Meetings

NDM8423 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill.

Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 3

The item started at 18.09

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

NDM8423 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill.

Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 3

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

The amendments will be disposed of in the order which the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 agreed by the Senedd on 14 November 2023.

1. Requirement to set air quality targets

37, 73, 1, 74, 75, 76, 3, 4, 38, 5, 6, 39, 7, 8, 40, 9, 10, 41, 11, 12, 42, 13, 14, 43, 77, 78, 44, 45, 15, 16, 17, 18, 46, 19, 20, 47, 21, 22, 49, 23, 24, 51, 25, 26, 52, 27, 28, 53, 30, 31, 55, 33, 34, 56, 35, 36, 58, 79

2. Reporting, reviewing and monitoring in relation to air quality targets

48, 50, 54, 29, 32, 57, 59

3. Promoting awareness about air pollution

2

4. Promoting active travel as a way of reducing or limiting air pollution

86, 87

5. Requirement to consult on national air quality and soundscapes strategies

83, 84

6. Action plans in relation to air quality management areas

60, 61

7. Regulation of smoke and fuel in smoke control areas

62, 71, 81, 82

8. Trunk road charging schemes

63, 80, 64, 72, 68

9. Stationary idling offence: fixed penalty

65, 69

10. Office for Air Quality Protection

66

11. Definition of soundscapes

67, 70

12. National strategy on soundscapes

85

Supporting Documents

Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, as amended at Stage 2

Explanatory Memorandum

Marshalled List of Amendments

Grouping of Amendments

The item started at 16.21

The amendments were disposed of in the order that the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 agreed by the Senedd on 14 November 2023.

A vote was taken on amendment 37:

Amendment 37 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 73:

Amendment 73 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 74:

Amendment 74 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 75:

Amendment 75 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 76:

Amendment 76 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

Amendment 3 was not agreed. As amendment 3 was not agreed, amendments 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33 and 35 fell.

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment.  Therefore, the amendment  was not agreed.

As amendment 4 was not agreed, amendments 6, 8, 10, 12,14, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 31, 34 and 36 fell.

A vote was taken on amendment 38:

Amendment 38 was agreed. As amendment 38 was not agreed, amendments 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 47, 49, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56 and 58 fell.

A vote was taken on amendment 77:

Amendment 77 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 78:

Amendment 78 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 45:

Amendment 45 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 15:

Amendment 15 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 16:

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment  Therefore, the amendment  was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 17:

Amendment 17 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 18:

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment  Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 46:

Amendment 46 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 48:

Amendment 48 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 50:

Amendment 50 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 54:

Amendment 54 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 29:

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment  Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 32:

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment  Therefore, the amendment  was not agreed.

Amendment 57 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

A vote was taken on amendment 59:

Amendment 59 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 79:

Amendment 79 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the amendment  Therefore, the amendment  was not agreed.

Amendment 86 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

A vote was taken on amendment 83:

Amendment 83 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 60:

Amendment 60 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 61:

Amendment 61 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 62:

As amendment 62 was not agreed, amendments 71 fell.

Amendment 81 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 82 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

A vote was taken on amendment 63:

Amendment 63 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 80:

Amendment 80 was agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 64:

Amendment 64 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 72:

Amendment 72 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 65:

Amendment 65 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 66:

Amendment 66 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 67:

As amendment 67 was not agreed, amendment 70 fell.

A vote was taken on amendment 85:

Amendment 85 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 84:

Amendment 84 was agreed.

Amendment 87 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

A vote was taken on amendment 68:

Amendment 68 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on amendment 69:

Amendment 69 was not agreed.

All sections and schedules of the Bill were deemed agreed, concluding Stage 3 proceedings.

NDM8402 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that Senedd Cymru in accordance with Standing Order 26.36:

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) Sections 1-20;

b) Schedule 1; 

c) Sections 21-22;

d) Schedule 2;

e) Sections 23-30;

f) Long title.

The item started at 19.35

NDM8402 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

To propose that Senedd Cymru in accordance with Standing Order 26.36:

Agrees to dispose of sections and schedules to the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 in the following order:

a) Sections 1-20;

b) Schedule 1; 

c) Sections 21-22;

d) Schedule 2;

e) Sections 23-30;

f) Long title.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to the Chair of the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee.

9.1 The Committee considered issues relating to Stage 2.

9.2 The Committee agreed in accordance with Standing Order 26.21 to vary the consideration for Stage 2 proceedings on the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, and to consider the sections in the bill in the following order:

· Schedule 1 is considered immediately after Section 18; and

· Schedule 2 after Section 20.

NDM8352 Lee Waters (Llanelli)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

The item started at 18.30

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

NDM8352 Lee Waters (Llanelli)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

NNDM8343 Lee Waters (Llanelli)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill.

The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Senedd on 20 March 2023.

The report of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee on the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill was laid before the Senedd on 14 July 2023.

Supporting Documents
Welsh Government Response
Report of the Finance Committee
Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The item started at 17.56

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

NNDM8343 Lee Waters (Llanelli)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill.

The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Senedd on 20 March 2023.

The report of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee on the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill was laid before the Senedd on 14 July 2023.

Supporting Documents
Welsh Government Response
Report of the Finance Committee
Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The result was as follows:

The motion was agreed.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Minister.

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd to the Business Committee.

The Committee considered its draft report and agreed to consider minor changes outside of the meeting.

The Committee noted the letter from the Minister to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee.

9.1 Members agreed the draft report subject to a few minor amendments.

8.1 Members agreed the draft report subject to a few minor amendments.

The Committee considered its draft report and agreed to consider a revised report at a future meeting. The Committee also considered the correspondence with the Minister for Climate Change.

Supporting documents:

FIN(6)-10-23 P13 – Draft report

9.1 The Committee considered and agreed the report.

The Committee noted the correspondence with the Minister.

8.1 The Committee received a technical briefing from Welsh Government officials.

6.1 Members considered the evidence received from the Minister for Climate Change and Welsh Government officials, under items 2 and 3.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change

Olwen Spiller, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection - Welsh Government

Roger Herbert, Head of Air Quality Monitoring, Evidence and Assessment - Welsh Government

Helen Rowley, Lawyer – Welsh Government

3.1 The Committee continued to receive evidence from the Minister for Climate Change and officials.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change

Olwen Spiller, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection - Welsh Government

Roger Herbert, Head of Air Quality Monitoring, Evidence and Assessment - Welsh Government

Helen Rowley, Lawyer – Welsh Government

2.1 The Committee received evidence from the Minister for Climate Change and officials.

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence received under items 2 and 3.

Kristian James - Member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

Colin Cobbing, Director of Pinnacle Acoustics Consultants, and member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

2.1 The Committee received evidence from representatives of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.

Haf Elgar, Director - Friends of the Earth Cymru

Jenny Hawley, Policy Manager, Plantlife – representing Wales Environment Link

Nadia De Longhi, Head of Regulation and Permitting - Natural Resources Wales

Eirian MacDonald, Future Regulation Manager - Natural Resources Wales

2.1 The Committee received evidence from representatives of Friends of the Earth Cymru, Wales Environment Link, and Natural Resources Wales

The Committee considered the evidence it received from the Minister for Climate Change and agreed to consider its draft report at a future meeting.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change

Helen Rowley, Lawyer, Welsh Government

Rhian Williams, Bill Manager, Welsh Government

Olwen Spiller, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection, Welsh Government

Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill

Explanatory Memorandum

Statement of policy intent

The Committee received evidence from the Minister for Climate Change. The Committee agreed to write to the Minister with a number of further questions.

8.1 The Committee considered the evidence received under items 2 and 3.

Stephen Turner, Immediate Past President – Institute of Acoustics

Peter Rogers, Chair - Institute of Acoustics Parliamentary and Public Liaison Group

Rosie Pitt, Chair - Institute of Acoustics Welsh Branch

3.1 The Committee received evidence from representatives of the Institute of Acoustics.

Chris Ashley, Policy Lead, Environment and Vehicles - Road Haulage Association (RHA)

Christine Boston, Director - Sustrans Cymru

Joshua James, Public Affairs Manager - Living Streets

2.1 The Committee received evidence from representatives of the Road Haulage Association, Sustrans Cymru, and Living Streets.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Spokesperson for Regulatory Services – Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)

Ian Jones, Head of Service, Public Protection - Wrexham County Borough Council, and Environmental Protection Lead on behalf of Directors of Public Protection Wales (DPPW)

Steven Manning, Senior Scientific Officer (Community & Environment) - Newport City Council

Tom Price, Team Leader, Pollution Control - Swansea Council

4.1 The Committee received evidence from representatives of the Welsh Local Government Association, Directors of Public Protection Wales, and local authorities.

7.1 The Committee considered the evidence received under items 2,3 and 4.

Joseph Carter, Head of Devolved Nations - Asthma and Lung UK

Professor Gwyneth Davies, Professor of Respiratory Medicine & Respiratory Physician - Royal College of Physicians

Dr Sarah Jones, Consultant in Environmental Public Health - Public Health Wales

3.1 The Committee received evidence from representatives of Asthma and Lung UK, the Royal College of Physicians, and Public Health Wales.

Dr Victoria Jenkins, Associate Professor, Law - Swansea University

Professor Enda Hayes, Professor of Air Quality and Carbon Management – University of the West of England

2.1 The Committee received evidence from Professor Enda Hayes and Dr Victoria Jenkins.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change

Olwen Spiller, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection

Roger Herbert, Head of Air Quality Monitoring, Evidence and Assessment

Supporting documents:

Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill (PDF, 218KB)

Explanatory Memorandum (PDF, 2MB)

Research Service Brief

3.1 The Committee took evidence on the Financial Implications of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill from Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change; Olwen Spiller, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection; and Roger Herbert, Head of Air Quality Monitoring, Evidence and Assessment.

6.1 Members considered the evidence received from the Minister for Climate change under items 2 and 3.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change

Olwen Spiller, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection - Welsh Government

Roger Herbert, Head of Air Quality Monitoring, Evidence and Assessment - Welsh Government

Helen Rowley, Lawyer – Welsh Government

The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, as introduced

Explanatory Memorandum

Statement of policy intent

2.1 The Committee received evidence from the Minister for Climate Change.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change

Olwen Spiller, Deputy Head of Environmental Protection - Welsh Government

Roger Herbert, Head of Air Quality Monitoring, Evidence and Assessment - Welsh Government

Helen Rowley, Lawyer – Welsh Government

3.1 The Committee continued to receive evidence from the Minister for Climate Change.