National Assembly for Wales

Building the foundations for change: the impact of the Welsh Government’s Neurological Conditions Delivery Plan

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Finance Committee on the Impact of variations in national and sub-national income tax, which was laid in the Table Office on 2 July 2020.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 16 September 2020.

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the housing crisis in many of Wales’s communities and specifically recognises the detrimental impact of unsustainable levels of second homes in depriving the ability of local people to access homes in those communities.

2. Welcomes the steps some local authorities have taken as a result of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 to introduce council tax premiums on second homes as one behaviour changing method around the use of second homes and to facilitate the introduction of measures to meet the local need for housing, but agrees that renewed intervention and leadership is now required at a national level.

3.  Calls on the Welsh Government to act immediately in developing and introducing a package of measures which would include but would not be limited to:

a) using the planning system to control the ability to change the use of a residential dwelling from a sole or main residence to a second home;

b) enabling the introduction of a cap on the proportion of the overall housing stock in a community which may be used as second homes in communities where the concentration of second homes is already unsustainable; 

c) modernising legislation which currently means that not a penny of council tax must be paid on some second homes; 

d) doubling the council tax premium which may be charged on second homes to at least 200 per cent to reinforce work already taking place in some local authorities in seeking to change behaviour around the use of second homes, generate revenue to be invested in social housing and to compensate communities for the detrimental impact of an overuse of second homes on local communities and local services; 

e) doubling the higher rates of land transaction tax for an initial period of six months in an attempt to prevent house prices from spiralling further beyond the reach of the local population and first time buyers in many communities; 

f) taking positive steps to promote access to housing at a price which is within the reach of the local market, including the possibility of encouraging the development of homes which have local market clauses attached; 

g)  encouraging and prioritising the purchase of empty homes by local authorities and housing associations in order to meet the local need for social housing; and

h) looking afresh at what constitutes an affordable home.

Housing (Wales) Act 2014

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the importance of higher and further education to Wales and its economy.

2. Believes that students deserve value for money in return for the investment they make in their higher and further education.

3. Regrets the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on students in Wales and the interruption to courses.

4. Welcomes the additional financial resources provided to Welsh colleges and universities to support them through the pandemic.

5. Notes that there has been no reduction in fees paid by students to reflect the adverse impact of the pandemic on their studies.

6. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) work with colleges and universities to ensure that fees reflect the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their courses;

b) ensure that students take the opportunity to access learning either in person or, in the event of unavoidable COVID-19 restrictions, through more live streaming;

c) address the concerns of students, employers, and further and higher education providers in relation to a narrowing of the syllabus of some courses which contribute towards entry requirements for colleges and universities.

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:

1. Considers the report of the Business Committee, ‘Amending Standing Orders - Oversight of the Electoral Commission’, laid in the Table Office on 16 September 2020;

2. Approves the proposals to amend Standing Orders as set out in Annex B of the report of the Business Committee; and

3. Notes that this motion takes effect when section 28 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020  is commenced by order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020.

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3:

1. Establishes the Llywydd’s Committee to carry out the functions set out in Standing Order 18.B2; and

2. Notes that this motion takes effect when section 28 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020  is commenced by order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020.

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Caroline Jones (Independent) as a member of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee.

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3 and 18B.4:

1. Elects the following as members of the Llywydd’s Committee:

a) The Deputy Presiding Officer as Chair of the Committee;

b) Llyr Gruffydd, (chair of the responsible committee under Standing Order 19); and

c) Rhianon Passmore (Welsh Labour), Suzy Davies (Welsh Conservatives), Dai Lloyd (Plaid Cymru), and David Rowlands (Brexit Party).

2. Notes that this motion takes effect when section 28 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020  is commenced by order made under Section 42 (3) (b) of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020.

Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020