Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Expected timing: 218(v4) 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 26/06/2019 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd

Items
Expected timing No. Item

(60 mins)

1.

Joint debate with the Welsh Youth Parliament

NDM7100 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1.  Notes that the Welsh Youth Parliament’s work for the duration of its first term will focus on the following issues:

a) mental health and emotional wellbeing;

b) life skills in the curriculum; and

c) littering and plastic waste.

2. Confirms the Assembly’s commitment to support the work undertaken by Welsh Youth Parliament Members to engage young people across Wales.

3. Agrees the joint declaration outlining the Assembly and Welsh Youth Parliament‘s commitment to work together on behalf of the young people of Wales.

Declaration - Welsh Youth Parliament and Assembly

 

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

In accordance with Standing Order 13.3 the Llywydd, having consulted with Business Committee, invited eight Welsh Youth Parliament Members to participate in Assembly proceedings for the purpose of this joint item. 31 other Welsh Youth Parliament Members were also present in the Chamber for the item.

NDM7100 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1.  Notes that the Welsh Youth Parliament’s work for the duration of its first term will focus on the following issues:

a) mental health and emotional wellbeing;

b) life skills in the curriculum; and

c) littering and plastic waste.

2. Confirms the Assembly’s commitment to support the work undertaken by Welsh Youth Parliament Members to engage young people across Wales.

3. Agrees the joint declaration outlining the Assembly and Welsh Youth Parliament‘s commitment to work together on behalf of the young people of Wales.

Declaration - Welsh Youth Parliament and Assembly

In accordance with Standing Order 11.15(ii), voting on the motion under this item was taken at the end of the debate.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

48

0

0

48

The motion was agreed.

At 14.15, proceedings were suspended for 15 minutes. The bell was rung 5 minutes before reconvening.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 14.30

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

 

(45 mins)

3.

Questions to the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

 

Minutes:

The item started at 15.19

Questions 1 – 6 and 8 – 10 were asked. Question 7 was withdrawn. Questions 2, 8 and 9 was answered by the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

 

(30 mins)

4.

Questions to the Assembly Commission

Minutes:

The item started at 16.03

Both questions were asked.

 

(20 mins)

5.

Topical Questions

To ask the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport

 

Russelll George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an update on what support the Welsh Government has provided to construction company Jistcourt?

Minutes:

The item started at 16.14

To ask the Minister for Economy and Transport

 

Russelll George (Montgomeryshire): Will the Minister provide an update on what support the Welsh Government has provided to construction company Jistcourt?

 

(5 mins)

6.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 16.26

Dawn Bowden made a statement as the species champion for the European Eel

Vikki Howells made a statement commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Albion Mining Disaster (23 June 1894)

 

Committee Membership

NDM7109 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, removes Dawn Bowden (Labour) as a Member of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(60 mins)

7.

Debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report: Diversity in Local Government

NDM7099 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, 'Diversity in local government', which was laid in the Table Office on 4 April 2019.

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.30

NDM7099 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, 'Diversity in local government', which was laid in the Table Office on 4 April 2019.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(60 mins)

8.

Plaid Cymru debate - The Higher Education Sector

NDM7101 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the serious financial crisis facing the Welsh higher education sector, with significant job losses announced over the last twelve months amid concerns as to the financial sustainability of individual institutions.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to commission an urgent review of the financial sustainability of the Welsh university sector.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to give HEFCW an explicit mandate to intervene to prevent the bankruptcy of any higher education institution in Wales in the immediate future, by means of an emergency loan if necessary.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that any public funding to a Welsh university is contingent on vice-chancellor salaries being no more than five times median earnings.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure the adequacy and transparency of university oversight and governance arrangements, especially in relation to the expenditure of public funds.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to remit HEFCW, and any successor body, to exercise a partnership approach with students and university staff at all levels of decision-making, and to require universities to take account of student and staff views in making staffing decisions.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

1.    Recognises:

a.    that Universities in Wales and the UK are independent and autonomous institutions;

b.    the financial challenges facing the Higher Education sector across the UK, including Brexit and the decline in the number of 18 year olds;

2.    Welcomes:

a.    the introduction by the Welsh Government of the most generous student support system in the UK, and the significant increases in the number of part-time and post graduate students in Wales;

b.    the introduction of a fair and sustainable funding settlement for Welsh universities and the commitment to increase funding to HEFCW in each financial year for the lifetime of this Welsh Government;

c.    the sector-wide commitment in Wales to pay the real living wage to all staff, the increased openness and transparency in the reporting of senior pay, measures being taken to address the gender pay gap and the adoption of the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains;

d.    that Wales is the best performing nation in the UK for student satisfaction;

3.    Notes the Welsh Government’s remit to HEFCW to work in partnership with the sector to increase openness and transparency around the use of fee income and to strengthen governance and accountability.

Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains

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

Amendment 2- Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 3.

Amendment 3 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

In point 4, delete 'is contingent on vice-chancellor salaries being no more than five times median earnings' and replace with 'includes conditions to tackle excessive vice chancellor and senior leadership pay'.

Amendment 4 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to publish the information about the higher education sector's financial position that it takes into consideration before agreeing the sector's annual budget allocation.

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 17.25

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7101 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the serious financial crisis facing the Welsh higher education sector, with significant job losses announced over the last twelve months amid concerns as to the financial sustainability of individual institutions.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to commission an urgent review of the financial sustainability of the Welsh university sector.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to give HEFCW an explicit mandate to intervene to prevent the bankruptcy of any higher education institution in Wales in the immediate future, by means of an emergency loan if necessary.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that any public funding to a Welsh university is contingent on vice-chancellor salaries being no more than five times median earnings.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure the adequacy and transparency of university oversight and governance arrangements, especially in relation to the expenditure of public funds.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to remit HEFCW, and any successor body, to exercise a partnership approach with students and university staff at all levels of decision-making, and to require universities to take account of student and staff views in making staffing decisions.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

9

0

34

43

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

1.    Recognises:

a.    that Universities in Wales and the UK are independent and autonomous institutions;

b.    the financial challenges facing the Higher Education sector across the UK, including Brexit and the decline in the number of 18 year olds;

2.    Welcomes:

a.    the introduction by the Welsh Government of the most generous student support system in the UK, and the significant increases in the number of part-time and post graduate students in Wales;

b.    the introduction of a fair and sustainable funding settlement for Welsh universities and the commitment to increase funding to HEFCW in each financial year for the lifetime of this Welsh Government;

c.    the sector-wide commitment in Wales to pay the real living wage to all staff, the increased openness and transparency in the reporting of senior pay, measures being taken to address the gender pay gap and the adoption of the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains;

d.    that Wales is the best performing nation in the UK for student satisfaction;

3.    Notes the Welsh Government’s remit to HEFCW to work in partnership with the sector to increase openness and transparency around the use of fee income and to strengthen governance and accountability.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

18

43

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendments 2 and 3 were de-selected 

Amendment 4 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to publish the information about the higher education sector's financial position that it takes into consideration before agreeing the sector's annual budget allocation.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

0

25

43

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

NDM7101
Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

1.    Recognises:

a.    that Universities in Wales and the UK are independent and autonomous institutions;

b.    the financial challenges facing the Higher Education sector across the UK, including Brexit and the decline in the number of 18 year olds;

2.    Welcomes:

a.    the introduction by the Welsh Government of the most generous student support system in the UK, and the significant increases in the number of part-time and post graduate students in Wales;

b.    the introduction of a fair and sustainable funding settlement for Welsh universities and the commitment to increase funding to HEFCW in each financial year for the lifetime of this Welsh Government;

c.    the sector-wide commitment in Wales to pay the real living wage to all staff, the increased openness and transparency in the reporting of senior pay, measures being taken to address the gender pay gap and the adoption of the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains;

d.    that Wales is the best performing nation in the UK for student satisfaction;

3.    Notes the Welsh Government’s remit to HEFCW to work in partnership with the sector to increase openness and transparency around the use of fee income and to strengthen governance and accountability.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

25

0

19

44

The motion as amended was agreed.

 

9.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 18.21

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

10.

Short Debate - No motion tabled

Minutes:

No motion tabled

 

Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)

The item started at 18.23

NNDM7103 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Orders 33.6 and 33.8:

Suspends that part of Standing Order 11.16 that requires the weekly announcement under Standing Order 11.11 to constitute the timetable for business in Plenary for the following week, to allow Dawn Bowden’s Short Debate to be considered in Plenary on Wednesday, 26 June 2019.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

 

(30 mins)

11.

Short Debate

NNDM7098 - Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

Time to establish a legal right to adequate housing in Wales:

Making a national commitment to the fundamental principle that every one of us should have a human right, underpinned by law, to access adequate and sustainable housing.

Minutes:

The item started at 18.23

NNDM7098 - Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

Time to establish a legal right to adequate housing in Wales:

Making a national commitment to the fundamental principle that every one of us should have a human right, underpinned by law, to access adequate and sustainable housing.