
As the
Assembly did not agree the motion without amendment, and did not agree the
amendments tabled to the motion, the motion was therefore not agreed.
21/03/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 17.35.
Voting on the
motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM4947 Peter Black
(South Wales West)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Regrets new statistics that show the GDP per capita of West Wales and the Valleys has fallen from 79% to 68.4% of the EU average;
2. Notes that those statistics have been measured on a consistent basis from year to year and across the different regions and nations of the EU; and
3. Calls on the Welsh government to publish an economic development strategy for West Wales and the Valleys as a matter of urgency, in order to ensure that should Wales qualify for an additional round of funding, projects focused on driving economic growth can begin immediately.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
17 |
0 |
33 |
50 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following
amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1- Jane
Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
Delete point 3 and replace with:
‘Notes that the Welsh Government in association with its partners, is preparing strategies and possible projects to be delivered in the impending Structural Funds 2014-2019 Programme period, together with the series of actions currently being undertaken to assist the economic recovery of West Wales & the Valleys and East Wales.’
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
33 |
0 |
17 |
50 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
Amendment 2 - William
Graham (South Wales East)
Add as new point at end of motion:
Acknowledges that a strong private sector is essential in order to encourage economic growth in the poorest parts of Wales.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
50 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
Amendment 2 was agreed.
A vote was
taken on the motion as amended:
NDM4947 Peter Black
(South Wales West)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Regrets new statistics that show the GDP per capita of West Wales and the Valleys has fallen from 79% to 68.4% of the EU average;
2. Notes that those statistics have been measured on a consistent basis from year to year and across the different regions and nations of the EU; and
3. Notes that the Welsh Government in association with its partners, is preparing strategies and possible projects to be delivered in the impending Structural Funds 2014-2019 Programme period, together with the series of actions currently being undertaken to assist the economic recovery of West Wales & the Valleys and East Wales.
4. Acknowledges that a strong private sector is essential in
order to encourage economic growth in the poorest parts of Wales.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
37 |
0 |
13 |
50 |
The motion as amended was agreed.
14/03/2012 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
The item started at 16:54.
Voting on the
motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:
NDM4939 Peter Black
(South Wales West)
The National Assembly for Wales:
1. Calls for:
a) the introduction of a deposit guarantee scheme in Wales to help first time buyers on to the housing ladder;
b) the active use of alternative funding methods such as bonds and building new homes at differing rent levels as a way of tackling the current deficit in affordable housing;
c) a Wales-wide empty homes programme to increase the number of empty properties returned to residential use with greater powers given to local authorities to bring empty properties back into use; and
d) greater powers to be given to local authorities to set council tax rates for empty properties and second homes in their areas.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
4 |
0 |
52 |
56 |
The motion without amendment was not agreed.
The following
amendments were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Jane
Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)
Delete all and replace with:
1. Notes:
a) the Welsh Government is considering the merits of a mortgage indemnity guarantee scheme to help first time buyers onto the housing ladder;
b) the Welsh Government is seeking to identify alternative funding sources to finance the building of more affordable homes;
c) the new national empty homes initiative "Houses into Homes" will assist local authorities in using their existing powers to maximum effect to tackle the problem of empty homes;
d) the Welsh Government will consider extending local authorities’ discretionary powers to vary council tax rates for empty properties and second homes in their areas; and
e). the challenges set out in the recent paper, published by the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, and the need for a consensus on the priorities to meet people's housing needs.
2. Believes that the UK Government’s proposed Welfare Reforms will have a direct impact on affordable housing, especially for those on low incomes, as highlighted in recent research by the Chartered Institute of Housing.
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
41 |