Meeting Venue:
Zoom
Meeting date: 30 November 2021
Meeting time: 09.04 - 09.38
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Category |
Names |
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Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Lesley Griffiths MS Russell George MS Siân Gwenllian MS |
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Committee Staff: |
Graeme Francis (Clerk) Lowri Weatherburn (Deputy Clerk) |
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Others in attendance |
Jane Dodds MS David Rees MS, Deputy Presiding Officer Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive and Clerk Siwan Davies, Director of Senedd Business Siân Wilkins, Head of Chamber and Committee Service Julian Luke, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service Gwion Evans, Head of the Llywydd's Private Office Helen Carey, Welsh Government |
1 Introductions, apologies and substitutions
The Llywydd welcomed the Members to the meeting. Darren Miller sent his apologies and Russell George attended in his place.
2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.
3 Organisation of Business
3.1 This week's business
Tuesday
The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following additions to today’s agenda:
The statement on ‘A Healthier Wales’ and the LCM on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill have both been postponed to 11 January.
Wednesday
The Llywydd informed Business Managers of her intention to announce the Welsh Youth Parliament election results at the start of Plenary on Wednesday, before formal business is called.
The Llywydd noted that the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru is due to begin on 1 December. The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she has been in correspondence with the First Minister about the details of the agreement and has requested that information about how it will work in practice be shared with Members of the Senedd at the earliest opportunity. Once this information is available, the Llywydd stated her intention to make a statement to Plenary on any impact that the arrangements may have on the operation of Senedd Business.
3.2 Three week timetable of Government Business
The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following changes:
Tuesday 7 December 2021 -
Tuesday 14 December 2021 -
Tuesday 11 January 2022 -
3.3 Three week timetable of Senedd Business
Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:
Wednesday 12 January 2022 –
4 Legislation
4.1 Timetable for the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Bill
Business Committee agreed the timetable with an amended Stage 1 reporting deadline of 8 April 2022 at the request of the Finance Committee.
4.2 Legislative Consent Memorandums on the Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill and Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill and update on current Legislative Consent Memorandums
Business Managers agreed to refer the SLCM (No. 2) on the Advanced Research and Invention Agency Bill to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee.
Business Managers noted the exceptionally tight window for scrutiny and agreed that, given that committees were unlikely to be able to meet the reporting deadline proposed by the Welsh Government of 2 December, it would be possible for committee reports to be laid at any point before the Plenary debate takes place on 7 December.
Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill
Business Committee agreed to refer the SLCM (No. 2) on the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill to the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 9 December 2021. Business Managers noted the condensed window for scrutiny.
Update on current Legislative Consent Memorandums
Business Committee noted the latest update on LCMs from the Welsh Government.
5 Plenary
5.1 Letter from the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform
Business Committee agreed the request for Members of the Committee to be excused from Plenary at the times requested and noted reasons why the committee had been unable to find an alternative meeting slot on this occasion.
6 Committees
6.1 Letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee - Request for a debate in Plenary
Business Managers requested that further information on the current status of decisions relating to the future of the building be provided before they reach a decision on whether to agree to schedule a debate.
Any Other Business
Jane Dodds MS asked for clarity on the position of Members wearing face coverings in the Chamber when not speaking, noting that the wearing of masks has become more important and widespread in light of the new Covid-19 variant. The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind all Members of the current advice that face coverings should be worn in the Chamber when Members are not speaking and stated that she would reflect further on current advice and issue an update to Members if required.