Meeting Venue:
Tŷ Hywel
Meeting date: 5 March 2024
Meeting time: 09.01 - 09.43
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Category |
Names |
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Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Lesley Griffiths MS Darren Millar MS Heledd Fychan MS |
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Committee Staff: |
Graeme Francis (Clerk) Yan Thomas (Deputy Clerk) |
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Others in attendance |
David Rees MS, Deputy Presiding Officer Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive and Clerk Siwan Davies, Deputy Chief Executive and Clerk and Director of Senedd Business Bethan Davies, Head of Chamber and Committee Service Julian Luke, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service Helen Carey, Welsh Government |
The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Apologies were received by Jane Dodds.
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The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication
Tuesday
· Voting Time will take place as the last item of Plenary business, prior to the Committee of the Whole Senedd.
· Plenary is unlikely to run past 4.45pm
Wednesday
·
Questions to the Senedd Commission (30 15 mins)
· There will be no Voting Time.
· Plenary is unlikely to run past 3.40pm
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business:
Tuesday 12 March 2024
· Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill (60 mins)
·
Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: The Warm Homes
Programme (30 45 mins)
· Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Services: Regional Integration Fund (30 mins)
· Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (15 mins):
o LCM on the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill – motion 1
o LCM on the Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill – motion 2
Tuesday 19 March 2024
· The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (5 mins)
Heledd Fychan sought an update on the request made on 20 February for an oral statement on investment in education and the training of healthcare professionals. The Trefnydd indicated that it would not be possible to schedule an oral statement until after the Easter Recess.
The following additions were agreed to the Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business:
Wednesday 13 March 2024 –
Wednesday 17 April 2024 –
· Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report - Performance of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (30 mins)
· Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report: Nuclear energy and the Welsh economy (60 minutes)
· Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
· Short Debate (30 mins)
Business Committee considered the proposed motions for debate and agreed to schedule the following proposal on 12 March:
Delyth Jewell
NNDM8460
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes a proposal for a Bill for increased safety on public transport.
2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:
a) introduce systems for the regular monitoring, reporting and upgrading of lighting for all public transport services, including on board, at stops and stations, and on streets immediately surrounding train stations and major bus stops;
b) review training currently offered to those working in the transport industry on the topic of personal safety, both their own and that of others;
c) improve existing reporting procedures and develop more consistent and transparent systems for reporting and recording incidents of abuse that affect vulnerable persons on public transport; and
d) assess the need for a statutory duty on public transport companies to guarantee that passengers get to their destination, or a place of safety, after dark.
Business Committee considered and noted a paper outlining the procedures for Stage 2 proceedings on the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill.
The Llywydd proposed that a break of approximately 30 minutes be taken between the end of Plenary and the start of the Committee proceedings, which was agreed by Business Managers. The Committee agreed a rough cut-off time for proceedings on Tuesday evening of 21.00.
Business Committee agreed that Plenary would begin at 13.00 on Tuesday and that further consideration will be given to whether an earlier start to proceedings (at 12.30 or 13.00) is required on Wednesday, following the conclusion of tonight’s proceedings.
Business Committee considered the response from the Reform Bill Committee on the Government’s proposed timetable for the Bill and the alternative timetable proposed by the Committee. The Deputy Presiding Officer, Darren Millar and Heledd Fychan noted that they are members of the Reform Bill Committee.
The Trefnydd stated that the Government’s proposed timetable, which includes an expedited timetable for Stage 1 scrutiny, was necessary to ensure that the Bill is implemented ahead of the 2026 Senedd election.
The Deputy Presiding Officer, as Chair of the Reform Bill Committee, expressed that Committee’s concern around the proposed timetable and a lack of clarity provided as to why an expedited timetable for Stage 1 is necessary. He also drew Business Committee’s attention to the short period of time that would be available to Members to table amendments to the Bill at stages 2 and 3 if the Government’s proposed timetable was agreed.
Heledd Fychan expressed that Plaid Cymru would not wish to put the Bill in jeopardy, however she also requested that further explanation be provided for the timetable being proposed by the Government.
Darren Millar expressed concern at the possibility of causing reputational damage to the Senedd if scrutiny is curtailed and called for Business Committee to agree the alternative timetable proposed by the Reform Bill Committee.
The Llywydd expressed her serious concern at the prospect of a curtailed period of scrutiny being agreed for this Bill and the need for additional reasoning to be provided by the Government. She noted the issues and concerns that have previously been raised by Senedd committees in relation to other Bills which have proceeded with expedited timetables for scrutiny.
Business Committee agreed to request an urgent note from the Welsh Government containing evidence as to why the Bill requires an expedited timetable and to consider the timetable further, via email or at the following meeting, once that has been received.
Business Committee agreed a request from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for it to meet earlier on 11 March 2024 in order to take evidence from the Minister for Climate Change.