Meetings

The Business Committee considered and noted changes proposed by the Llywydd to the Guidance on the Proper Conduct of Senedd Business, resulting from amendments to Standing Orders and in relation to Debates on Members Legislative Proposals.

The Committee considered and noted the guidance.

The Trefnydd raised the following points:

• On identical amendments, the Government raised past experiences of Government amendments being deemed as inadmissible, and welcomed the guidance on the further options available in these circumstances.
• On the scope and relevance of Bills, the Government raised past experiences of being concerned that determining the relevance of amendments had not been consistent with the rules of scope.

Business Committee considered and indicated their contentment with proposed revisions to the Guidance on virtual and hybrid proceedings, relating to both Plenary and committee meetings. Business Managers also agreed proposed practical arrangements for the trial of pre-notification for remote voting in Plenary.

Business Committee agreed to return to further discussion of the current guidance on virtual and hybrid proceedings at the beginning of the autumn term.

Business Committee discussed the proposed changes to the Guidance. Darren Millar requested further advice be provided on the use of the casting vote in relation to decisions over leave to proceed on Member Bills in other parliaments. The Trefnydd asked that guidance in respect of Leaders and Spokespeople questions be revised to so indicate that they should not be used for solely constituency matters. The Llywydd indicated that she would give further consideration to the issues raised. 

Business Managers considered the current guidance on spokespeople questions and agreed to amend the wording slightly, to allow the questions to deviate from a broad theme in exceptional circumstances. The collated guidance has therefore been agreed in its entirety by Business Managers and will be published shortly.

Collation of guidance issued by the Llywydd under Standing Order 6.17

Business Managers discussed the paper and agreed to return to the issue of Spokespeople’s questions next week.

Business Managers discussed a range of issues around the guidance and asked the Secretariat to bring a revised draft reflecting the changes agreed, and provide a notes on areas that require further consideration.

Business Managers agreed to a request from the Trefnydd to defer any discussion to 19 March to allow further consideration by the Labour group.

In response to a query by the Trefnydd over the inclusion of timings for ‘Debates seeking the Assembly’s leave to introduce a Member-proposed Bill’, Business Managers agreed to add the timings for Stages 1, 3 and 4.

The Trefnydd raised the possibility of reviewing the number of questions tabled for OAQs sessions, with a view to reducing it from the current fifteen. Other Business Managers indicated that they could be supportive of such a move, subject to consultation with their groups.

The Llywydd stated that Members should consult with their groups and return to it after half term.