Meeting Venue:
Video Conference via Zoom
Meeting date: 6 October 2020
Meeting time: 09.02 - 10.11
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Category |
Names |
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Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Rebecca Evans MS Siân Gwenllian MS Darren Millar MS |
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Committee Staff: |
Aled Elwyn Jones (Clerk) |
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Others in attendance |
Ann Jones MS, Deputy Presiding Officer Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive & Clerk of the Senedd Siwan Davies, Director of Senedd Business Siân Wilkins, Head of Chamber and Committee Service Julian Luke, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service Gwion Evans, Head of the Llywydd's Private Office Elin Roberts, Policy Adviser to the Llywydd Helen Carey, Welsh Government Bethan Garwood |
1 Introductions, apologies and substitutions
2 Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of last week’s meeting were agreed for publication.
3 Organisation of Business
3.1 This Week's Business
The Trefnydd informed Members that she has updated the title of the Counsel General statement on the English paper.
Selection of amendments
The Llywydd informed Business Managers that due to the volume of amendments tabled this week, she may use her powers not to select amendments where she deems it appropriate for the proper conduct of Senedd business.
The Llywydd also informed Business Managers that the Committee debate on Senedd Electoral Reform, ‘Senedd reform: The next steps’ has also attracted two amendments, which she will not be selecting in accordance with Standing Order 12.23(iii).
Order in the Siambr/on Zoom
The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she will be treating any more instances of Members unmuting themselves when not called as a matter of order, and that she will make an announcement to that effect on this prior to today’s plenary meeting.
3.2 Three Week Timetable of Government Business
The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the two updates to the three week timetable:
Tuesday 13 October 2020 -
· Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following together but with separate votes: (30 mins)
o The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 16) (Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham) Regulations 2020
o The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 17) Regulations 2020
Tuesday 3 November
The Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 (Amendment
of Schedule 1) Regulations 2020 (15 mins) – Postponed
until 24 November
3.3 Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business
Business Managers agreed that committee chairs should be asked whether their debates could be in 30 or 45 minute slots, rather than 60, as a matter of course.
Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:
Wednesday 4 November 2020 –
· Motion to note the annual report on the Senedd Commission's Official Languages Scheme for 2019-20 (30 mins)
· Debate on petitions: teaching history in schools (60 mins)
· Time allocated to the Brexit Party (60 mins)
4 Legislation
4.1 The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.16) (Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham) Regulations 2020
The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 12 October for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.
4.2 The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 17) Regulations 2020
The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 12 October for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.
4.3 Update on current Legislative Consent Memorandums
Business Committee noted the latest position on LCMs and agreed not to refer the SLCM (No.4) on the Fisheries Bill for scrutiny.
4.4 Coronavirus Regulations
The Business Committee considered the paper and concluded that a general shortening of timescales for the debate of Regulations, in combination with the availability of other opportunities to discuss new Regulations, provided a way forward.
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 16) (Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham) Regulations 2020 had no substantive changes from the No. 15 regulations, other than location.
Business Committee asked officials to consult with the Chair of the LJC Committee to find a way that such similar regulations can be considered in Plenary the week after they come into force in future.
5 Committees
5.1 Letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee
The Business Committee agreed to schedule a debate on the petition ‘P-05-1010 An independent inquiry into the 2020 flooding in Rhondda Cynon Taf so that lessons are learned’ in the next half term, with the preference that the debate be 30 minutes long.
Any Other Business
Seating
The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she will not be allowing seating allocated to party groups with Members not attending the Siambr to be allocated to Members of other groups or independent Members.
Meeting over the longer term
Business Managers discussed arrangements for hybrid meetings. The Llywydd stated that she would discuss the matter with the First Minister and asked Business Managers to discuss with their groups.