Meeting Venue:
Tŷ Hywel
Meeting date: 12 September 2023
Meeting time: 09.10 - 10.03
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Category |
Names |
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Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Heledd Fychan Lesley Griffiths MS Darren Millar MS |
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Committee Staff: |
Graeme Francis (Clerk) Yan Thomas (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, Deputy Chief Executive and Clerk and Director of Senedd Business Julian Luke, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service, Bethan Davies, Head of Chamber and Committee Service Helen Carey, Welsh Government Dan Collier, Strategic Transformation Service |
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
Tuesday
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to Tuesday’s agenda:
· Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Education update on RAAC (30 mins)
·
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Independent Review
and Natural Resources Wales reports into flooding 2020-21
(30 45 mins)
· Statement by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change: 20mph default speed limit on restricted roads (45 mins)
· Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)
· LCM on the Energy Bill (30 mins)
· Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)
· LCM on the Non-Domestic Ratings Bill (15 mins)
· Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)
· Debate on the General Principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill (60 mins)
Darren Millar and Heledd Fychan requested an update on RAAC in other types of building. The Trefnydd indicated that she would consider further written or oral statements.
· Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.
· Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.00pm.
Wednesday
The Llywydd informed Business Managers of a minor change to Wednesday’s agenda:
3.2 Three week timetable of Government Business
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to the Three-Week Timetable of Government Business.
Tuesday 19 September 2023
· Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill (60 mins)
· Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Special Measures at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (45 mins)
· Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the General Principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill (15 mins)
Tuesday 26 September 2023
· Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Health and Social Care System Resilience (30 mins)
· Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Siarter Iaith (Welsh Language Charter): National Framework (30 mins)
· Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living (30 mins)
Heledd Fychan requested an oral update on the Budget 2023-24 following the written statement issued by the First Minister on 9 August. The Trefnydd indicated that the government would provide a further update once work being done by the Cabinet had been completed.
3.3 Three week timetable of Senedd Business
The following changes were agreed to the Three-Week Timetable of Senedd Business:
Wednesday 4 October 2023 –
4 Legislation
4.1 Letter from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd regarding the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill
The following changes were agreed to the Three-Week Timetable of Senedd Business:
Wednesday 4 October 2023 –
4.2 Update on LCMs
Business Committee received an update on current LCMs and agreed to:
4.3 Letter from the Minister for Climate Change regarding the Energy Bill
Business Committee noted the letter.
5 Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25
5.1 Letter from the Minister for Finance and Local Government regarding proposing changes to the Budget Business Protocol
Business Committee noted both letters and agreed to await the outcome of work by the Finance Committee.
5.2 Annex - Letter from the Minister for Finance and Local Government to the Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the proposed changes to the Budget Protocol
5.3 Letter from the Minister for Finance and Local Government to the Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the timetable for the 2024-25 budget
Business Committee noted the letter.
6 Committees
6.1 Letter from the Chair of the Reform Bill Committee regarding the Senedd Reform Bill timetable and allocation of slots in the committee timetable
Business Committee considered the Reform Bill Committee’s proposals for amending the timetable for scrutiny of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill. Business Committee accepted the changes proposed to the Stage 1 and Stage 2 deadlines and subsequently agreed a revised timetable for the Bill.
Business Committee also agreed to allocate the Reform Bill Committee the permanent meeting slot it had requested, noting that it would be for the Committee to decide how the meeting time provided should be used.
6.2 Letter from the Co-Chairs of the Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee regarding meeting slots
Business Committee agreed to the Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee meeting on the dates and times requested during the autumn 2023 term.
7 Procedural Work
7.1 Procedures required for scrutiny of SIs flowing from the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023
Business Committee considered the paper and agreed to consult with the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on the proposed approach to amending Standing Orders 21, 27 and 30C, and removing Standing Order 30B, with a view to subsequently proposing changes to the Senedd.
7.2 Topical Questions
Business Committee discussed feedback received from groups and a number of other matters concerning the current guidance and procedures for Topical Questions.
The Committee agreed that it would consider proposals for potential revisions to guidance at a future meeting.
7.3 Procedural Work Programme paper
Business Committee noted an update on the proposed scheduling of its procedural work.
Darren Millar proposed that consideration be given to establishing a time limit on ministerial responses to questions.