Wednesday, 22 March 2023
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Good afternoon, and welcome, all, to this Plenary meeting. The first item on our agenda this afternoon is questions to the Minister for Finance and Local Government, and the first question this...
1. How will the Welsh Government support the successful efforts taking place in Arfon and elsewhere to attract more women to be county councillors? OQ59302
2. How is the Welsh Government supporting local authorities to provide access to local crematoriums? OQ59305
Questions now from party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Sam Rowlands.
3. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to encourage talented people to work in local government given the impact of the cost-of-living crisis? OQ59301
4. How is the Welsh Government working with local government colleagues to divest public sector pension funds from fossil fuel investments? OQ59293
5. What assessment has the Minister made of the financial legacy of the use of the private finance initiative in Wales? OQ59320
6. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Economy about additional financial support for Isle of Anglesey County Council following the announcement by the 2 Sisters Food...
7. Will the Minister make a statement on council tax rises in north Wales? OQ59306
8. What consideration did the Minister give to funding interventions that enable Welsh councils to tackle the impact of poverty in preparing the Government's budget for 2023-24? OQ59287
11. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's invest-to-save programme? OQ59284
The next item, therefore, is the questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, and the first question today is from Janet Finch-Saunders.
1. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Economy regarding the north Wales growth deal? OQ59294
2. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's strategy for the delivery of community green spaces? OQ59280
Questions now from party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Darren Millar.
3. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's priorities for improving the welfare of domestic animals in Cynon Valley? OQ59286
4. What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect bees? OQ59303
5. Will the Minister make a statement on the forthcoming consultation on the future of greyhound racing in Wales? OQ59319
6. What discussions has the Minister held with the Minister for Health and Social Services about a mother and baby unit for north Wales that would serve the people of Arfon? OQ59297
7. What assessment has the Minister made of the effectiveness of rural development fund spending on the Down to Earth project? OQ59296
8. Does the Minister have any plans to regulate cat breeding? OQ59300
9. Will the Minister provide an update on the Government's efforts to revive the rural economy? OQ59312
The next item will be the topical questions. There is one question this afternoon, to be answered by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. The question will be asked by Jack Sargeant.
1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact on Wales of the UK Government's decision to class Northern Powerhouse Rail as an England and Wales project? TQ746
Item 4 is the 90-second statements, and the first statement this afternoon is from Luke Fletcher.
Item 5 is next, a Member debate under Standing Order 11.21: prepayment meters and energy advice services. I call on Jack Sargeant to move the motion.
Item 6 is next, and it's the Welsh Conservatives debate. I call on Sam Rowlands to move the motion. Sam Rowlands.
The following amendment has been selected: amendment 1 in the name of Lesley Griffiths.
That brings us to voting time. And unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, I will proceed directly to voting time. Nobody seems to want the bell to be rung, so the first vote will be...
That is the short debate, and this afternoon's short debate is on fire safety in high-rise flats, a clear timetable for remediation for residents. I call on Rhys ab Owen to present the debate....
How does the Government ensure it has the statistics it needs to inform policy?
What is the Government doing to promote animal welfare in South Wales East?
The Senedd, officially known as the Welsh Parliament in English and Senedd Cymru in Welsh, is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. A democratically elected body, it makes laws for Wales, agrees certain taxes and scrutinises the Welsh Government. It is a bilingual institution, with both Welsh and English being the official languages of its business. From its creation in May 1999 until May 2020, the Senedd was known as the National Assembly for Wales (Welsh: Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru). – Wikipedia
