Agenda and minutes

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Expected timing: 279(v5) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 10/06/2020 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

The item started at 11.00

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the virtual Plenary and set out that this Plenary meeting, being held by video conference in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Welsh Parliament, constitutes proceedings of the Senedd for the purposes of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

The Llywydd stated that, having consulted with the Business Committee, some of the provisions of Standing Order 34 will apply - all of which were noted on the agenda.

The Llywydd stated that, in accordance with Standing Order 34.15, that the public have been excluded from attending this Plenary meeting, as is required to protect public health, though the meeting would be broadcast live and the record of proceedings would be published as usual.

The Llywydd also reminded Members that Standing Orders relating to Order and the organisation of business in Plenary meetings would apply to this meeting.

 

Minute's Silence

Before commencing today’s proceedings, the Llywydd called on the Members of the Senedd to join her in observing a minute’s silence in memory of George Floyd and in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement worldwide.

(5 mins)

1.

Business Statement and Announcement

Minutes:

The item started at 11.01

(60 mins)

2.

Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Minutes:

The item started at 11.01

 

3.

Topical Questions

No Topical Questions have been accepted.

 

Minutes:

No Topical Questions were accepted

(60 mins)

4.

Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Minutes:

The item started at 13.21

 

(60 mins)

5.

Statement by the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language: Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Minutes:

The item started at 14.25

(30 mins)

6.

Legislative Consent Motion on the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill

NDM7330 Julie James (Swansea West):

 

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 29.6 agrees that provisions in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in so far as they fall within the legislative competence of the Senedd, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

 

A Legislative Consent Memorandum has been laid in the Table Office on 2 June 2020 in accordance with Standing Order 29.2.

 

Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill 2019-21

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.27

NDM7330 Julie James (Swansea West):

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 29.6 agrees that provisions in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill in so far as they fall within the legislative competence of the Senedd, should be considered by the UK Parliament.

A Legislative Consent Memorandum has been laid in the Table Office on 2 June 2020 in accordance with Standing Order 29.2. 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(30 mins)

7.

Motion to annul The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections) (Wales) Regulations 2020

NDM7329 Suzy Davies (South Wales West):

 

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 27.2:

 

Agrees that The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections) (Wales) Regulations 2020, laid before the Assembly on 29 April 2020, be annulled.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.36

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

NDM7329 Suzy Davies (South Wales West):

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 27.2:

Agrees that The Local Government (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections) (Wales) Regulations 2020, laid before the Assembly on 29 April 2020, be annulled.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

13

1

43

57

The motion was not agreed.

 

(60 mins)

8.

Plaid Cymru Debate - The Economy and Covid-19

NDM7331 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon):

 

To propose that the Senedd:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) establish an employment guarantee scheme for young people suffering unemployment as a result of Covid-19;

b) establish a job reskilling and retraining scheme designed to support those needing to find alternative employment following the crisis; 

c) convene a citizen's assembly to discuss how Wales should "Build Back Better" following the experience of the crisis; and

d) establish a multi-billion "All Wales Renewal Fund" to finance the rebuilding of our country.

The following amendments have been tabled:
Amendment 1 -
Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the package of employability support currently available through the Welsh Government including the highly regarded Jobs Growth Wales scheme which has supported more than 19,000 young people into good quality work and ReAct which for more than a decade has helped individuals retrain and find new employment.

2. Notes the Welsh Government's £500m Economic Resilience Fund which is currently helping thousands of small and medium sized businesses in Wales stay afloat and keep individuals in employment and which will in future support recovery.

3. Notes the expert work being coordinated by the Counsel General across Welsh Government on recovery planning including work by the Minister for Economy to identify further skills interventions which can support effective retraining in the coming months and the recovery phase.

4. Welcomes the constructive discussions the Minister for Economy has had with all parties about how we emerge from Coronavirus with the best possible prospects for young people.

5. Recognises the need to work in social partnership with trade unions and business to Build Back Better for the future.

6. Recognises that the Welsh Government has dedicated close to £2.5bn to its Covid-19 response since March 2020, further notes the scale of the economic crisis facing the whole of the United Kingdom and calls on the UK Government to develop a significant economic stimulus package that can support the Welsh Government’s work towards a green and just recovery.

[If Amendment 1 is agreed amendments 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 – Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

In sub-point (a), delete ‘employment’ and replace with ‘apprenticeship’.

Amendment 3 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Insert at end of sub-point (b):

‘and introduce skills retention and development programmes as soon as practical in the most at risk sectors to ensure no loss of capability and the opportunity to upskill the local workforce during this period of reduced activity.’

Amendment 4 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

In sub-point (c), delete ‘citizen’s assembly’ and replace with ‘cross party taskforce’.

Amendment 5 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete sub-point d) and replace with:

‘establish a Covid Community Recovery Fund to support those towns and communities whose economies are hardest hit by the pandemic.’

Amendment 6 – Neil McEvoy

Add as new point at end of motion:

In order to rebuild Wales economically as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) ensure that the Covid-19 business rate relief scheme supports businesses occupying premises and not landlords who own the premises;

b) provide support for those in the hospitality industry being charged full rent by pub companies during the crisis;

c) legislate to enable Welsh companies to successfully bid for Welsh public sector contracts; and

d) orientate its economic policy toward a food and drink export-led recovery by creating a fully fledged whisky industry.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.51

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7331 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon): 

To propose that the Senedd: 

Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) establish an employment guarantee scheme for young people suffering unemployment as a result of Covid-19;

b) establish a job reskilling and retraining scheme designed to support those needing to find alternative employment following the crisis; 

c) convene a citizen's assembly to discuss how Wales should "Build Back Better" following the experience of the crisis; and

d) establish a multi-billion "All Wales Renewal Fund" to finance the rebuilding of our country.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

10

0

47

57

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 Senedd:

1. Notes the package of employability support currently available through the Welsh Government including the highly regarded Jobs Growth Wales scheme which has supported more than 19,000 young people into good quality work and ReAct which for more than a decade has helped individuals retrain and find new employment.

2. Notes the Welsh Government's £500m Economic Resilience Fund which is currently helping thousands of small and medium sized businesses in Wales stay afloat and keep individuals in employment and which will in future support recovery.

3. Notes the expert work being coordinated by the Counsel General across Welsh Government on recovery planning including work by the Minister for Economy to identify further skills interventions which can support effective retraining in the coming months and the recovery phase.

4. Welcomes the constructive discussions the Minister for Economy has had with all parties about how we emerge from Coronavirus with the best possible prospects for young people.

5. Recognises the need to work in social partnership with trade unions and business to Build Back Better for the future.

6. Recognises that the Welsh Government has dedicated close to £2.5bn to its Covid-19 response since March 2020, further notes the scale of the economic crisis facing the whole of the United Kingdom and calls on the UK Government to develop a significant economic stimulus package that can support the Welsh Government’s work towards a green and just recovery.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

30

4

23

57

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As Amendment 1 was agreed amendments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were de-selected

Amendment 6 – Neil McEvoy

Add as new point at end of motion:

In order to rebuild Wales economically as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) ensure that the Covid-19 business rate relief scheme supports businesses occupying premises and not landlords who own the premises;

b) provide support for those in the hospitality industry being charged full rent by pub companies during the crisis;

c) legislate to enable Welsh companies to successfully bid for Welsh public sector contracts; and

d) orientate its economic policy toward a food and drink export-led recovery by creating a fully fledged whisky industry.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

2

24

31

57

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the package of employability support currently available through the Welsh Government including the highly regarded Jobs Growth Wales scheme which has supported more than 19,000 young people into good quality work and ReAct which for more than a decade has helped individuals retrain and find new employment.

2. Notes the Welsh Government's £500m Economic Resilience Fund which is currently helping thousands of small and medium sized businesses in Wales stay afloat and keep individuals in employment and which will in future support recovery.

3. Notes the expert work being coordinated by the Counsel General across Welsh Government on recovery planning including work by the Minister for Economy to identify further skills interventions which can support effective retraining in the coming months and the recovery phase.

4. Welcomes the constructive discussions the Minister for Economy has had with all parties about how we emerge from Coronavirus with the best possible prospects for young people.

5. Recognises the need to work in social partnership with trade unions and business to Build Back Better for the future.

6. Recognises that the Welsh Government has dedicated close to £2.5bn to its Covid-19 response since March 2020, further notes the scale of the economic crisis facing the whole of the United Kingdom and calls on the UK Government to develop a significant economic stimulus package that can support the Welsh Government’s work towards a green and just recovery.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

30

4

23

57

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

9.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 16.55

 

Votes Summary 10.06.20

Supporting documents: