Wednesday, 13 September 2023
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) in the Chair.
Good afternoon and welcome, all, to this afternoon's Plenary meeting. The first item on our agenda will be questions to the Minister for Social Justice, and the first question this afternoon is...
1. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Climate Change regarding the impact of blanket 20 mph speed limits on the work of the police and fire services? OQ59873
2. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact that blanket 20 mph speed limits will have on promoting prosperity and tackling poverty in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ59881
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Joel James.
3. What is the Welsh Government doing to alleviate fuel poverty? OQ59888
4. What discussions has the Minister had with the Older People's Commissioner for Wales about reducing loneliness and isolation amongst older people? OQ59860
5. What support is provided to foodbanks in South Wales Central to ensure that they continue to be able to meet people's needs? OQ59864
6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to deal with the cost-of-living premium facing residents in rural communities in Arfon, as highlighted in a recent report by the Bevan Foundation? OQ59879
7. Will the Minister make a statement on support for people from Ukraine seeking safety in Wales? OQ59893
9. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the performance of the Royal Mail in delivering its statutory services in Wales? OQ59894
Item 2 this afternoon is questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution, and the first question is from Delyth Jewell.
1. What legal advice did the Counsel General provide to the Welsh Government regarding the Ffos-y-frân opencast mine in Merthyr Tydfil when it continued to operate after its mining licence...
2. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with UK Government counterparts about the statutory inquiry into the Lucy Letby case? OQ59885
I now call on the party spokespeople. First of all, the Welsh Conservative spokesperson, Mark Isherwood.
3. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support legal advice centres? OQ59877
4. What discussions has the Counsel General had with the Ministry of Justice regarding the condition of the court estate in Wales? OQ59874
5. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government regarding potential relationships between Wales and the EU? OQ59890
6. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government about reducing the commission rate from the sale of residential park homes? OQ59861
7. Will the Counsel General make a statement on the availability of disaggregated data on the justice system in Wales? OQ59875
8. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the possible impact of a change of UK Government on the devolution settlement? OQ59891
Item 3 is next, questions to the Senedd Commission. All questions will be answered by Joyce Watson. Question 1, Mike Hedges.
1. Will the Commission make a statement on the security of the Senedd's e-mail system? OQ59866
2. How will the Commission facilitate closer and deeper relationships between the Senedd and the institutions of the EU? OQ59892
3. What assessment has the Commission made of the impact of the Senedd in engaging the people of Wales in Welsh democracy since devolution? OQ59883
The next item is the topical questions, and the first will be asked by Mabon ap Gwynfor.
1. Will the Minister provide an update on the safety of the health estate following the news that a major incident was declared at Withybush Hospital in August? TQ832
2. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government’s 2023-24 budget, in light of continued commentary by Ministers via the media over the summer? TQ836
3. Will the Minister provide an update on today's Welsh Government announcement that all of Wales' seven health boards are in escalation status? TQ841
We'll now move on to item 5, the 90-second statements, and the first today is from Heledd Fychan.
We'll move on now to item 6, a debate on petition P-06-1337, 'Sycharth, the home of Owain Glyndŵr, should be bought to safeguard the site for future generations'. I call on the Chair of the...
We move on now to item 7, which is a debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee report—'Unsustainable: debt fuelled by the rising cost of living', and I call on the Chair of the...
The following amendment has been selected: amendment 1 in the name of Heledd Fychan.
And that brings us to voting time, and, unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, I will proceed directly to voting time. So, the first vote this evening is on item 8, the Welsh...
We'll move now to the short debate.
What action is the Counsel General taking to ensure that legislation on increasing the number of Senedd Members and implementing gender quotas is implemented in time for the 2026 Senedd election?
What is the Welsh Government's current assessment of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on communities in Wales?
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
