Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 162(v3) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 10/10/2018 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

The first 7 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

 

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Leader of the House and Chief Whip

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.22

The first 7 questions were asked. The Deputy Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

 

(30 mins)

3.

Questions to the Assembly Commission

Minutes:

The item started at 15.09

Questions 1, 2, 4 and 5 were asked. Question 3 was withdrawn.

 

4.

Topical Questions

No Topical Questions were accepted.

Minutes:

No Topical Questions were accepted

 

(5 mins)

5.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.24

Jack Sargeant made a statement on: Today is World Mental Health Day.

Rhun ap Iorwerth  made a statement on RMS Leinster (100 years since it sunk).

Mark Isherwood made a statement on Celebrating Hospice Care Week 2018.

David Melding made a statement on World Homeless Day.

Llyr Gruffydd made a statement on celebrating 30 years of Canolfan Iaith Clwyd and 10 years of Gwefr heb Wifrau.

 

(5 mins)

6.

Motion to amend Standing Orders

NDM6825 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:

1. Considers the Report of the Business Committee, ‘Amending Standing Orders: Standing Orders 24, 25 and 27 – Section 116C Orders’, laid in the Table Office on 2 October 2018; and

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Orders 24, 25 and 27, as set out in Annex B of the Report of the Business Committee.

Supporting Document
Letters from Constitutional  and Legislative Affairs Committee to the Llywydd and the Welsh Government

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.33

NDM6825 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:

1. Considers the Report of the Business Committee, ‘Amending Standing Orders: Standing Orders 24, 25 and 27 – Section 116C Orders’, laid in the Table Office on 2 October 2018; and

2. Approves the proposal to revise Standing Orders 24, 25 and 27, as set out in Annex B of the Report of the Business Committee.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(30 mins)

7.

Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal

NDM6819 Helen Mary Jones (Mid and West Wales

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill to incorporate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons into Welsh law.

2. The purpose of this Bill would be to strengthen rights-based policy approaches to promote the rights of those with disabilities and use the UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons as a framework for future developments.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.42

NDM6819 Helen Mary Jones (Mid and West Wales

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill to incorporate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons into Welsh law.

2. The purpose of this Bill would be to strengthen rights-based policy approaches to promote the rights of those with disabilities and use the UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons as a framework for future developments.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

8.

Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee report: Building Resilience, inquiry into non-public funding of the arts - No motion tabled

Minutes:

No motion tabled.

(30 mins)

9.

Debate seeking the Assembly's agreement to introduce a Commission-proposed Bill - The Welsh Parliament and Elections (Wales) Bill

NDM6821 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the Assembly Commission’s report:“Creating a Parliament for Wales, Consultation Report”, October 2018;

2. Notes the Assembly Commission’s written statement: The Welsh Parliament and Elections (Wales) Bill;

3. Agrees to allow the Assembly Commission to introduce a Bill to:

a)    change the name of the National Assembly for Wales;

b)   extend the franchise for Assembly elections;

c)    amend the law relating to disqualification; and

d)   make other changes to, and associated with, the Assembly’s electoral and internal arrangements.

Creating a Parliament for Wales, Consultation Report

Assembly Commission written statement: The Welsh Parliament and Elections (Wales) Bill

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.05

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

NDM6821 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the Assembly Commission’s report:“Creating a Parliament for Wales, Consultation Report”, October 2018;

2. Notes the Assembly Commission’s written statement: The Welsh Parliament and Elections (Wales) Bill;

3. Agrees to allow the Assembly Commission to introduce a Bill to:

a)    change the name of the National Assembly for Wales;

b)   extend the franchise for Assembly elections;

c)    amend the law relating to disqualification; and

d)   make other changes to, and associated with, the Assembly’s electoral and internal arrangements.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

44

3

1

48

The motion was agreed.

 

(60 mins)

10.

Debate on NDM6813 - Disposal of dredged materials from the Bristol Channel

NDM6813

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the widespread public concerns in relation to the disposal of dredged materials from the Bristol Channel to locations off the coast of south Wales, relating to the construction of a new power station at Hinkley.

2. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) publish more detailed evidence in response to concerns regarding risks to public health and the environment, including allowing for further testing in order to provide greater transparency; and

b) instruct Natural Resources Wales to suspend the marine licence that enables the disposal activity and undertake a wide-ranging programme of engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholders across south Wales.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

2. Notes:

a)  under the terms of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Convention, 1972), to which the UK is a signatory, only materials with de minimis levels of radioactivity may be considered for disposal to sea;

b)  the conservative generic radiological assessment, developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, is the internationally agreed method for testing for de minimis levels of radioactivity and this method was used in the determination of the Hinkley marine licence; 

c)  the evidence within the National Assembly Petitions Committee report that Natural Resources Wales made its marine licence determination based on expert advice, in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency procedures for radiological assessments;

d)  all tests and assessments concluded the sediment to be disposed of is within safe limits, poses no radiological risk to human health or the environment, and is safe and suitable to be disposed of at sea.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to instruct Natural Resources Wales to carry out further public engagement to explain the process and evidence to reassure the public.

Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Convention, 1972)

Petitions Committee Report

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

Amendment 2 - Neil McEvoy (South Wales Central)

In point 2, add as new sub-points:

take into account the information provided by Emeritus Professor Keith Barnham regarding cooling pond accidents at Hinkley Point A in the 1960s; and

instruct Natural Resources Wales to carry out a full environmental impact assessment on the effect on the Welsh coast, the coastal population and Welsh marine environment of the dumping of sediment from Hinkley in the Cardiff Grounds.

Professor Keith Barnham, 'New evidence of the need to test Hinkley Point sediments for Uranium and Plutonium' - copy placed in the Members' Library.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.42

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM6813

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the widespread public concerns in relation to the disposal of dredged materials from the Bristol Channel to locations off the coast of south Wales, relating to the construction of a new power station at Hinkley.

2. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) publish more detailed evidence in response to concerns regarding risks to public health and the environment, including allowing for further testing in order to provide greater transparency; and

b) instruct Natural Resources Wales to suspend the marine licence that enables the disposal activity and undertake a wide-ranging programme of engagement and consultation with local communities and stakeholders across south Wales.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

22

0

26

48

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Julie James (Swansea West)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

2. Notes:

a)  under the terms of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Convention, 1972), to which the UK is a signatory, only materials with de minimis levels of radioactivity may be considered for disposal to sea;

b)  the conservative generic radiological assessment, developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, is the internationally agreed method for testing for de minimis levels of radioactivity and this method was used in the determination of the Hinkley marine licence;

c)  the evidence within the National Assembly Petitions Committee report that Natural Resources Wales made its marine licence determination based on expert advice, in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency procedures for radiological assessments;

d)  all tests and assessments concluded the sediment to be disposed of is within safe limits, poses no radiological risk to human health or the environment, and is safe and suitable to be disposed of at sea.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to instruct Natural Resources Wales to carry out further public engagement to explain the process and evidence to reassure the public.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

26

0

22

48

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 2 was de-selected

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6813

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the widespread public concerns in relation to the disposal of dredged materials from the Bristol Channel to locations off the coast of south Wales, relating to the construction of a new power station at Hinkley.

2. Notes:

a)  under the terms of the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Convention, 1972), to which the UK is a signatory, only materials with de minimis levels of radioactivity may be considered for disposal to sea;

b)  the conservative generic radiological assessment, developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency, is the internationally agreed method for testing for de minimis levels of radioactivity and this method was used in the determination of the Hinkley marine licence;

c)  the evidence within the National Assembly Petitions Committee report that Natural Resources Wales made its marine licence determination based on expert advice, in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency procedures for radiological assessments;

d)  all tests and assessments concluded the sediment to be disposed of is within safe limits, poses no radiological risk to human health or the environment, and is safe and suitable to be disposed of at sea.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to instruct Natural Resources Wales to carry out further public engagement to explain the process and evidence to reassure the public.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

38

0

10

48

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

11.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 17.35

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

12.

Short Debate

NDM6820 Mark Reckless (South Wales East)

Newport: economy, infrastructure and opportunities.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.38

NDM6820 Mark Reckless (South Wales East)

Newport: economy, infrastructure and opportunities.