Meeting Venue:
Zoom
Meeting date: 1 February 2022
Meeting time: 09.00 - 09.35
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Category |
Names |
Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Lesley Griffiths MS Darren Millar MS Siân Gwenllian MS |
Committee Staff: |
Graeme Francis (Clerk) Yan Thomas (Deputy Clerk) |
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 Helen Carey, Welsh Government |
1 Introductions, apologies and substitutions
The Llywydd welcomed Members to the Committee
2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed for publication
3 Organisation of Business
3.1 This week's business
Tuesday
Wednesday
The Llywydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following change to Wednesday’s business:
Short
Debate – James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire)
(Withdrawn)
Business Committee discussed the resumption of hybrid Plenary proceedings and the arrangements in relation to breaks and interventions. The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind their Members that they are strongly advised to wear masks in the Chamber other than when speaking, and to take Lateral Flow Tests before attending the Senedd estate.
The Llywydd also asked Business Managers to remind their Members to keep to time limits for contributions in Plenary.
3.2 Three week timetable of Government Business
The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following changes:
Tuesday 8 February 2022 -
·
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Innovation in
Renewable Energy (45 mins) – will issue as a written
statement
·
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality (45
mins) – will issue as a written statement
· Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Energy Price Cap (45 mins)
Tuesday 15 February 2022 -
· The South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)
· The Corporate Joint Committees (Transport Functions) (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)
· The Plant Health etc. (Fees) (Amendment) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)
· The Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)
3.3 Three week timetable of Senedd Business
Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:
Wednesday 16 February 2022 –
Wednesday 2 March 2022 –
3.4 Debates on Members' Legislative Proposals - selection of motion for debate
Business Committee agreed to schedule the following motions for debate:
On Wednesday 9 February 2022:
NNDM7831 Mabon ap Gwynfor
To propose that Senedd:
1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on rent controls.
2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:
a) help combat some of the more severe effects of Wales’s housing
emergency, affecting over a million people across the nation;
b) mitigate significant future rent increases, such as those seen in the
rented sector over the last 12 months;
c) introduce a system which restricts rents and rent increases to
affordable levels and local factors, closing the gap between wage
growth and the cost of living.
On Wednesday 2 March 2022:
NNDM7833 Alun Davies
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes a proposal for a Bill to reduce the adverse impact of storm
overflows.
2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:
a) place a duty on a sewerage undertaker whose area is wholly or
mainly in Wales to secure a progressive reduction in the adverse
impact of discharges from the undertaker's storm overflows;
b) to reduce adverse impacts of sewerage discharges on both
the environment and on public health;
c) make the duty on a sewerage undertaker enforceable by the Welsh
Ministers or by the authority with the consent of, or in accordance
with a general authorisation given by, the Welsh Ministers.
On Wednesday 16 March 2022:
NNDM7896 Janet Finch-Saunders
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on marine planning in Wales.
2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:
a) make provisions for policies that would help guide the siting of
developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas,
minimise the cumulative impacts on vulnerable habitats and species,
and provide greater certainty to developers;
b) create a duty for the Welsh Government to facilitate the creation of
a National Marine Development Plan, and review it at least once in
every Senedd;
c) establish strategic resource areas for marine energy;
d) publish a strategy for reversing seabirds decline;
e) require that offshore wind farms include, habitat restoration of the
seabed; strategy for sustainable seafood harvesting from within the
area of the windfarm and, environmental enhancement measures.
4 Legislation
4.1 Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Health and Care Bill
Business Committee agreed to refer the Supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 3) on the Health and Care Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of the morning of 15 February 2022.
5 Committees
5.1 Letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee
Business Committee agreed to schedule a debate on petition P-05-949 Save Cowbridge Intermediate School for Girls on Wednesday 16 February 2022.
6 Committee Timetable
6.1 Letter from the Chair of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
The Committee noted the letter
7 Senedd Business
7.1 Scrutiny of Designated Members
Sian Gwenllian declared an interest as a Designated Member.
Business Committee considered the potential options for facilitating scrutiny of the Leader of Plaid Cymru and Designated Members on the Co-operation Agreement further, following Business Managers’ consultation with their groups.
The Conservative and Plaid Cymru groups were in favour of introducing mechanisms for scrutiny of Designated Members and the Leader of Plaid Cymru in Plenary. The Labour group and Liberal Democrat were not in favour.
There was therefore no majority in favour of proposing any changes to Standing Orders. However, Business Committee noted the existing mechanisms through which Designated Members and the Leader of Plaid Cymru can be scrutinised by Senedd committees.