Meeting Venue:
Tŷ Hywel
Meeting date: 26 April 2022
Meeting time: 09.01 - 09.34
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Category |
Names |
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Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Lesley Griffiths MS Darren Millar MS Siân Gwenllian MS |
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Committee Staff: |
Graeme Francis (Clerk) Yan Thomas (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 Helen Carey, Welsh Government |
1 Introductions, apologies and substitutions
The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting
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
The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following changes:
Tuesday
Wednesday
The Committee discussed the position regarding the wearing of face-coverings. The Llywydd stated that the use of face-coverings will be encouraged within the Siambr.
3.2 Three week timetable of Government Business
The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following changes:
Tuesday 3 May 2022 -
· Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine (30 mins)
· Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: School Attendance (30 mins)
· Debate: Human Rights (60 mins)
Tuesday 10 May 2022 -
· Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Covid-19 (30 mins)
· The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) (Job-sharing and Assistants to the Executive) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)
Sian Gwenllian requested further information about The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) (Job-sharing and Assistants to the Executive) Regulations 2022. The Trefnydd agreed to provide this following the meeting.
3.3 Three week timetable of Senedd Business
Business Committee agreed to remove the following item of business:
Wednesday 4 May 2022 –
This was on the basis that no proposals had been received for Business Committee to select from by the recent deadline. Business Committee agreed that it would seek to avoid setting deadlines for submission of proposed motions from Members during recess periods in the future.
Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:
Wednesday 18 May 2022 –
· Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: Report on the Welsh Government’s marine policies (60 mins)
· Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
· Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
4 Legislation
4.1 Update on LCMs
Business Committee received an oral update on current LCMs and agreed:
4.2 The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 9) Regulations 2022
The Business Committee noted the letter and that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee has reported on the regulations ahead of the debate in Plenary on Tuesday 26 April
4.3 Letter from the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee regarding the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) on the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill
Business Committee noted the letter and that the concerns raised will be addressed as part of ongoing discussions about the LCM process between Senedd Commission officials and Welsh Government counterparts
4.4 Letter from the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee regarding their report on the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Bill
Business Committee noted the letter and the recommendation of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee in relation to amending Standing Orders. Business Committee agreed to return to consider the recommendation further if and when the Bill is enacted.
5 Committees
5.1 Letter from the Chair of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform
Business Committee agreed the request for Members of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform to be excused from Plenary from 15.30 on 27 April.
6 Any other business
The Parliamentary Partnership Assembly
The Llywydd informed Business Committee of her intended approach to appointing an interim Senedd delegation to the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly meeting on 12-13 May in Brussels and explained that, given the timings for this meeting only, she would be approaching the Chairs of two committees with relevant remits to represent the Senedd as observers: Huw Irranca-Davies, Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee; and Paul Davies, Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee. Once the delegation has been finalised, the Llywydd would inform the Business Committee.
The Llywydd stated that she will initiate a conversation later in the term with the Business Committee and the Chairs’ Forum about the composition of the Senedd’s delegations to the PPA and to the Interparliamentary Forum in the longer-term.
The Llywydd also updated the Committee on the current situation regarding the Senedd’s nominations for the UK delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe, which are yet to be ratified. The issue will be brought back for discussion should further consideration by Business Committee be required.