Agenda and decisions

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd

Media

Senedd.TV: View the webcast

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Minister for Finance

Supporting documents:

Decision:

The item started at 13.30

 

The first 14 questions were asked. Question 15 was withdrawn.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Local Government and Government Business

Decision:

The item started at 14.11

 

All 15 questions were asked. 

(15 mins)

3.

Questions to the Assembly Commission

Decision:

The item started at 15.00

 

All 3 questions were asked.

(60 mins)

4.

Welsh Conservatives Debate

NDM5527 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly Wales:

 

Regrets that too many people in Wales are waiting too long for diagnostic tests and NHS treatment.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets the difficulties faced by patients in booking GP appointments for access to treatment in a timely manner.

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets the 20% increase in the number of patients waiting 36 weeks for the start of treatment between March and April 2014 and calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to tackle long term waiting lists.

 

Amendment 3 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets that such waiting times are significantly longer in the Welsh NHS than in Scotland and England.

 

Decision:

The item started at 15.07

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5527 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly Wales:

 

Regrets that too many people in Wales are waiting too long for diagnostic tests and NHS treatment.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

41

52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets the difficulties faced by patients in booking GP appointments for access to treatment in a timely manner.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

26

51

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Regrets the 20% increase in the number of patients waiting 36 weeks for the start of treatment between March and April 2014 and calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to tackle long term waiting lists.

 

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 point at end of motion:

 

Regrets that such waiting times are significantly longer in the Welsh NHS than in Scotland and England.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

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 amendments tabled to the motion, the motion is therefore not agreed.

(60 mins)

5.

Plaid Cymru Debate

NDM5529 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s draft Plan Consultation Document “M4 Corridor around Newport”.

 

2. Notes the Welsh Government’s preference to construct a new M4 over the Gwent Levels to the south of Newport.

 

3. Believes that the Welsh Government’s preferred route for a new M4 should be ruled out on environmental and value for money grounds.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to support improvements to the existing A48 road footprint around Newport as outlined in the ‘Blue Route’ concept.

 

5. Believes that borrowing powers for Wales should not be predicated on Welsh Government support for a specific project, but should be available for use across the whole of the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan.

 

The ‘M4 Corridor around Newport’ draft Plan Consultation Document can be found here:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/det/consultation/130923m4consen.pdf

 

The ‘Blue Route’ document is available here:

 

http://www.foe.co.uk/sites/default/files/downloads/m4-blue-route-45610.pdf

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Delete points 3, 4 and 5.

 

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

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert at end of point 4:

 

‘as part of an integrated transport strategy for south east Wales incorporating investment in public transport, rail freight infrastructure and the improvement of strategic local routes’.

 

Amendment 3 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the investment made by the UK Government and the commitment to access early borrowing powers to fund improvements to the M4;

 

Amendment 4 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Acknowledges the need for an early decision and implementation of a road to relieve congestion on the current M4 infrastructure around Newport.

 

Amendment 5 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Acknowledges the concerns of the Environment and Sustainability Committee in their letter titled ‘Welsh Government Proposals for the M4 around Newport’, dated 5 June 2014.

 

The Environment and Sustainability Committee’s letter is available at:

 

http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/documents/s28157/Letter.pdf

 

Decision:

The item started at 16.07

 

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

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5529 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s draft Plan Consultation Document “M4 Corridor around Newport”.

 

2. Notes the Welsh Government’s preference to construct a new M4 over the Gwent Levels to the south of Newport.

 

3. Believes that the Welsh Government’s preferred route for a new M4 should be ruled out on environmental and value for money grounds.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to support improvements to the existing A48 road footprint around Newport as outlined in the‘Blue Route’ concept.

 

5. Believes that borrowing powers for Wales should not be predicated on Welsh Government support for a specific project, but should be available for use across the whole of the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

9

1

16

26

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Delete points 3, 4 and 5.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

11

0

15

26

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 2 - Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Insert at end of point 4:

 

‘as part of an integrated transport strategy for south east Wales incorporating investment in public transport, rail freight infrastructure and the improvement of strategic local routes’.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

11

26

Amendment 2 was agreed.

 

Amendment 3 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Welcomes the investment made by the UK Government and the commitment to access early borrowing powers to fund improvements to the M4;

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

16

0

10

26

Amendment 3 was agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Acknowledges the need for an early decision and implementation of a road to relieve congestion on the current M4 infrastructure around Newport.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

0

25

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5 - Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Acknowledges the concerns of the Environment and Sustainability Committee in their letter titled ‘Welsh Government Proposals for the M4 around Newport’, dated 5 June 2014.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

0

26

Amendment 5 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5529 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes the Welsh Government’s draft Plan Consultation Document“M4 Corridor around Newport”.

 

2. Notes the Welsh Government’s preference to construct a new M4 over the Gwent Levels to the south of Newport.

 

3. Believes that the Welsh Government’s preferred route for a new M4 should be ruled out on environmental and value for money grounds.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to support improvements to the existing A48 road footprint around Newport as outlined in the‘Blue Route’ concept as part of an integrated transport strategy for south east Wales incorporating investment in public transport, rail freight infrastructure and the improvement of strategic local routes.

 

5. Believes that borrowing powers for Wales should not be predicated on Welsh Government support for a specific project, but should be available for use across the whole of the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan.

 

6. Welcomes the investment made by the UK Government and the commitment to access early borrowing powers to fund improvements to the M4.

 

7. Acknowledges the need for an early decision and implementation of a road to relieve congestion on the current M4 infrastructure around Newport.

 

8. Acknowledges the concerns of the Environment and Sustainability Committee in their letter titled ‘Welsh Government Proposals for the M4 around Newport’, dated 5 June 2014.

 

For

Abstain

Against

Total

5

1

20

26

The motion as amended was not agreed.

(60 mins)

6.

Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate

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.

 

The Ynni’r Fro Mid-term Evaluation can be found here:

 

http://wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/evaluation-ynnir-fro/?lang=en

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

 

In point 2, delete ‘Welcomes’ and replace with ‘Notes’.

 

Amendment 2 - Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

 

In point 3, delete ‘Regrets’ and replace with ‘Notes’.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

Decision:

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.

Voting Time

The item started at 17.46.

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

7.

Short Debate - Postponed

NDM5528 Nick Ramsay (Monmouth)

 

Voice – Speaking up for people living with Motor Neurone Disease in Wales.

Decision:

 

NDM5528 Nick Ramsay (Monmouth)

 

Voice– Speaking up for people living with Motor Neurone Disease in Wales.

Record of Proceedings

Supporting documents: