Meeting Venue:
Remote - Digital
Meeting date: 4 July 2023
Meeting time: 09.00 - 10.17
------
------
|
Category |
Names |
|
Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Lesley Griffiths MS Darren Millar MS Heledd Fychan 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 Julian Luke, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service Bethan Davies, Head of Chamber and Committee Service Siân Wilkins, Head of Procedures and Parliamentary Skills Llinos Madeley, Procedures and Parliamentary Skills Helen Carey, Welsh Government |
1 Introductions, apologies and substitutions
The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. The Llywydd welcomed Heledd Fychan to her first Business Committee meeting and thanked Siân Gwenllian for her contributions to the work of the Committee.
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 informed Business Managers that she will answer FMQs today in place of the First Minister.
Business Committee agreed to propose that the Senedd elects the following Members to committees, and for the motions to be considered following the Business Statement and Announcement:
- Mabon ap Gwynfor to replace Rhun ap Iorwerth on the Health and Social Care Committee
- Heledd Fychan to replace Sioned Williams on the Children, Young People & Education Committee
- Luke Fletcher to replace Mabon ap Gwynfor on the Local Government and Housing Committee
- Llyr Gruffydd to replace Heledd Fychan on the Culture, Communication, Welsh Language, Sport & International Relations Committee
- Adam Price to replace Peredur Owen Griffiths on the Legislation, Justice & Constitution Committee
- Peredur Owen Griffiths to replace Luke Fletcher on the Petitions Committee
- Adam Price to replace Mabon ap Gwynfor on the Public Accounts Committee
Wednesday
The Llywydd drew attention to the following change:
3.2 Three week timetable of Government Business
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that the Stage 3 debate on the Health Service Procurement (Wales) Bill would need to be postponed from 11 July until the autumn term, due to the need for amendments to be tabled taking account of changes to the Procurement Bill at Westminster.
Consequently, the Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following changes:
Tuesday 11 July 2023
·
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Independent Review
and Natural Resources Wales reports into flooding 2020-21 (30
mins) – postponed until 12 September
·
Debate: Welsh Government Annual Report – delivering the
government’s priorities and legislative programme The
Policy Objectives and Legislative Programme of the Welsh Government
– the Welsh Government’s annual report (60 mins)
Renamed
·
Debate: Stage 3 of the Health Service Procurement (Wales) Bill
(90 mins) Postponed
Tuesday 12 September 2023
· Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Independent Review and Natural Resources Wales reports into flooding 2020-21 (30 mins)
3.3 Three week timetable of Senedd Business
The following changes were agreed to the Three-Week Timetable of Senedd Business:
Wednesday 12 July 2023 –
Wednesday 20 September 2023 –
3.4 Letter from the chairs of the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Petitions Committee regarding a joint debate on reports relating to care experienced children and young people
Business Committee agreed the request for the committees to hold a joint debate on their reports relating to care experienced children and young people, with the resulting change to the title for the debate to be reflected on the Business Statement and Announcement.Business Committee also noted that:
4 Legislation
4.1 Update on LCMs
Business Committee agreed to refer the LCM on the Energy Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 15 September.
The Committee noted a letter from the Temporary Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to the Minister for Climate Change expressing the Committee’s serious concern about the delay in the Welsh Government laying the LCM.
4.2 The Senedd Reform Bill - timetable
Business Committee considered a proposed timetable from the Welsh Government for the consideration of the Senedd Reform Bill and agreed to defer a decision on this matter until it has fully considered the arrangements for scrutiny of Bills relating to Senedd Reform, and had consulted with the chosen Committee on the proposed timetable for the Bill.
4.3 Scrutiny of Bills relating to Senedd Reform
Business Committee considered options for the general approach to the scrutiny of Bills relating to Senedd Reform and agreed to establish a standalone Bill committee and to refer the two Senedd Reform Bills to that Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny. Business Committee agreed that it would consider proposing to the Senedd that Stage 2 proceedings should be conducted by a Committee of the Whole Senedd.
Business Committee agreed to return to consider what the implications might be of the same Committee being asked to be responsible for scrutiny also of an anticipated Bill on electoral administration and reform Bill during the same period.
A majority of Business Committee agreed that the Labour group should be invited to nominate a Chair for the Committee. It was also agreed that the Committee should comprise four members (two Labour, one each from the Conservative and Plaid Cymru groups) and that further consideration would be given to options for including Jane Dodds. Business Committee agreed that that the Committee’s membership would be gender balanced.
The Secretariat will also share analysis of the current balance of committee chairs and members with Business Managers outside of the meeting.
5 Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25
5.1 Letter from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd regarding the timetable for publishing the draft and final budget 2024-25
Business Committee discussed the proposed timetable for publishing the draft and final budget 2024-25 and agreed to consult with the Finance Committee on the proposed timetable and to return to the matter at their first meeting in the autumn term.
6 Standing Orders
6.1 Consideration of draft report on amending Standing Orders: Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee
Business Committee considered and agreed a draft report containing a proposal for a temporary Standing Order on the Wales Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee. A motion for the Senedd to agree the proposed temporary Standing Order will be tabled for debate on Wednesday 12 July.
The Committee also agreed to write to the Independent Remuneration Board to provide a summary of its decisions and to inform the Board’s consideration of remuneration arrangements for the Co-chairs.