Third Assembly Plenary Meeting
Votes and Proceedings (7)
Date: Wednesday, 20th June 2007
Time: 12.30pm
12.30pm
Item 1: Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services
The first 10 questions were answered. Question 9 was not asked.
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1.04pm
Item 2: Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport
The first 7 questions were answered. Question 5 was answered by the Deputy Minister with special responsibility for Regeneration.
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1.34pmUrgent Question - Eleanor Burnham (North Wales): Will the Minister for the Economy and Transport make a statement about the loss of 260 jobs at Graphoprint, a North Wales magazine and catalogue printer based on the Deeside industrial estate?
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1.42pm
Item 3: Plaid Cymru Debate
NDM3616 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
1. Recognises that businesses throughout Wales need to be encouraged to invest in order to expand, create more jobs and build a strong economy; and
2. Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to enhance and extend the business rate relief scheme at the earliest opportunity to make progress towards achieving this goal.
The following amendment was tabled:
Amendment - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)
Add new point at end of motion:
"Recognises the contribution that the targeted reduction of business rates can make to encourage businesses to improve their environmental and social contributions, and calls on the Assembly Government to seek the powers to enable such targeted reliefs to be introduced.”A vote was taken on the amendment:
| For | Abstain | Against | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 0 | 0 | 54 |
| For | Abstain | Against | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 0 | 0 | 53 |
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2.36pm
Item 4 - Welsh Conservatives Debate
2.50pm
The meeting was suspended
2.59pm
The meeting reconvened
Item 4 - Welsh Conservatives Debate - Continued
NDM3617 - William Graham (South Wales East) To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to: a) Draw up a programme of action in order to achieve annual carbon-equivalent emissions reductions of 3% per year by 2011 and set up an independent body to monitor the Government’s progress;b) Publish and implement a Renewable Energy Strategy with the aim of achieving a renewable energy target of 20% by 2015, with a greater emphasis on the diversity of technologies available;
c) Review the TAN8 planning guidance policy to ensure it promotes the full range of renewable energy sources. The following amendments were tabled: Amendment 1 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East) Add at end of point c):
"and creates a criteria based approach for consideration of renewable energy planning applications.”Amendment 1 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35. Amendment 2 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) Add new point at end of motion:
"Recognises the need for the business environment and culture to exist in Wales to encourage and facilitate investment in renewable technologies.”Amendment 2 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35. Amendment 3 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East) Add new point at end of motion:
"Seek devolution of planning decisions on energy projects over 50 MwH.”Amendment 3 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35. Amendment 4 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East) Add new point at end of motion:
"Develop incentives for marine renewables off the West Wales coast.”Amendment 4 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35. Amendment 5 - Jocelyn Davies (South Wales East) Add new point at end of motion:
"Launch an energy savings initiative which will provide energy efficiency and microgeneration grants and promote energy conservation.”Amendment 5 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 7.35. A vote was taken on the motion, as amended: To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: 1. Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to: a) Draw up a programme of action in order to achieve annual carbon-equivalent emissions reductions of 3% per year by 2011 and set up an independent body to monitor the Government’s progress;
b) Publish and implement a Renewable Energy Strategy with the aim of achieving a renewable energy target of 20% by 2015, with a greater emphasis on the diversity of technologies available;
c) Review the TAN8 planning guidance policy to ensure it promotes the full range of renewable energy sources and creates a criteria based approach for consideration of renewable energy planning applications. 2. Recognises the need for the business environment and culture to exist in Wales to encourage and facilitate investment in renewable technologies. 3. Seek devolution of planning decisions on energy projects over 50 MwH. 4. Develop incentives for marine renewables off the West Wales coast. 5. Launch an energy savings initiative which will provide energy efficiency and microgeneration grants and promote energy conservation.
| For | Abstain | Against | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 0 | 24 | 52 |
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3.40pm
Item 5 - Welsh Liberal Democrats Debate
NDM3618 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)
To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:
Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to establish an independent commission to investigate issues relating to the funding and financial powers of the Welsh Assembly Government.
The following amendment was tabled, but was not moved:
Amendment - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)
Delete "on the Welsh Assembly Government to establish"and replace with
"for the establishment of".A vote was taken on the motion:
| For | Abstain | Against | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 0 | 0 | 51 |
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4.33pm
Item 6 - Short Debate
NDM3619 - Angela Burns (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire):
The need for Withybush Hospital.
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