Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd/Zoom

Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones 

Expected timing: 294(v4) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 07/10/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

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

Llywydd Statement

The Llywydd made a statement reflecting on events during yesterday’s debate on the elimination of racial discrimination.

The Llywydd stated that many Members had expressed their frustration and disappointment at the manner in which one Member’s conduct disrupted proceedings and brought the Senedd into disrepute. The Llywydd stated that conduct of this nature by any Member is entirely unacceptable and that she had written to the Member requesting that he withdraws his defamatory remarks and apologises to her personally for his actions, and that in the meantime, the Member will not be called to speak.

 

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport and North Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Counsel General Minister for European Transition (in respect of his European Transition responsibilities)

Minutes:

The item started at 14.30

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

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What support is the Welsh Government providing to Stadco following news that it intends to close its factory in Llanfyllin, affecting 129 employees?

 

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What assessment has the Minister made of supply chain issues affecting Roche Pharmaceuticals, and its implications on testing capacity in the Welsh NHS?

Minutes:

The item started at 15.18

To the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales

Russell George (Montgomeryshire): What support is the Welsh Government providing to Stadco following news that it intends to close its factory in Llanfyllin, affecting 129 employees?

 

To the Minister for Health and Social Services

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What assessment has the Minister made of supply chain issues affecting Roche Pharmaceuticals, and its implications on testing capacity in the Welsh NHS?

(5 mins)

4.

90 second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.33

Caroline Jones  made a statement on – Surviving Breast Cancer.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 15.35 the Presiding Officer suspended the meeting.

(15 mins)

5.

Standards of Conduct Committee report - Report 01-20

NDM7420 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Report 01 -20 laid before the Senedd on 30 September 2020 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report. 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.42

NDM7420 Andrew R.T. Davies (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Considers the report of the Standards of Conduct Committee - Report 01 -20 laid before the Senedd on 30 September 2020 in accordance with Standing Order 22.9.

2. Endorses the recommendation in the report. 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(5 mins)

6.

Motion to delegate authority to make the arrangements for recruiting a new Commissioner for Standards to the Chief Executive and Clerk

NDM7419 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with section 3 of, and paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule to, the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 delegates the making of arrangements for the recruitment of the Commissioner for Standards (but not the appointment of the person so identified) to the Clerk of the Senedd.

National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.48

NDM7419 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with section 3 of, and paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Schedule to, the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 delegates the making of arrangements for the recruitment of the Commissioner for Standards (but not the appointment of the person so identified) to the Clerk of the Senedd.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(15 mins)

7.

Standards of Conduct Committee report - The Acting Commissioner for Standards' Pay

NDM7418 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that Douglas Bain CBE TD was appointed as acting Commissioner in accordance with Section 4(1) of the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 (“the Measure”) on 13 November 2019.

2. Considers the report from the Standards of Conduct Committee: Remuneration of the Acting Commissioner for Standards (“the report”) relating to the proposal to modify the terms of Mr Bain’s appointment.

3. Modifies the terms of appointment of the acting Commissioner, in accordance with section 4(4)(d) of the Measure, as set out in Annex A of the report.

National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009

Standards of Conduct Committee: Remuneration of the Acting Commissioner for Standards

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.50

NDM7418 Jayne Bryant (Newport West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that Douglas Bain CBE TD was appointed as acting Commissioner in accordance with Section 4(1) of the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 (“the Measure”) on 13 November 2019.

2. Considers the report from the Standards of Conduct Committee: Remuneration of the Acting Commissioner for Standards (“the report”) relating to the proposal to modify the terms of Mr Bain’s appointment.

3. Modifies the terms of appointment of the acting Commissioner, in accordance with section 4(4)(d) of the Measure, as set out in Annex A of the report.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

(30 mins)

8.

Debate on the Committee for Electoral Reform report - 'Senedd reform: The next steps'

NDM7417 Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform, 'Senedd reform: The next steps', which was laid in the Table Office on 10 September 2020.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 1 and 2 tabled to the motion have not been selected.

 

Supporting Documents

Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform report: Summary of recommendations

Minutes:

The item started at 15.51

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 1 and 2 tabled to the motion were not selected.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7417 Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform, 'Senedd reform: The next steps', which was laid in the Table Office on 10 September 2020.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

38

0

14

52

The motion without amendment was agreed.

 

(60 mins)

9.

Debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report: Into sharp relief: inequality and the pandemic

NDM7406 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, 'Into sharp relief: inequality and the pandemic', which was laid in the Table Office on 10 August 2020.

Note: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 24 September 2020.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.36

NDM7406 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, 'Into sharp relief: inequality and the pandemic', which was laid in the Table Office on 10 August 2020.

Note: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 24 September 2020.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 17.30 the Presiding Officer suspended the meeting.

(60 mins)

10.

Plaid Cymru Debate - The challenges facing the Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors

NDM7421 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

 1. Recognises the importance of the  Welsh Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors, and the challenges these sectors face as a result of COVID-19. 

2. Welcomes the renewed exploration of Wales’s diverse heritage during the months of the pandemic in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and other campaigns. 

3. Supports calls to ensure that our heritage is promoted and presented in a sensitive manner and inclusive of all of its rich diversity in future. 

4. Regrets that the UK Government’s job support scheme is unlikely to save many arts and live music venues and cultural attractions from closure, and to save arts workers’ careers (freelance and salaried), despite the fact that they were viable prior to COVID-19.

5. Opposes proposals to develop one or more military museums in Cardiff Bay. 

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) work with the Arts Council of Wales, the Wales Freelance Task Force and other groups and organisations within the arts and culture sector to implement the recommendations of the report, 'Rebalancing and Reimagining: Strategies to Support Arts and Performance Freelancers’'. 

b)  use the planning system to restrict and manage the ability of buildings that were used for arts, cultural and heritage purposes prior to the Coronavirus Act 2020 to receive planning permission for a change of use whilst the pandemic continues to impact on the ability to use those venues for their intended purpose;

 c) explore the creation of a National Museum for Black and People of Colour History and Heritage, to be based in Tiger Bay as a potential alternative to the proposal for one or more military museums;

 d) ensure more black and people of colour involvement in arts and cultural bodies, as called for in Race Alliance Wales’s Manifesto for An Anti-Racist Wales;

 e) ensure that the Welsh language is at the heart of the workforce and output of the arts sector in its entirety going forward;

 f) introduce statutory protections to prevent the loss of Welsh language place names from the built and natural environments.

 g) ensure that each government department works strategically towards the delivery of the sixth pillar of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language, and, in so doing, engages deeply and meaningfully with the arts, culture and heritage sectors.

Rebalancing and Reimagining: Strategies to Support Arts and Performance Freelancers

Coronavirus Act 2020

Race Alliance Wales: Our Manifesto for an Anti-racist Wales 

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendment 1 tabled to the motion has not been selected.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Welcomes Her Majesty's Government's £1.57 billion arts rescue package and the £59 million consequential arising from it for Wales. 

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 5 and replace with:

Welcomes plans for a museum of military medicine in Cardiff Bay and acknowledges the importance of venues across Wales which celebrate Wales's rich military heritage.

[If amendment 3 is agreed, amendment 4 will be de-selected]

Amendment 4 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete point 5 and renumber accordingly

Amendment 5 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

In point 6, delete sub-points b) and c) and replace with:

recognise the importance Planning Policy Wales places on cultural well-being through plan making and planning decisions, which supports the continued provision of cultural uses for communities through its approach to place making;

work to ensure that BAME history is embedded and reflected throughout the museum network in Wales and explore with community leaders future options to ensure this history is given rightful prominence.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 6 and 7 tabled to the motion have not been selected.

Amendment 8 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

In point 6, delete sub-points e) and f) and replace with:

work to ensure the Welsh language is at the heart of the workforce and output of the arts sector;

recognise the importance of Welsh language place names and continue to explore options to prevent them from being lost from the built and natural environments.

Amendment 9 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new sub-point at end of point 6:

notes the outcome of the independent review into funding of the National Library of Wales and calls for an increase of £1.445 million in baseline funding in the next financial year to put the finances of the institution on a sustainable footing for the future. 

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 10, 11, 12 and 13 tabled to the motion have not been selected.

Minutes:

The item started at 17.38

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7421 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

 1. Recognises the importance of the  Welsh Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors, and the challenges these sectors face as a result of COVID-19. 

2. Welcomes the renewed exploration of Wales’s diverse heritage during the months of the pandemic in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and other campaigns. 

3. Supports calls to ensure that our heritage is promoted and presented in a sensitive manner and inclusive of all of its rich diversity in future. 

4. Regrets that the UK Government’s job support scheme is unlikely to save many arts and live music venues and cultural attractions from closure, and to save arts workers’ careers (freelance and salaried), despite the fact that they were viable prior to COVID-19.

5. Opposes proposals to develop one or more military museums in Cardiff Bay. 

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) work with the Arts Council of Wales, the Wales Freelance Task Force and other groups and organisations within the arts and culture sector to implement the recommendations of the report, 'Rebalancing and Reimagining: Strategies to Support Arts and Performance Freelancers’'. 

b)  use the planning system to restrict and manage the ability of buildings that were used for arts, cultural and heritage purposes prior to the Coronavirus Act 2020 to receive planning permission for a change of use whilst the pandemic continues to impact on the ability to use those venues for their intended purpose;

 c) explore the creation of a National Museum for Black and People of Colour History and Heritage, to be based in Tiger Bay as a potential alternative to the proposal for one or more military museums;

 d) ensure more black and people of colour involvement in arts and cultural bodies, as called for in Race Alliance Wales’s Manifesto for An Anti-Racist Wales;

 e) ensure that the Welsh language is at the heart of the workforce and output of the arts sector in its entirety going forward;

 f) introduce statutory protections to prevent the loss of Welsh language place names from the built and natural environments.

 g) ensure that each government department works strategically towards the delivery of the sixth pillar of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language, and, in so doing, engages deeply and meaningfully with the arts, culture and heritage sectors.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

0

42

52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendment 1 tabled to the motion has not been selected.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Welcomes Her Majesty's Government's £1.57 billion arts rescue package and the £59 million consequential arising from it for Wales. 

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

1

37

52

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 5 and replace with:

Welcomes plans for a museum of military medicine in Cardiff Bay and acknowledges the importance of venues across Wales which celebrate Wales's rich military heritage.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

37

52

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete point 5 and renumber accordingly

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

37

3

12

52

Amendment 4 was agreed.

Amendment 5  Rebecca Evans (Gower)

In point 6, delete sub-points b) and c) and replace with:

recognise the importance Planning Policy Wales places on cultural well-being through plan making and planning decisions, which supports the continued provision of cultural uses for communities through its approach to place making;

work to ensure that BAME history is embedded and reflected throughout the museum network in Wales and explore with community leaders future options to ensure this history is given rightful prominence.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

32

4

16

52

Amendment 5 was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 6 and 7 tabled to the motion were not selected.

Amendment 8 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

In point 6, delete sub-points e) and f) and replace with:

work to ensure the Welsh language is at the heart of the workforce and output of the arts sector;

recognise the importance of Welsh language place names and continue to explore options to prevent them from being lost from the built and natural environments.

A vote was taken on amendment 8:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

36

3

13

52

Amendment 8 was agreed.

Amendment 9 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new sub-point at end of point 6:

notes the outcome of the independent review into funding of the National Library of Wales and calls for an increase of £1.445 million in baseline funding in the next financial year to put the finances of the institution on a sustainable footing for the future. 

A vote was taken on amendment 9:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

24

0

27

51

Amendment 9 was not agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.23 (iii) amendments 10, 11, 12 and 13 tabled to the motion were not selected.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7421 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

 1. Recognises the importance of the  Welsh Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors, and the challenges these sectors face as a result of COVID-19. 

2. Welcomes the renewed exploration of Wales’s diverse heritage during the months of the pandemic in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and other campaigns. 

3. Supports calls to ensure that our heritage is promoted and presented in a sensitive manner and inclusive of all of its rich diversity in future. 

4. Regrets that the UK Government’s job support scheme is unlikely to save many arts and live music venues and cultural attractions from closure, and to save arts workers’ careers (freelance and salaried), despite the fact that they were viable prior to COVID-19.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) work with the Arts Council of Wales, the Wales Freelance Task Force and other groups and organisations within the arts and culture sector to implement the recommendations of the report, 'Rebalancing and Reimagining: Strategies to Support Arts and Performance Freelancers’'. 

b) recognise the importance Planning Policy Wales places on cultural well-being through plan making and planning decisions, which supports the continued provision of cultural uses for communities through its approach to place making;

c) work to ensure that BAME history is embedded and reflected throughout the museum network in Wales and explore with community leaders future options to ensure this history is given rightful prominence.

 d) ensure more black and people of colour involvement in arts and cultural bodies, as called for in Race Alliance Wales’s Manifesto for An Anti-Racist Wales;

e) work to ensure the Welsh language is at the heart of the workforce and output of the arts sector;

f) recognise the importance of Welsh language place names and continue to explore options to prevent them from being lost from the built and natural environments.

g) ensure that each government department works strategically towards the delivery of the sixth pillar of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language, and, in so doing, engages deeply and meaningfully with the arts, culture and heritage sectors.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

28

1

23

52

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

11.

Voting Time

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 34.14D, at proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before voting time.

The item started at 18.41

(30 mins)

12.

Short Debate

Alun Davies (Blaenau Gwent)

Beyond COVID-19: a sustainable economy for the Heads of the Valleys.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 18.34

A procedural motion under Standing Order 12.32 to postpone today's Short Debate to next Wednesday's meeting was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents: