Agenda and minutes

Venue: Y Siambr - Y Senedd. View directions

Reference: 251 

Media

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Transcript: Transcript for 08/01/2025 - Plenary

Items
Expected timing No. Item

This meeting was be held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

(45 mins)

1.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The item started at 13.30

Questions 1-2 and 4-8 were asked. Question 3 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

(45 mins)

2.

Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

Minutes:

The item started at 14.18

Questions 1-5 and 7- 8 were asked. Question 6 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

(10 mins)

3.

Questions to the Senedd Commission

Minutes:

The item started at 15.11

Questions 2 was asked. Question 1 was withdrawn.

(0 mins)

4.

Topical Questions

No topical questions were accepted

Minutes:

No Topical Questions were accepted

(5 mins)

5.

90 Second Statements

Minutes:

The item started at 15.18

John Griffiths made a statement on - Early Years Wales’s Movement Champion campaign.

Sian Gwenllian made a statement on - Launch of the first Welsh language support group for parents with postnatal mental health problems.

(30 mins)

6.

Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal - A Bill on the right to adequate housing

NDM8712 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on the incorporation of the right to adequate housing, as set out in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, into Welsh law.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) establish the right to adequate housing as a fundamental right in Welsh law, ensuring access to safe, secure, and affordable housing for all;

b) place a duty on Welsh Ministers and public authorities to progressively realise the right to adequate housing;

c) require regular assessments of housing needs and conditions, with targets set to reduce unmet housing needs and improve conditions over time;

d) strengthen tenant protections and support fair rental practices to ensure housing stability; and

e) establish mechanisms for individuals to seek redress if their right to adequate housing is violated or unmet.

Co-submitters

Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

Minutes:

The item started at 15.21

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

NDM8712 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on the incorporation of the right to adequate housing, as set out in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, into Welsh law.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) establish the right to adequate housing as a fundamental right in Welsh law, ensuring access to safe, secure, and affordable housing for all;

b) place a duty on Welsh Ministers and public authorities to progressively realise the right to adequate housing;

c) require regular assessments of housing needs and conditions, with targets set to reduce unmet housing needs and improve conditions over time;

d) strengthen tenant protections and support fair rental practices to ensure housing stability; and

e) establish mechanisms for individuals to seek redress if their right to adequate housing is violated or unmet.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

18

29

0

47

The motion was agreed.

(30 mins)

7.

Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal - A Bill on pet abduction

NDM8723 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a pet abduction Bill.

2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:

a) make the abduction of a pet a specific criminal offence in Wales;

b) recognise that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma;

c) recognise the significant and unique distress caused to an owner when a pet is stolen; and

d) bring Wales in line with legislation in England.

Minutes:

The item started at 15.53

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

NDM8723 Carolyn Thomas (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a pet abduction Bill.

2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:

a) make the abduction of a pet a specific criminal offence in Wales;

b) recognise that cats and dogs are not inanimate objects but sentient beings capable of experiencing distress and other emotional trauma;

c) recognise the significant and unique distress caused to an owner when a pet is stolen; and

d) bring Wales in line with legislation in England.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

31

15

0

46

The motion was agreed.

 

(60 mins)

8.

Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) - Establishment of a school of dentistry in Bangor

NDM8664 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the significant shortage of NHS dental services in north Wales, particularly in Arfon with only 36.6 per cent of the population able to receive treatment through the NHS, which is the lowest gambit in Wales; and,

b) the publication of "Filling the Gap", a report commissioned by Sian Gwenllian MS, which makes the case for establishing a school of dentistry in Bangor.

2. Believes:

a) that dental services in north Wales are in a state of emergency:

b) there is a severe shortage of NHS dentists in Arfon, leaving many patients, including children and vulnerable people, without proper access to basic dental care;

c) that the emergency departments of local hospitals are under additional pressure due to the lack of access to dentists, resulting in additional costs and waiting times;

d) that more dental training is needed;

e) that a significant number of students wishing to study dentistry are forced to leave Wales due to a lack of capacity in dental schools;

f) that a new  school of dentistry in Bangor could play a key role in training more dentists locally, offering a better chance of retaining the dental workforce in the region and providing essential services locally;

g) that the establishment of a school of dentistry in Bangor would provide quality new jobs and attract investment to the local economy, and boost Bangor as a centre of excellence in health, alongside the new medical school; and,

h) the school of dentistry could augment the provision of Welsh and bilingual dental services, improving access to health care for local Welsh-speaking communities.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) consider the economic and public health case for establishing a school of dentistry in Bangor based on the key findings presented in the Fill the Gap report;

b) ensure collaboration between the Welsh Government, Bangor University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and other relevant organisations to develop a feasibility plan for the establishment of the school of dentistry; and

c) invest strategically to establish the school of dentistry as part of wider efforts to improve access to health services in the region and to address the ongoing crisis regarding dental provision in Wales.

Co-submitters

Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

Sam Rowlands (North Wales)

Supporters

Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Mabon ap Gwynfor (Dwyfor Meirionnydd)

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Rhys ab Owen (South Wales Central)

Minutes:

The item started at 16.20

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

NDM8664 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the significant shortage of NHS dental services in north Wales, particularly in Arfon with only 36.6 per cent of the population able to receive treatment through the NHS, which is the lowest gambit in Wales; and,

b) the publication of "Filling the Gap", a report commissioned by Sian Gwenllian MS, which makes the case for establishing a school of dentistry in Bangor.

2. Believes:

a) that dental services in north Wales are in a state of emergency:

b) there is a severe shortage of NHS dentists in Arfon, leaving many patients, including children and vulnerable people, without proper access to basic dental care;

c) that the emergency departments of local hospitals are under additional pressure due to the lack of access to dentists, resulting in additional costs and waiting times;

d) that more dental training is needed;

e) that a significant number of students wishing to study dentistry are forced to leave Wales due to a lack of capacity in dental schools;

f) that a new  school of dentistry in Bangor could play a key role in training more dentists locally, offering a better chance of retaining the dental workforce in the region and providing essential services locally;

g) that the establishment of a school of dentistry in Bangor would provide quality new jobs and attract investment to the local economy, and boost Bangor as a centre of excellence in health, alongside the new medical school; and,

h) the school of dentistry could augment the provision of Welsh and bilingual dental services, improving access to health care for local Welsh-speaking communities.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) consider the economic and public health case for establishing a school of dentistry in Bangor based on the key findings presented in the Fill the Gap report;

b) ensure collaboration between the Welsh Government, Bangor University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and other relevant organisations to develop a feasibility plan for the establishment of the school of dentistry; and

c) invest strategically to establish the school of dentistry as part of wider efforts to improve access to health services in the region and to address the ongoing crisis regarding dental provision in Wales.

The result was as follows:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

29

17

0

46

The motion was agreed.

 

9.

Voting Time

Minutes:

The item started at 17.12

 

Votes Summary

Supporting documents:

(30 mins)

10.

Short Debate

NDM8767 Vaughan Gething (Cardiff South and Penarth)

The case for leaseholder reform in Wales

Minutes:

The item started at 17.16

NDM8767 Vaughan Gething (Cardiff South and Penarth)

The case for leaseholder reform in Wales