Meetings

Business Committee noted an exchange of correspondence between the UK Government Minister of State for Equalities and Levelling Up Communities and the Llywydd regarding the Senedd’s nominations for the UK delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe, and agreed to discuss the issue further once a response has been received from the Minister. Business Committee asked officials for a background note on previous nominations to the Council of Europe.

The Committee considered and agreed its response to the Llywydd’s letter on the review of the committee timetable and remits.

NDM7781 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.5:

1. Establishes a Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform.

2. Agrees that the remit of the Committee is:

a) to consider the conclusions previously reached by the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform in the Fifth Senedd as set out in its report Senedd reform: The next steps laid before the Senedd on 10 September 2020;

b) by 31 May 2022, to make recommendations for policy instructions for a Welsh Government Bill on Senedd Reform.

3. Agrees that the Committee will be dissolved following a Plenary debate on its final report.

The item started at 15.24

NDM7801 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.5:

1. Establishes a Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform.

2. Agrees that the remit of the Committee is:

a) to consider the conclusions previously reached by the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform in the Fifth Senedd as set out in its report Senedd reform: The next steps laid before the Senedd on 10 September 2020;

b) by 31 May 2022, to make recommendations for policy instructions for a Welsh Government Bill on Senedd Reform.

3. Agrees that the Committee will be dissolved following a Plenary debate on its final report.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM7798 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1, establishes a Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister to scrutinise the First Minister on any matter relevant to the exercise of the functions of the Welsh Government.

The item started at 15.24

NDM7798 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1, establishes a Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister to scrutinise the First Minister on any matter relevant to the exercise of the functions of the Welsh Government.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Business Committee agreed to propose that a Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform be established with the following remit:

·         To consider the conclusions previously reached by the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform in the Fifth Senedd.

·         By 31 May 2022, to make recommendations for policy instructions for a Welsh Government Bill on Senedd Reform.

·         To be dissolved following a plenary debate on its final report.

Business Committee agreed to propose the following membership:

·         Chair - Huw Irranca-Davies MS (as Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee) in a non-voting role;

·         Llywydd – also in a non-voting role; and

·         a further four Members, with one from each of the Senedd’s four political parties. Weighted voting to be proposed, with each of the four voting Members having a vote equivalent to the number of Members in their group, or one vote if they are without a group.

Business Committee agreed to propose that the Committee’s recommendations to the Senedd must be supported by a weighted vote of at least 40. It was also suggested that any debate on the Committee’s report and recommendations should be subject to a super-majority in Plenary.

Business Committee agreed that the relevant motions should be taken tomorrow, which would require a suspension of Standing Orders.

Business Committee has previously decided that the Committee should have a membership of six which would comprise chairs of committees, to be nominated by groups - 3 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Plaid Cymru. 

Business Committee agreed that substitutes could be any Member from a group, other than Party Leaders. They also agreed that the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister should meet once per term, ideally in a location outside of Cardiff.

Business Committee agreed that the motions to establish the Committee should be taken tomorrow, which would require a suspension of Standing Orders.

Business Committee discussed arrangements for substitutions on the proposed SFM Committee and agreed to return to the matter at a future meeting. 

Business Committee agreed that the membership of six would comprise chairs of committees, to be nominated by groups (3 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Plaid Cymru).  Business Managers would discuss proposals for substitute membership of the committee with their groups and to return to the matter at next week’s meeting.

Business Committee agreed to propose the following remit for the Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee:

To scrutinise the First Minister on any matter relevant to the exercise of the functions of the Welsh Government.

Business Managers agreed to discuss the membership of the committee further with their groups and to return to the matter at next week’s meeting.

3.1 Members noted the remit.

2.1 Members noted the Committee’s remit.

2.1 The Committee noted the paper on its remit.

3.5a The Committee noted the letter the Llywydd in relation to Committee timetables.

2.1 The Committee noted the paper on its remit.

NDM7765 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1, establishes the Llywydd’s Committee to carry out the functions set out in Standing Order 18B.2.

The item started at 16.12

NDM7765 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1, establishes the Llywydd’s Committee to carry out the functions set out in Standing Order 18B.2.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Members noted the paper.

Business Committee considered the paper and agreed that high-level justice policy matters, such as the devolution of justice and policing, and any matters which relate to law-making, should be assigned to the LJC Committee.  Other matters which relate to the practical application of justice policy should be open to scrutiny by appropriate policy and legislation committees.

Business Committee agreed that the Deputy Presiding Officer should chair the committee, and that there would be three Labour members, two Conservatives and one Plaid Cymru member on the committee.

Business Managers agreed to discuss further the remit and membership of the committee, and return to the matter at their next meeting.

Business Committee agreed the  timetable, and also agreed to allow the Petitions Committee to have an additional meeting on Monday morning in week 1 to help it clear any petitions received over the summer.

2.1 The Members noted the Committee remit paper.

Business Committee agreed the allocations of committee membership, including allocating a place to Jane Dodds on the Equality and Social Justice Committee.

Business Committee agreed a timetable which allows the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to meet weekly, with all other committees meeting fortnightly. Some committees will also have the option of an extra slot in certain weeks. The Committee also agreed that that the Finance Committee could hold additional meetings for the purpose of budget scrutiny.

Business Committee also agreed the committee timetable for the final week of term, with an expectation that committees would meet fully virtually.

Business Committee agreed to table motions to elect Members to committees tomorrow.

Business Managers agreed to discuss with their groups and return to the matter at next week’s meeting.

Business Committee agreed that the Deputy Presiding Officer should Chair the Llywydd’s Committee, and to add motions to establish the committee and agree its membership to next Wednesday’s agenda.

The Presiding Officer will invite nominations for the chairs of the following committees, in accordance with Standing Order 17.2F:

1. Equality and Social Justice Committee (Labour)

2. Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee (Welsh Conservatives)

3. Finance Committee (Plaid Cymru)

4. Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Labour)

5. Petitions Committee (Labour)

6. Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee (Plaid Cymru)

7. Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee (Welsh Conservatives)

8. Health and Social Care Committee (Welsh Conservatives)

9. Local Government and Housing Committee (Labour)

10. Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee (Plaid Cymru)

11. Children, Young People and Education Committee (Labour)

12. Standards of Conduct Committee (Labour)

The item started at 13.30

The Presiding Officer invited nominations for committee chairs in accordance with Standing Order 17.2F. Nominations were called in the following order:

Equality and Social Justice Committee (Labour)

Jayne Bryant nominated Jenny Rathbone.

Mike Hedges seconded the nomination.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Jenny Rathbone was elected as Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee.

Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee (Welsh Conservatives)

Laura Anne Jones nominated Mark Isherwood.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Mark Isherwood was elected as Chair of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee.

Finance Committee (Plaid Cymru)

Delyth Jewell nominated Peredur Owen Griffiths.

Sioned Williams nominated Rhys ab Owen.

As there were two nominations, the Presiding Officer referred the nominations to a secret ballot in accordance with Standing Order 17.2I.

Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Labour)

Sarah Murphy nominated Huw Irranca-Davies.

Buffy Williams seconded the nomination.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Huw Irranca-Davies was elected as Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee.

Petitions Committee (Labour)

Jayne Bryant nominated Jack Sargeant.

Ken Skates seconded the nomination.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Jack Sargeant was elected as Chair of the Petitions Committee.

Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee (Plaid Cymru)

Llyr Gruffydd nominated Delyth Jewell.

Rhys ab Owen nominated Heledd Fychan.

As there were two nominations, the Presiding Officer referred the nominations to a secret ballot in accordance with Standing Order 17.2I.

Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee (Welsh Conservatives)

Laura Anne Jones nominated Paul Davies.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Paul Davies was elected as Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee.

Health and Social Care Committee (Welsh Conservatives)

Laura Anne Jones nominated Russell George.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Russell George was elected as Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee.

Local Government and Housing Committee (Labour)

Jayne Bryant nominated John Griffiths.

Ken Skates seconded the nomination.

Rhianon Passmore nominated Mike Hedges.

Jack Sargeant seconded the nomination.

As there were two nominations, the Presiding Officer referred the nominations to a secret ballot in accordance with Standing Order 17.2I.

Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee (Plaid Cymru)

Mabon ap Gwynfor nominated Llyr Gruffydd.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Llyr Gruffydd was elected as Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee.

Children, Young People and Education Committee (Labour)

Ken Skates nominated Jayne Bryant.

Jenny Rathbone seconded the nomination.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Jayne Bryant was elected as Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

Standards of Conduct Committee (Labour)

Huw Irranca-Davies nominated Vikki Howells.

Buffy Williams seconded the nomination.

As there was only one nomination and no objections to the nomination, the Presiding Officer declared that Vikki Howells was elected as Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee.

Business Committee agreed to table a motion on the membership of the Finance Committee for Plenary on Wednesday. The Committee also agreed to provide meeting slots for the committee on Friday 2 July and Thursday 8 July.

Business Managers discussed the arrangements for the remaining membership of committees and the timetabling options, and agreed to discuss these with their groups and return to the matter at their next meeting.

Business Committee agreed that the committee structure and timetable should be reviewed next Easter.

Business Committee agreed the titles and remits of committees, and agreed to propose motions to be considered in Plenary tomorrow. Business Committee agreed to return to the establishment of a Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee and the Llywydd’s Committee at a later date.

The Committee also agreed to propose a motion tomorrow for the allocation of chairs between political groups.

The committees to be established and the allocation of chairs are as follows:

·         Children, Young People and Education Committee - Labour;

·         Health and Social Care Committee – Welsh Conservatives;

·         Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs - Welsh Conservatives;

·         Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee - Plaid Cymru;

·         Equality and Social Justice - Labour;

·         Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International    Relations – Plaid Cymru;

·         Local Government and Housing - Labour;

·         Finance Committee – Plaid Cymru;

·         Public Accounts and Public Administration  Committee – Welsh Conservatives;

·         Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee - Labour;

·         Standards of Conduct Committee – Labour;

·         Petitions Committee – Labour.

Business Committee agreed that each policy and legislation committee should have six Members, and each specialist committee four, aside from the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee which will have five, as prescribed in Standing Orders.

The Committee agreed in principle that nominations and elections for Chairs would take place next Tuesday, with a view to agreeing the remaining membership of as many committees as possible next Wednesday.

Business Committee asked for the report to be amended in light of today’s discussions, so that it could be agreed out of Committee and laid tomorrow.

Business Managers agreed to consider the paper overnight and confirm that they are content the Ministerial responsibilities are all covered by the remits of the committees, as required by SO 16.4(ii).

Business Committee agreed that the ballots for Chairs should take place physically, with any Members unable to attend due to restrictions or medical reasons able to apply to vote by remote electronic means if required.

Business Committee discussed the proposed remits of the committees. Siân Gwenllian stated Plaid Cymru’s preference for constitution and legislation to sit in two different committees, given the likely workload. Darren Millar noted the Conservative group’s objection to a twelve committee model, as it does not allow for the allocation of chairs between the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru to reflect the relative size of the groups, and stated that should twelve committees be established, the group would expect to chair three of the larger committees.

Business Committee agreed to continue discussions on possible remits within a twelve committee model, and to reconvene later that day.

Committee remits

Business Managers agreed to discuss further with their groups.

Committee remits

Business Committee agreed to meet informally at 5pm today, for further discussion after this morning’s group meetings.

NDM7697 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1:

Establishes an Interim Subordinate Legislation Committee to carry out the functions of the responsible committee set out in Standing Order 21.

The item started at 16.37

NDM7697 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1:

Establishes an Interim Subordinate Legislation Committee to carry out the functions of the responsible committee set out in Standing Order 21.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Business Committee agreed to table the proposed motions to establish the Interim Committee on Subordinate Legislation (including its title, remit, membership and chair) for consideration in Plenary on Wednesday 26 May, as well as a motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow the motion to establish the committee to be considered. The Committee also noted the duration of the Interim Committee.

Business Managers agreed to consult their groups, with a view to the Business Committee taking decisions on its preferred approach at the next meeting. Officials would provide further modelling to inform consultation with groups.