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’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, 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 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: 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: 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: The Commission provides opportunities for schools and colleges across Wales to come to the Senedd on educational visits. These visits, conducted with an educational officer, are two hours long and include a tour and educational session in Siambr Hywel. A travel subsidy of £1 per mile is available for visits from outside a 10-mile radius of the Senedd. The scheme has been in place for over 10...
Elin Jones: Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Elin Jones: I'm going to have to remind you that these are questions to the Counsel General and the Minister for the Constitution. I'm struggling with where you're going with this particular question, so, if you can bring it to the question.
Elin Jones: No, no. I just need to hear your question, basically, is what I was saying there, and I couldn't see where you were going with it.
Elin Jones: Questions now from the party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Mark Isherwood.
Elin Jones: Thank you, Minister.
Elin Jones: The next item is questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution, and the first question is from Jenny Rathbone.
Elin Jones: Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Sioned Williams.
Elin Jones: Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Joel James.
Elin Jones: Good afternoon and welcome, all, to this afternoon's Plenary meeting. The first item on our agenda this afternoon will be questions to the Minister for Social Justice, and the first question is from Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Elin Jones: That brings voting to a close and concludes our business for today.
Elin Jones: The final vote is on the debate on the Final Stage of the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill. I call for a vote on the motion to approve the Historic Environment (Wales) Bill. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 51, no abstentions and none against. Therefore, the motion is agreed.
Elin Jones: The next vote is on the LCM on the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. I call for a vote on the motion tabled in the name of Mick Antoniw. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 13, no abstentions, 38 against. Therefore, the motion is not agreed.
Elin Jones: The next vote is on the LCM on the Procurement Bill, motion 1, and this was tabled in the name of Rebecca Evans. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 39, no abstentions, and 12 against. Therefore, that motion is agreed.