Concise Minutes - Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee


Meeting Venue:

Video conference via Zoom

Meeting date: Monday, 15 September 2025

Meeting time: 13.01 - 15.20
This meeting can be viewed
on Senedd TV at:
http://senedd.tv/en/15356


Remote

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Attendance

Category

Names

Members of the Senedd:

Mike Hedges MS (Chair)

Alun Davies MS

Samuel Kurtz MS

Adam Price MS

Witnesses:

 

Committee Staff:

P Gareth Williams (Clerk)

Gerallt Roberts (Second Clerk)

Sarah Sargent (Second Clerk)

Jennifer Cottle (Legal Adviser)

 

<AI1>

1       Introduction, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest

There were no apologies or substitutions.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2       Instruments that raise issues to be reported to the Senedd under Standing Order 21.2 or 21.3

</AI2>

<AI3>

2.1   SL(6)634 - The Amendments to Subordinate Legislation (Minimum Landing Size and Miscellaneous Corrections) (Wales) Order 2025

The Committee considered the instrument and agreed to report to the Senedd in line with the reporting points identified.

</AI3>

<AI4>

2.2   SL(6)635 - The Amendments to Subordinate Legislation (Miscellaneous Corrections) (Wales) Regulations 2025

The Committee considered the instrument and agreed to report to the Senedd in line with the reporting points identified.

</AI4>

<AI5>

2.3   SL(6)638 - The Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Committee considered the instrument and Welsh Government response and agreed to report to the Senedd in line with the reporting points identified.

</AI5>

<AI6>

2.4   SL(6)643 - The Marketing of Fruit Plant and Propagating Material (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Committee considered the instrument and Welsh Government response and agreed to report to the Senedd in line with the reporting point identified.

</AI6>

<AI7>

2.5   SL(6)644 - The Education (Student Support) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

The Committee considered the instrument and agreed to report to the Senedd in line with the reporting points identified.

</AI7>

<AI8>

3       Instruments that raise issues to be reported to the Senedd under Standing Order 21.2 or 21.3 - previously considered

</AI8>

<AI9>

3.1   SL(6)615 - The Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery.

</AI9>

<AI10>

4       Inter-Institutional Relations Agreement

</AI10>

<AI11>

4.1   Correspondence from the Welsh Government: Meetings of inter-ministerial groups

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Welsh Government in relation to meetings of: the Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee; the Inter-Ministerial Group for Housing, Communities and Local Government; the Inter-Ministerial Group on Justice; the British-Irish Council Summit; the Inter-Ministerial Group for Elections and Registration; the Culture and Creative Industries Inter-Ministerial Group; the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Inter-Ministerial Group; the Business and Industry Inter-Ministerial Group; and the Inter-Ministerial Group on Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change.

</AI11>

<AI12>

4.2   Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: Budget Cover Transfer to support digital inclusion activity in Wales

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip.

</AI12>

<AI13>

5       Papers to note

</AI13>

<AI14>

5.1   Correspondence from the Chairs' Forum to Committees: Reviewing Committee Effectiveness in the Sixth Senedd

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Chairs' Forum to Committees and agreed to consider it further at a future meeting.

</AI14>

<AI15>

5.2   Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee: The Data (Use and Access) Bill

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee.

</AI15>

<AI16>

5.3   Correspondence in relation to the UK Government response to the Review of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 and Public Consultation

The Committee noted the correspondence in relation to the UK Government response to the Review of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 and Public Consultation.

</AI16>

<AI17>

5.4   Correspondence from the Welsh Government: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) on the Employment Rights Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI17>

<AI18>

5.5   Correspondence from the Welsh Government: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Crime and Policing Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI18>

<AI19>

5.6   Correspondence from the Welsh Government: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) on the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI19>

<AI20>

5.7   Correspondence from the Welsh Government: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Victims and Courts Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI20>

<AI21>

5.8   Correspondence from the Welsh Government: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI21>

<AI22>

5.9   Correspondence from the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) on the Mental Health Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI22>

<AI23>

5.10 Correspondence from the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 4) on the Mental Health Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI23>

<AI24>

5.11 Correspondence from the Welsh Government: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Absent Voting  (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI24>

<AI25>

5.12 Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning: The Welsh Government's response to the Committee's report on the Welsh Government's Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill

The Committee noted the Welsh Government response to the Committee’s report.

</AI25>

<AI26>

5.13 Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee: The Welsh Government's Legislative Consent Memoranda on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee.

</AI26>

<AI27>

5.14 Correspondence in relation to the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill

The Committee noted the correspondence in relation to the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill.

</AI27>

<AI28>

5.15 Written Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Welsh Government Response to the Independent Water Commission Report

The Committee noted the Written Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

</AI28>

<AI29>

5.16 Correspondence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) Authority Interim Responses on the expansion of the UK ETS

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

</AI29>

<AI30>

5.17 Correspondence with the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales: Invitation to provide oral evidence

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales.

</AI30>

<AI31>

5.18 Correspondence from the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership: Regulations in relation to Part 3 of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership.

</AI31>

<AI32>

5.19 Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: HM Prison Parc

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care.

</AI32>

<AI33>

5.20 Written Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Preparing for the devolution of justice

The Committee noted the Written Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

</AI33>

<AI34>

5.21 Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales: The Bus Services (Wales) Bill

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.

</AI34>

<AI35>

5.22 Correspondence with the Welsh Government: Legislative Consent Memoranda in the final two terms of the sixth Senedd

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery.

</AI35>

<AI36>

5.23 President of the Welsh Tribunals: Annual Report 2024/2025

The Committee noted the President of the Welsh Tribunals’ Annual Report 2024/2025 and his Priorities for 2025/2026.

</AI36>

<AI37>

5.24 Written Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language: Public consultation on Making Changes to the Welsh Tax Acts

The Committee noted the Written Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language.

</AI37>

<AI38>

5.25 Correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning: The Trade Act 2021

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning.

</AI38>

<AI39>

5.26 House of Lords International Agreements Committee: Report on its review of treaty scrutiny

The Committee noted the report by the House of Lords International Agreements Committee.

</AI39>

<AI40>

6       Motion under Standing Order 17.42 (vi) and (ix) to resolve to exclude the public from the remainder of today's meeting

The motion was agreed.

</AI40>

<AI41>

7       Discussion on correspondence considered in public session

The Committee discussed correspondence considered in public session and agreed that it would write to:

the President of the Welsh Tribunals to invite him to give oral evidence to the Committee on his annual report for 2024/2025 and his priorities for 2025/2026.

</AI41>

<AI42>

8       Planning (Wales) Bill and Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill: Committee confirmation of approach to scrutiny

The Committee confirmed its agreed approach to scrutiny of the Bills and discussed its planned evidence-gathering on the Bills.

</AI42>

<AI43>

9       Welsh Government Draft Budget 2026-27: Approach to scrutiny

The Committee agreed its approach to scrutiny, and agreed to write to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, and the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery.

</AI43>

<AI44>

10    Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill: Draft report

The Committee agreed its draft report.

</AI44>

<AI45>

11    Legislative Consent Memoranda on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Draft report

The Committee agreed its draft report. The Committee also agreed to write to Business Committee.

</AI45>

<AI46>

12    Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) on the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats And Ferrets) Bill

The Committee considered the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) and agreed its draft report.

</AI46>

<AI47>

13    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Pension Schemes Bill

The Committee considered the Legislative Consent Memorandum and agreed to consider a draft report at a future meeting.

</AI47>

<AI48>

14    Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 5) on the Mental Health Bill: Draft report

The Committee considered the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 5) and agreed its draft report.

</AI48>

<AI49>

15    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill: Draft report

The Committee agreed its draft report.

</AI49>

<AI50>

16    Legislative Consent Memoranda on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: Draft report

The Committee considered the Legislative Consent Memoranda and agreed its draft report.

</AI50>

<AI51>

17    Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) on the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill: Draft report

The Committee considered the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 3) and agreed to consider a draft report on both Memorandum No. 3 and the recently-laid Memorandum No. 4 at next week’s meeting.

</AI51>

<AI52>

18    Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 4) on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill

The Committee considered the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 4) and agreed to consider a draft report at next week’s meeting.

</AI52>

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