Third Assembly Plenary Meeting
Votes and Proceedings (37)
Date: Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Time: 12.30pm
The Presiding Officer announced the results of the ballots for Members to submit proposals for legislation
The results were as follows:
The Legislative Competence Order Ballot was won by Helen Mary Jones, with her proposal on Carers.
The Measure Ballot was won Dai Lloyd, with his proposal on Impact Assessments for the Selling Off of Playing Fields.
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Item 1 - Questions to the Minister for Heritage
The first 11 questions were answered. Question 1 was withdrawn. Question 9 was transferred for written answer by the Minister for the Economy and Transport.
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1.07pm
Item 2 - Questions to the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing
Questions 3 and 11 were grouped together for answer. Question 4 was withdrawn. Question 6 was answered by the Deputy Minister for Housing. Question 10 was transferred for written answer by the Minister for the Economy and Transport.
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1.45pm
Item 3 - Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government
The first 11 Questions were answered. Question 7 was transferred for written answer by the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing. Questions 9 and 11 were grouped together for answer.
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2.29pm
Item 4 - Statement by the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills: Appointment of the Children’s Commissioner
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2.48pm
Motion to suspend Standing Orders
NDM3613 - Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
That the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with Standing Orders 35.6 and 35.8:
Suspends Standing Order 7.18 (i) and that part of Standing Order 6.10 that requires the weekly announcement under Standing Order 6.3 to constitute the timetable for business in Plenary for the following week, to allow the motions under Item 5 and 6 to be considered in Plenary on Wednesday 12 December 2007.
The Motion was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35.
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2.48pm
Item 5: Motions to establish and elect a Proposed Affordable Housing Legislative Competence Order Committee
NNDM3614 - Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 21.1, establishes a Committee to consider and report on the proposed 'The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (No. 5) Order 2008’ in relation to Affordable Housing, laid in the Table Office on 3 December 2007.
The Committee shall cease to exist once the related draft Order has been introduced under Standing Order 22.31.
NNDM3615 - Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 10.3, elects Alun Davies, Lesley Griffiths, Leanne Wood, Mark Isherwood and Peter Black as members of the Proposed Affordable Housing LCO Committee.
The Motions were agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35.
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2.48pm
Item 6: Motion to elect a Member to the Equality of Opportunity Committee
NNDM3616 - Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 10.3, elects Eleanor Burnham (Liberal Democrat) as a member of the Equality of Opportunity Committee in place of Mick Bates (Liberal Democrat).
The Motion was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35.
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2.49pm
Item 7 - Questions to the Assembly Commission
The question was answered.
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2.51pm
Item 8 - Debate on the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales' Annual Report 2006/07
NDM3834 - Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 7.61(vii):
Notes the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales' Annual Report 2006/07, which was laid in the Table Office on 26 June 2007.
The Motion was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35.
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3.17pm
Item 9 - Welsh Conservatives Debate
Point of Order - Nick Bourne raised a point of order about attendance by Ministers in Plenary Debates.
NDM3835 - William Graham (South Wales East)
The National Assembly for Wales:
Expresses grave concerns over the closures of small schools, and recognises:
a) the lack of policy and guidance available from the Welsh Assembly Government to support small schools;
b) the Assembly Government’s failure to recognise the excellent achievements of small schools; and
c) the Assembly Government’s failure to acknowledge the vital role small schools play within their wider local communities.
The following amendments have were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)
Delete all after "The National Assembly for Wales” and replace with:
"Welcomes:
a) The balanced policy adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government in respect of small schools, which puts the interests of learners first;
b) The current review of guidance on school organisation proposals, to ensure that it will accurately reflect recent and planned policy developments;
c) The continuation of existing grant arrangements for small and rural schools, making greater use of school buildings to improve viability.”
Amendment 2 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)
Add new point at the end of motion:
"Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to support the federation of smaller schools as an alternative to closure where appropriate.”
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
The results were as follows:
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
35 |
0 |
16 |
51 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
51 |
0 |
0 |
51 |
Amendment 2 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the Motion as amended:
NDM3835 - William Graham (South Wales East)
The National Assembly for Wales:
Welcomes:
a) The balanced policy adopted by the Welsh Assembly Government in respect of small schools, which puts the interests of learners first;
b) The current review of guidance on school organisation proposals, to ensure that it will accurately reflect recent and planned policy developments;
c) The continuation of existing grant arrangements for small and rural schools, making greater use of school buildings to improve viability.”
d) Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to support the federation of smaller schools as an alternative to closure where appropriate
A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
35 |
6 |
10 |
51 |
The Motion as amended was agreed.
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4.23pm
Item 10 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
NDM3836 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)
The National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the important contribution of specialist Nurses and allied professions such as physiotherapists to a healthier Wales.
2. Calls for a greater emphasis on the training and appointment of community-based Nurses to ensure more people can be treated in their community without the need to attend hospital.
The following amendments have were tabled:
Amendment 1 - Carwyn Jones (Bridgend)
Delete point 2 and replace with new point 2 :
"Welcomes the new emphasis in the One Wales agreement on the training and appointment of community-based Nurses to ensure more people can be treated in their community without the need to attend hospital.”
Amendment 2 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)
Add as new point at end of Motion:
"Notes the 27% shortfall in neo-natal nurses required to meet recommended minimum standards in Wales, and recognises the vital role community neonatal nurses have in helping parents make the transition from hospital to home.”
Amendment 3 - Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North)
Add new point at the end of motion:
"Recognises that we need a strategy for developing the role of community nursing.”
Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.
The results were as follows:
A vote was taken on Amendment 1:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
35 |
0 |
16 |
51 |
Amendment 1 was agreed.
A vote was taken on Amendment 2:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
17 |
0 |
34 |
51 |
Amendment 2 was not agreed.
A vote was taken on Amendment 3:
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
51 |
0 |
0 |
51 |
Amendment 3 was agreed.
A vote was taken on the Motion as amended:
NDM3836 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)
The National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises the important contribution of specialist Nurses and allied professions such as physiotherapists to a healthier Wales.
2. Welcomes the new emphasis in the One Wales agreement on the training and appointment of community-based Nurses to ensure more people can be treated in their community without the need to attend hospital
3. Recognises that we need a strategy for developing the role of community nursing.
For |
Abstain |
Against |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
41 |
2 |
8 |
51 |
The Motion as amended was agreed.
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5.18pm
The meeting was adjourned
5.23pm
The meeting reconvened for Voting Time
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5.26pm
Item 11 - Short Debate
NDM3837 - Huw Lewis (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney):
A Child's Christmas in Wales (2020).
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