Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 257(v5) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 29/01/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 3 and 5 were grouped together for answer. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Housing and Local Government

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.21

The first 5 questions were asked. Questions 1 and 5 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

Point of Order

15.09

 

Mandy Jones raised a point of order under Standing Orders 13.9(iv) and 13.9(v) regarding language used in the Chamber during last week’s proceedings. The Llywydd agreed to review the record and return to the matter if necessary

(20 mins)

3.

Topical Questions

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services:

 

Caroline Jones (South Wales West): Will the Minister outline the steps being taken by Public Health Wales and NHS Wales to protect the public from Coronavirus? (TAQ387)

 

Leanne Wood (Rhondda):  How does the Welsh Government intend to meet demand for Accident and Emergency services in the Rhondda and beyond if 24-hour A&E services are reduced at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital? (TAQ386)

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.10

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services:

 

Caroline Jones (South Wales West): Will the Minister outline the steps being taken by Public Health Wales and NHS Wales to protect the public from Coronavirus?

 

Leanne Wood (Rhondda):  How does the Welsh Government intend to meet demand for Accident and Emergency services in the Rhondda and beyond if 24-hour A&E services are reduced at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital?

 

(5 mins)

4.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.46

Lynne Neagle made a statement celebrating the achievements of the winners of the Learning and Work Institute’s Inspire! Tutor Awards on 22 January 2020

 

Leanne Wood made a statement on Treorchy’s triumph in the UK High Street of the Year competition

 

Sian Gwenllian made a statement on Gwynedd Slate Quarries being nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

(5 mins)

5.

Motion to alter the name and remit of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee

NDM7242 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

The National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3, agrees to alter the name and remit of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, so that they are as follows:

a) the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee;

b) to carry out the functions of the responsible committee set out in Standing Order 21 and to consider any other matter relating to legislation, justice and the constitution within or relating to the competence of the Assembly or the Welsh Ministers, including the quality of legislation.

Business Committee Report

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.51

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

NDM7242 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

The National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3, agrees to alter the name and remit of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, so that they are as follows:

a) the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee;

b) to carry out the functions of the responsible committee set out in Standing Order 21 and to consider any other matter relating to legislation, justice and the constitution within or relating to the competence of the Assembly or the Welsh Ministers, including the quality of legislation.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

42

0

7

49

The motion was agreed.

 

Motion to Elect a Member to the Assembly's Commission (5 mins)

The item started at 15.54

NDM7261 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 7.9, appoints Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru) as a member of the Assembly Commission.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(60 mins)

6.

Welsh Conservatives Debate - Departure from the European Union

NDM7241 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union in the referendum held on the 23 June 2016.

2. Believes that the outcome of referendums should always be implemented.

3. Acknowledges that Wales, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, will leave the European Union at 23.00 on 31 January 2020.

4. Recognises the potential benefits to Wales, of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, including:

a) striking new free trade agreements;

b) creating a fairer immigration system which does not discriminate against people on the basis of where they may come from;

c) establishing a new approach to regional investment.

5. Calls upon the Welsh Government to engage positively with the UK Government as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes that the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union in the referendum held on the 23 June 2016 and that Wales, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, will leave the European Union at 23.00 on 31 January 2020.

2. Recognises that there are benefits as well as challenges arising from the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.

3. Believes that the challenges may include a significant threat to the future of the United Kingdom itself; that therefore significant reform to the constitution is needed to fully embed devolution; and that the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements with the EU and other countries, without the meaningful involvement of the devolved administrations could risk undermining the devolution settlement; and regrets that this was not recognised by the UK Government during the passage of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act in the UK Parliament.

4. Supports the 20-point plan put forward by the Welsh Government in ‘Reforming our Union’ which will ensure that devolution becomes an established part of the constitution once the UK leaves the EU.

5. Calls upon the Welsh Government to continue to engage positively with the UK Government and to speak up for the interests of Wales as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act

Reforming our Union

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.55

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7241 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union in the referendum held on the 23 June 2016.

2. Believes that the outcome of referendums should always be implemented.

3. Acknowledges that Wales, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, will leave the European Union at 23.00 on 31 January 2020.

4. Recognises the potential benefits to Wales, of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, including:

a) striking new free trade agreements;

b) creating a fairer immigration system which does not discriminate against people on the basis of where they may come from;

c) establishing a new approach to regional investment.

5. Calls upon the Welsh Government to engage positively with the UK Government as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

7

28

50

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

1. Notes that the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union in the referendum held on the 23 June 2016 and that Wales, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, will leave the European Union at 23.00 on 31 January 2020.

2. Recognises that there are benefits as well as challenges arising from the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.

3. Believes that the challenges may include a significant threat to the future of the United Kingdom itself; that therefore significant reform to the constitution is needed to fully embed devolution; and that the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements with the EU and other countries, without the meaningful involvement of the devolved administrations could risk undermining the devolution settlement; and regrets that this was not recognised by the UK Government during the passage of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act in the UK Parliament.

4. Supports the 20-point plan put forward by the Welsh Government in ‘Reforming our Union’ which will ensure that devolution becomes an established part of the constitution once the UK leaves the EU.

5. Calls upon the Welsh Government to continue to engage positively with the UK Government and to speak up for the interests of Wales as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

27

7

16

50

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7241 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes that the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union in the referendum held on the 23 June 2016 and that Wales, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, will leave the European Union at 23.00 on 31 January 2020.

2. Recognises that there are benefits as well as challenges arising from the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.

3. Believes that the challenges may include a significant threat to the future of the United Kingdom itself; that therefore significant reform to the constitution is needed to fully embed devolution; and that the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements with the EU and other countries, without the meaningful involvement of the devolved administrations could risk undermining the devolution settlement; and regrets that this was not recognised by the UK Government during the passage of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Act in the UK Parliament.

4. Supports the 20-point plan put forward by the Welsh Government in ‘Reforming our Union’ which will ensure that devolution becomes an established part of the constitution once the UK leaves the EU.

5. Calls upon the Welsh Government to continue to engage positively with the UK Government and to speak up for the interests of Wales as the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

27

7

16

50

The motion as amended was agreed.

(60 mins)

7.

Plaid Cymru Debate - NHS Performance

NDM7244 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the latest NHS performance statistics and regrets the continued failure to achieve performance targets across a range of specialities and services.

2. Regrets the cancellation of planned operations to deal with winter pressures and believes it is possible to plan for dealing with winter pressures whilst ensuring routine procedures continue.

3. Believes that staff in the NHS and social care should be congratulated for their performance under difficult circumstances.

4. Believes that improvements in the NHS can only be sustained in the long run if:

a) social care services have parity of esteem with the NHS, and regrets that social care services have been under-funded at the expense of the NHS;

b) substantial investment in services that prevent ill health takes place;

c) improvements to working conditions and workforce planning take place to improve recruitment and retention of NHS and social care staff.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets that some Welsh health boards are delaying recruitment due to financial pressures which is exacerbating poor performance and pressure on frontline staff.

Amendment 2 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Recognises the impact a decade of unjust UK driven austerity has on the resources available to fund public services including health and social care and believes that improvements in the NHS can only be sustained in the long run if:

a) NHS and social care work together as equal partners;

b) investment continues across both systems to support people to stay well and out of hospital;

c) there remains a focus on the recruitment, retention and wellbeing of our health and care workforce supported by the joint health and social care workforce strategy.

[If Amendment 2 is agreed amendments 3 and 4 will be de-selected]

Amendment 3 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

In point 4 (a) delete ', and regrets that social care services have been under-funded at the expense of the NHS'.

Amendment 4 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Insert as new sub-point at end of point 4:

'the artificial barriers between mental and physical health are removed.'

Amendment 5 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Welcomes the opportunities to invest additional resources into the Welsh NHS and social care services to boost performance as a result of real terms increases in the Welsh block grant.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.59

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7244 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the latest NHS performance statistics and regrets the continued failure to achieve performance targets across a range of specialities and services.

2. Regrets the cancellation of planned operations to deal with winter pressures and believes it is possible to plan for dealing with winter pressures whilst ensuring routine procedures continue.

3. Believes that staff in the NHS and social care should be congratulated for their performance under difficult circumstances.

4. Believes that improvements in the NHS can only be sustained in the long run if:

a) social care services have parity of esteem with the NHS, and regrets that social care services have been under-funded at the expense of the NHS;

b) substantial investment in services that prevent ill health takes place;

c) improvements to working conditions and workforce planning take place to improve recruitment and retention of NHS and social care staff.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

13

1

36

50

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets that some Welsh health boards are delaying recruitment due to financial pressures which is exacerbating poor performance and pressure on frontline staff.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

35

50

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete point 4 and replace with:

Recognises the impact a decade of unjust UK driven austerity has on the resources available to fund public services including health and social care and believes that improvements in the NHS can only be sustained in the long run if:

a) NHS and social care work together as equal partners;

b) investment continues across both systems to support people to stay well and out of hospital;

c) there remains a focus on the recruitment, retention and wellbeing of our health and care workforce supported by the joint health and social care workforce strategy.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

27

0

23

50

Amendment 2 was agreed.

As amendment 2 was agreed, amendments 3 and 4 were deselected.

Amendment 5 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Welcomes the opportunities to invest additional resources into the Welsh NHS and social care services to boost performance as a result of real terms increases in the Welsh block grant.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

42

0

8

50

Amendment 5 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7244 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the latest NHS performance statistics and regrets the continued failure to achieve performance targets across a range of specialities and services.

2. Regrets the cancellation of planned operations to deal with winter pressures and believes it is possible to plan for dealing with winter pressures whilst ensuring routine procedures continue.

3. Believes that staff in the NHS and social care should be congratulated for their performance under difficult circumstances.

4. Recognises the impact a decade of unjust UK driven austerity has on the resources available to fund public services including health and social care and believes that improvements in the NHS can only be sustained in the long run if:

a) NHS and social care work together as equal partners;

b) investment continues across both systems to support people to stay well and out of hospital;

c) there remains a focus on the recruitment, retention and wellbeing of our health and care workforce supported by the joint health and social care workforce strategy.

5. Welcomes the opportunities to invest additional resources into the Welsh NHS and social care services to boost performance as a result of real terms increases in the Welsh block grant.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

34

0

16

50

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

(60 mins)

8.

Brexit Party Debate - Fisheries

NDM7243 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the historic importance of fisheries to Wales.

2. Welcomes the fact that, after years of inaction, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union at the end of this week.

3. Calls upon the Welsh and UK Governments to maximise the benefits to Wales of the Welsh fisheries as we complete the Brexit process.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the historic importance of fisheries to Welsh coastal communities, industries and environment.

2. Calls upon the Welsh Government and UK Government to take all necessary steps to secure the future of Wales’s fisheries.

[If Amendment 1 is agreed amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 2.

[If Amendment 2 is agreed amendment 3 will be de-selected]

Amendment 3 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Recognises the significant importance of the European Union as a destination for Welsh seafood produce and seeks to ensure that this market remains open and easily accessible in the future.

Calls for the UK Government's forthcoming fisheries bill to ensure that UK and devolved legislation delivers truly sustainable and accountable fisheries management that minimises the impact on the marine environment and supports dependent coastal communities.

Amendment 4 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that, upon leaving the EU, we will leave the Common Fisheries Policy and become an independent coastal state, taking back control of our waters in December 2020.

Amendment 5 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to; increase funding for fisheries across the UK’s nations throughout the current parliament, and support the regeneration of our coastal communities.

Amendment 6 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to introduce a new fishing strategy which would be based on the principle of ‘maximum sustainable yield’, and would legally require the Welsh Government to maintain fish sustainability for every stock.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 18.05

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7243 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the historic importance of fisheries to Wales.

2. Welcomes the fact that, after years of inaction, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union at the end of this week.

3. Calls upon the Welsh and UK Governments to maximise the benefits to Wales of the Welsh fisheries as we complete the Brexit process.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

7

0

43

50

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the historic importance of fisheries to Welsh coastal communities, industries and environment.

2. Calls upon the Welsh Government and UK Government to take all necessary steps to secure the future of Wales’s fisheries.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

28

0

22

50

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2 and 3 were de-selected.

Amendment 4 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Recognises that, upon leaving the EU, we will leave the Common Fisheries Policy and become an independent coastal state, taking back control of our waters in December 2020.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

9

27

50

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment 5 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Welcomes the UK Government’s commitment to; increase funding for fisheries across the UK’s nations throughout the current parliament, and support the regeneration of our coastal communities.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

8

28

50

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

Amendment 6 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to introduce a new fishing strategy which would be based on the principle of ‘maximum sustainable yield’, and would legally require the Welsh Government to maintain fish sustainability for every stock.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

22

1

27

50

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7243 Caroline Jones (South Wales West)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the historic importance of fisheries to Welsh coastal communities, industries and environment.

2. Calls upon the Welsh Government and UK Government to take all necessary steps to secure the future of Wales’s fisheries.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

47

0

3

50

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

9.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.55

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

10.

Short Debate

NDM7245 Rhianon Passmore (Islwyn)

Wales and the cultural economy: the economic benefits of the creative industries and the arts in a creative Wales.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 19.02

NDM7245 Rhianon Passmore (Islwyn)

Wales and the cultural economy: the economic benefits of the creative industries and the arts in a creative Wales.