Elin Jones: Well, that's a very fair point, bearing in mind that the system that we have we've had in place for 10 years, as I said, with the subsidy of £1 per mile for travel. But, of course, we're very aware that during the last year to 18 months the cost of transport and bus hire in particular has risen very high for all kinds of events. So, I will take the question that you've asked and I will ask...
Elin Jones: Well, can I confirm, first of all, that the Commission has had to take the unfortunate step of having to close the Senedd on a Sunday due to cost pressures and the call on us by Members from across this Chamber, especially in your party, to look at cost reductions and reductions in budget, and therefore the Senedd is not open to the public on a Sunday? You'll know, of course, that we are...
Elin Jones: The Commission is reviewing the existing booking process for hosting events and meetings on the Senedd estate, following changes in the use of the estate post pandemic. The changes that will be introduced immediately include amending the booking form to create separate categories for room and event bookings and to be able to process requests more quickly. The new form will be tested and...
Elin Jones: Yes, we are aware that there are frustrations with the system currently about the availability of rooms and the booking of those rooms. And in light of the considerable changes, really, in how events and meetings carry on and want to carry on into the future as a result of COVID, especially hybrid meetings or virtual meetings being part of what we can offer now, as well as onsite meetings,...
Elin Jones: The Commission’s procurement policy is in line with the principles of the Wales Procurement Policy Statement. With regards to the purchase of materials, whenever we procure goods with a value in excess of £25K we undertake a sustainability risk assessment. This assessment looks at key life cycle impacts of the materials we buy.
Elin Jones: Yes, I’m aware of your support for that very important material, namely, wool in Wales. I share your ambition for that very sustainable material. We are in the eighteenth year in this Chamber, and the wool on the walls and the floor has lasted as long as that, which shows how good that product is. As you mentioned, there will be a period, if legislation demands it, when we will need to...
Elin Jones: The Commission has strict rules in place around the use of the Senedd estate. All events are reviewed to ensure that they meet our requirements, which include the prevention of activities that are considered discriminatory or offensive. Our communications team have tools in place to monitor the media and social media, in order to identify disinformation about the Senedd. The rise in...
Elin Jones: On the first part of your question, I was there, and I did witness myself the opportunity taken by the protestors outside to take advantage of the fact that our walls are windows, and to make sure that those of us sitting inside could read their placards. That is both an advantage and a disadvantage of our building. In that moment, I don't think anything could or should have been done, other...
Elin Jones: To respond to the debate, Peter Fox.
Elin Jones: The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? [Objection.] Yes, there is objection, therefore I will defer voting under this item until voting time.
Elin Jones: If I can just remind Members as well, if you have taken part in a debate, it is important for you to stay in the Chamber or on Zoom and listen to the debate being responded to, because you may well be named in that response, and you may well, sometimes, want to respond yourself. I think we all know who we're talking about. If some of you don't, then try and work it out.
Elin Jones: Item 10 is next, the Welsh Conservatives debate, again, on palliative care. I call on Mark Isherwood to move the motion.
Elin Jones: The Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being, Lynne Neagle.
Elin Jones: Russell George to reply to the debate.
Elin Jones: The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? No. That motion is therefore agreed.
Elin Jones: That now brings us to voting time and, unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, I will move directly to the first vote. That first vote is on item 6, the motion to amend Standing Orders on proxy voting. I call for vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Elin Jones. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 36, no abstentions, 12 against. And therefore the motion is agreed.
Elin Jones: The next vote is on item 8, the debate on a Member's legislative proposal, a Wales tourism Bill. I call for a vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Tom Giffard. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 24, 11 abstentions and 13 against. Therefore the motion is agreed.
Elin Jones: The next vote is on item 9, the Welsh Conservatives debate on local government funding. I call for a vote on the motion without amendment, tabled in the name of Darren Millar. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 12, no abstentions, 36 against. Therefore, the motion is not agreed.
Elin Jones: We'll move now to amendment 1, and, if amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be deselected. So, a vote on amendment 1 in the name of Lesley Griffiths. Open the vote. Close the vote. The vote is equal. In favour 24, no abstentions, and 24 against. And therefore I exercise my casting vote against amendment 1. And therefore amendment 1 is not agreed.
Elin Jones: Which leads us to a vote on amendment 2, and the amendment was tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 36, no abstentions and 12 against. And therefore amendment 2 is agreed.
