Minutes - Business Committee


Meeting Venue: Online

Meeting date: 16 April 2024

Meeting time: 09.01 - 09.20


Remote / Private

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Attendance

Category

Names

Committee Members:

Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair)

Heledd Fychan MS

Jane Hutt MS

Russell George 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, 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

 

<AI1>

1       Introductions, apologies and substitutions

The Llywydd welcomed members to the meeting. Apologies were received from Lesley Griffiths and Darren Millar. Jane Hutt and Russell George attended the meeting as substitutes.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2       Minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

</AI2>

<AI3>

3       Organisation of Business

</AI3>

<AI4>

3.1   This week's business

Tuesday

 

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes:

 

 

Following the resignation of the chairs of the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee after their appointment to Ministerial roles, Business Committee agreed that the chairs of those committees should continue to be allocated to the Labour group. Business Committee agreed that nominations would be invited following First Minister’s Questions today with the result of any ballots required announced prior to Voting Time.

 

 

Wednesday

 

The Llywydd informed Business Managers of the following changes:

 

·         Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Constitution and Cabinet Office Minister for Finance and Local Government (45 mins)

·         Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd (45 mins)

·         Motion to elect a Member to a committee (5 mins)

·         Motion to appoint a Member to the Senedd Commission (5 mins)

 

Business Committee agreed to table a motion to appoint Jane Hutt as a member of Business Committee in place of Lesley Griffiths.

 

Following his resignation, Business Committee confirmed that the Labour group should be invited to propose a Member to replace Ken Skates on the Senedd Commission and for a motion to be tabled for consideration on Wednesday.

 

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers of the timings for speaking contributions during the 30 minute opposition debates scheduled on Wednesday.

 

·         Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.10pm

</AI4>

<AI5>

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 23 April 2024

 

·         Questions to the Counsel General (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping (30 mins)

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language: Economic Priorities (30 mins)

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport: Transport Priorities (30 mins)

·         The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Wales) Regulations 2024 (15 mins)postponed

·         The Plant Health etc. (Miscellaneous Fees) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2024 (15 mins) - postponed

 

Wednesday 24 April 2024

 

·         Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip (45 mins)

·         Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution (45 mins)

 

Wednesday 1 May 2024

 

·         Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language Minister for Economy (45 mins)

·         Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Minister for Health and Social Services (45 mins)

 

</AI5>

<AI6>

3.3   Three week timetable of Senedd Business

The following changes were agreed to the Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business: 

 

Wednesday 24 April 2024 –

 

Wednesday 8 May 2024 –

·         Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee report: How we must all play our part - a public health approach to halting the epidemic in gender based violence (60 mins)

·         Debate on petition P-06-1392: Reform of the additional learning needs Code of Wales 2021 (30 mins)

</AI6>

<AI7>

3.4   Members’ Legislative Proposals: Selection of Motion for Debate

Business Committee considered the proposed motions for debate and agreed to schedule the following proposal on 24 April:

Janet Finch-Saunders

NNDM8504 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill that would make provisions for targets to strengthen food security in Wales.  

2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to create a duty for the Welsh Government to set targets to improve food security in Wales. 

</AI7>

<AI8>

3.5   Schedule for Oral Questions

Business Committee noted the new schedule for Oral Questions.

The Llywydd consulted Business Managers on whether spokespeople should be called to ask questions without notice to the Counsel General Designate considering the new ministerial responsibilities. In light of the views expressed, the Llywydd indicated that she would continue to call spokespeople to ask questions without notice and to keep arrangements under review.

</AI8>

<AI9>

4       Legislation

</AI9>

<AI10>

4.1   Update on LCMs

Business Committee received an update on current LCMs and agreed to:

Business Committee also noted that the supplementary LCM (Memorandum No. 2) on the Victim and Prisoners Bill was laid on 15 April 2024, having been referred at its previous meeting to the Equality and Social Justice Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 29 April 2024.

</AI10>

<AI11>

4.2   Paper to Note - Letter from the First Minister regarding the Members in charge of Government Bills

Business Committee noted the letter.

</AI11>

<AI12>

5       Procedural Work

</AI12>

<AI13>

5.1   Procedural Work Programme Update

Business Committee noted an update on the proposed scheduling of its procedural work. 

</AI13>

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