Meeting Venue:
Conference Room 4B - Tŷ Hywel
Meeting date: 16 September 2025
Meeting time: 08.59 - 09.33
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Category |
Names |
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Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Paul Davies MS Heledd Fychan MS Jane Hutt 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 Julian Luke, Director of Senedd Business Bethan Davies, Head of Chamber and Committee Service Helen Carey, Welsh Government |
The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. No apologies were received.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.
Business Committee noted the following changes:
The Llywydd informed Business Managers of some changes to seating allocations in the Siambr. The Llywydd also noted that she has agreed proxy votes for Luke Fletcher and Vikki Howells.
Wednesday
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business:
Tuesday 23 September 2025
· Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Update on the Curriculum Roll Out (45 mins)
· Legislative Consent Motion: The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill (15 mins)
Tuesday 30 September 2025
· Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill (60 mins)
· Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language: Priorities for Welsh Place Names (45 mins)
· Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The Future of the Crown Estate in Wales (45 mins)
· Statement by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing: The NHS Wales App (45 mins)
The Trefnydd noted that she will confirm additional items that will be added to the agenda for Tuesday 23 September as soon as possible.
Business Managers agreed the following changes to the Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business:
Wednesday 24 September 2025 –
Wednesday 8 October 2025 –
The Business Committee noted that it has agreed to refer the Bill to the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee for scrutiny of the general principles. It agreed to formally consult with that Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny and return to the matter at a future meeting.
The Business Committee noted correspondence between the Chair of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee and the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. The Trefnydd noted that the Bill has been published in draft, and a draft Explanatory Memorandum and other documentation has been shared with the Committee in advance of introduction.
The Llywydd raised the issue of a judicial review application and how that may impact upon scrutiny of the Bill. Business Committee agreed to consider further advice on this matter.
The Business Committee noted that it has agreed to refer the Bill to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs (ETRA) Committee for scrutiny of the general principles. It considered the revised timetable for scrutiny being put forward by the Welsh Government as compared with the version considered prior to the summer recess. It noted also correspondence previously received from the Chair of the ETRA Committee regarding the difficulties posed by the original timetable.
The Llywydd and Business Managers expressed concern at the impact that losing two further weeks in the timetable for stage 1 would pose for committees and asked for further information on the reasons behind the delay. The Trefnydd responded that the development process for the Bill has taken longer than anticipated and that the Government will provide a draft version of the Bill to the responsible committee and relevant stakeholders four weeks prior to introduction, in line with the approach taken on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill. She agreed to take the concerns raised back to colleagues.
The Business Committee agreed to formally consult with the ETRA Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny and return to the matter at a future meeting.
Business Committee considered an update from the Trefnydd and agreed to:
Business Committee noted the letter from the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee about difficulties faced meeting reporting deadlines for LCMs.
The Business Committee agreed to a request for the Llywydd’s Committee to be able to meet on the morning of 6 November 2025.
The Business Committee agreed to a request for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to meet on the morning on 4 November 2025.
The Business Committee noted the arrangements for the visit.
Any other business: Committee vacancies
The Llywydd noted that there are vacancies on Senedd Commission, the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee and the Local Government and Housing Committee. The Conservative group requested that the Business Committee agree to propose that Joel James MS be elected as a member of the Local Government and Housing Committee.
The Llywydd noted that the Business Committee is required to offer Laura Anne Jones MS at least one place on a committee under Standing Order 17.10. The Conservative group agreed for Laura Anne Jones to be offered one of its places on the Children, Young People and Education Committee.
The Llywydd proposed that the Business Committee considers the other vacancies at a future meeting.