Meeting Venue:
Video Conference via Zoom
Meeting date: 10 November 2020
Meeting time: 09.00 - 09.28
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Category |
Names |
Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Rebecca Evans MS Siân Gwenllian MS Caroline Jones MS Darren Millar MS |
Committee Staff: |
Aled Elwyn Jones (Clerk) |
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 Helen Carey, Welsh Government Bethan Garwood, Deputy Clerk |
1 Introductions, apologies and substitutions
The Llywydd welcomed Caroline Jones on her return to the committee
2 Minutes of the previous meeting
3 Organisation of Business
3.1 This Week's Business
Stage 3 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that if it becomes clear that the Stage 3 will not be completed by the end of the day, the Minister for Housing and Local Government will move to adjourn proceedings to Wednesday.
Breaks
The Llywydd informed Business Managers that there would be a short break before voting time (if there is an objection to the motion under Item 4) or after the first group in Stage 3, and use her judgement on any breaks after that. Business Managers agreed that there should be a longer break around 7pm.
3.2 Three Week Timetable of Government Business
The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following changes:
Tuesday 17 November 2020
·
Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North
Wales: Economic Recovery Plan (45 mins) – Postponed
until 1 December
· Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Llwybr Newydd – A new Wales Transport Strategy (45 mins)
· Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following together but with separate votes: (30 mins)
o The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 4) (Wales) Regulations 2020
o The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2020
·
Debate: The Second Annual Report of the President of Welsh
Tribunals (30 mins) – Postponed until 1
December
·
Debate: Stage 4 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales)
Bill (15 mins) – Postponed until 18 November
Wednesday 18 November 2020
· Debate: Stage 4 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill (15 mins)
Tuesday 24 November 2020
· Debate: The Welsh Government's Annual Report for Cymraeg 2050 (2019-2020) and the Welsh Language Commissioner’s Annual Report (2019-2020) (60 mins)
3.3 Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business
Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:
Wednesday 2 December 2020 –
· Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Report: The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on journalism and local media. (30 mins)
· Debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee Report: The decarbonisation of transport (60 mins)
· Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
3.4 Member Debates: Selection of Motion for Debate
Business Committee agreed to schedule the following motion for debate on 18 November:
NNDM7455
Helen Mary Jones
Joyce Watson
Leanne Wood
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Believes that the UK Government should have held discussions with the Welsh Government and local representatives before housing asylum seekers at the Penally military base, near Tenby.
2. Believes that the decision should be reconsidered because it is an unsuitable place for asylum seekers, as it is isolated from appropriate support networks.
3. Condemns the violent protests organised by far right groups from outside Pembrokeshire.
4. Praises local residents and volunteers from across Wales who have welcomed and supported the asylum seekers
Supporters:
Mick Antoniw
John Griffiths
Llyr Gruffydd
Business Committee also agreed to schedule the following motion for debate on 9 December:
NNDM7462
Lynne Neagle
Bethan Sayed
Leanne Wood
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Recognises that the evidence is unequivocal that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, from pregnancy to age two, lay the foundations for a happy and healthy life and that the support and wellbeing of babies during this time is strongly linked to better outcomes later in life, including educational achievement, progress at work and better physical and mental health.
2. Notes that since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown and social distancing measures, a growing body of research indicates parents are facing unprecedented pressures, heightened anxieties, and are at increased risk of developing mental health problems in the perinatal period.
3. Notes that the Babies in Lockdown 2020 survey showed that for 66 per cent of respondents from Wales, parental mental health was cited as a main concern during lockdown: only 26 per cent felt confident that they could find help for mental health if they needed it and 69 per cent of parents felt the changes brought on by COVID-19 were affecting their unborn baby, baby or young child.
4. Notes that the New Parents and COVID-19 2020 research found that over half of the 257 respondents who have given birth since lockdown felt that their birth experience was more difficult than expected due to the coronavirus restrictions, more than 60 per cent not receiving any form of post-natal check-up and almost a quarter wanting perinatal mental health support..
5. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure services and support for families during pregnancy and the perinatal period are prioritised and that the midwifery, health visiting and perinatal mental health workforce is protected from redeployment during the pandemic.
6. Calls on the Welsh Government to proactively work with health boards to ensure women can be safely supported by their partners during hospital visits during pregnancy.
7. Calls on the Welsh Government to provide additional ring-fenced investment for perinatal mental health services and voluntary services to cope with the increase in demand because of COVID-19.
Supporters:
Dawn Bowden
Jayne Bryant
Alun Davies
Vikki Howells
Huw Irranca-Davies
Helen Mary Jones
Dai Lloyd
Neil McEvoy
Jenny Rathbone
David Rees
Jack Sargeant
4 Legislation
4.1 The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 4) (Wales) Regulations 2020
The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 16 November for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.
4.2 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Restrictions) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2020
The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 16 November 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. The Committee agreed to refer the LCM on the Financial Services Bill to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, and the SLCM on the Trade Bill to the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 18 December for both LCMs.
5 Committees
5.1 Senedd Timetable
Business Committee agreed the timetable for the spring term 2021 and the adjustments to the current timetable.
Any other business
Committee membership
Business Committee agreed to table motions to elect David Rowlands to the External Affairs and Additional Legislation, Standards of Conduct and Llywydd’s Committees. The Committee also agreed to table motions to allow Caroline Jones to be the alternate on the Standards of Conduct Committee, and Mandy Jones to take up the seat on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee.
Caroline Jones queried the rationale for not calling the Independent Alliance for Reform group to ask spokespeople or leaders’ questions. The Llywydd explained that this was at the discretion of the Chair, but that group Members would be called to contribute in proportion to the group’s representation in the Senedd.