Meetings

UK Covid Inquiry hearings

The Trefnydd notified Business Managers that the UK Covid Inquiry hearings in Wales, being held between 27 February - 14 March 2024, may affect the schedules of certain Ministers during the spring term.

Spokespeople Questions

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers of the aspect of the guidance regarding Spokespeople Questions which states that spokespeople are expected to use their questions to pursue a broad theme, following some recent examples where the questions asked have covered multiple, largely distinct subjects.

No Named Day Motions

Heledd Fychan raised No Named Day Motions and the mechanisms through which they could be debated in Plenary.

King’s Speech

The Trefnydd informed Business Committee that the Government aims to publish a Written Statement containing an early analysis of items expected to be of interest to the Senedd as soon as possible following today’s King’s Speech.

Publication of Emergency and Topical Questions

The Llywydd notified Business Managers that the necessary development work has now been completed and that, from this week, all Emergency and Topical Questions will be published on the Record website by the end of the week in which they were considered.

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind their groups that updated Guidance on the Proper Conduct of Senedd Business, including in relation to Topical Questions, was published and circulated to Members on 20 October.

The ‘Gender Quotas’ Bill

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that, subject to the Llywydd’s determination, the Government plans to introduce the Gender Quotas (Wales) Bill on 4 December 2023.

Spokespeople and Leaders’ questions

Russell George enquired as to whether the Llywydd expects spokespeople and leaders to use their questions to ministers to pursue a broad theme. The Llywydd confirmed that the Guidance on the Proper Conduct of Senedd Business states that this is an expectation of spokespeople’s questions, but not leaders’ questions

The Trefnydd highlighted a late finish that is currently anticipated for proceedings on Tuesday 21 November. Business Committee discussed several potential options for mitigating this and the Trefnydd agreed to consider further ahead of proposing government business for that date at the following meeting.

Member Bill ballot and review of selection process

Business Committee agreed that the next Member Bill ballot be conducted using the existing procedures, in advance of any review of the selection process that it may subsequently agree to conduct.

The Committee also noted that it is the Llywydd’s intention to announce during Plenary this week the date in the autumn term on which the next Member Bill ballot will be held, in order to enable Members to prepare.

Siân Gwenllian proposed that consideration of job sharing in non-executive additional office holder roles in the Senedd be brought forward to the autumn term. Business Committee agreed to continue with the existing programming of its procedural work, including to give further consideration to job sharing during 2024, and to consider an updated procedural work programme early in the autumn term.

The Llywydd raised the matter of Topical Questions following recent increases in the number of questions submitted and informed Business Committee that she intended to give further consideration as to whether any changes should be made to guidance in order to further clarify the criteria. Business Committee also discussed whether Topical Question submissions could be published in the same way as Emergency Questions and agreed to also consider both matters further, with a view to implementing any changes from early in the autumn term.

The Llywydd informed Business Managers of a proposed joint sitting with the Welsh Youth Parliament on Wednesday 21 June at 12.45 and that further information will be provided after half-term.

Darren Millar asked whether further consideration has been given to the organisation of committee and plenary business in light of the impact of Rhys ab Owen MS’s ongoing suspension from the Plaid Cymru Group. The Llywydd indicated that Business Committee would consider this matter further alongside any implications that arise from the Senedd’s consideration of the motion to establish a Senedd Committee during Plenary this afternoon.

Darren Millar proposed that Business Committee should give further consideration to the organisation of committee and plenary business in light of Rhys ab Owen MS’s ongoing suspension from the Plaid Cymru Group. The Llywydd agreed that advice would be provided for Business Committee’s consideration at a subsequent meeting. 

Tabling arrangements

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers’ of the changes required to tabling arrangements over the next two weeks due to the bank holidays on 1 and 8 May.

In addition to those changes, due to scheduled strike action on Friday 28 April, the ballot for oral questions to the First Minister, the Minister for Finance and Local Government and the Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd on 9 and 10 May will now take place on Thursday 27 April. Government motions for Tuesday 9 May will also be tabled by Thursday 27 April.

Legislative Consent Memoranda

Following an oral update from the Trefnydd, Business Committee agreed to:

• refer the supplementary LCM (Memorandum No. 5) on the Procurement Bill, laid on 6 February, to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny with a reporting deadline, for this and previous LCMs on this Bill, of 13 March 2023;
• refer the supplementary LCM (Memorandum No. 3) on the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, laid on 6 February, to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny with a reporting deadline, for this and previous LCMs on this Bill, of 13 March 2023.

Business Committee discussed preparatory work underway within the Welsh Government on the implications of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill for the Government and the Senedd.

Industrial action on 1 February

Business Committee discussed the impact on Senedd business of planned industrial action by members of the PCS Union on Wednesday 1 February.

In accordance with Standing Order 11.5(iv), a majority of the Committee voted to move Plenary business previously scheduled for 1 February, with the effect that no Plenary meeting would be held on that day. The Welsh Conservatives voted against rescheduling business from 1 February.

Business Committee agreed to move Topical Questions and Questions to the Minister for Economy and the Minister for Health and Social Services to 31 January, and to reschedule the Member Debate, Children, Young People and Education Committee debate, Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives and the Short Debate to Wednesday 8 February. The Committee also agreed to schedule two Short Debates on 15 February.

Business Committee agreed to amend the deadline for tabling Oral Questions for answer on 31 January to Tuesday 24 January and to amend the deadline for tabling Oral Questions and motions for debate on 8 February to Tuesday 31 January.

Business Committee agreed that the Finance Committee and Local Government and Housing Committee could meet on the morning of Tuesday 31 January, in place of their meetings scheduled for 1 February.

Review of proxy voting provisions

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind their Members that the survey to inform the current review of proxy voting provisions will close at noon on Friday 20 January.

30-minute debates

The Llywydd raised the recent experience of opposition groups tabling two motions for debate during opposition time in Plenary, which can restrict the number and length of contributions from Members on significant subjects. The Llywydd indicated that Business Committee will be asked to consider a paper in the New Year on the timings for 30-minute debates, in the context of the wider scheduling of business.

Guidance on Virtual and Hybrid Proceedings

Business Committee noted that, following consultation with the Chairs’ Forum, the guidance agreed by Business Committee on 27 September has now been issued in full to Members under Standing Order 6.17.

Meeting on 15 November

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers of the arrangements for next week’s Business Committee meeting, which will include a public session to consider the Committee’s current work on Senedd Reform.

Senedd Reform Work

Business Committee agreed that its meeting on 15 November should start at 8.45 to enable standard business to be considered prior to the commencement of a public session on recommendations made by the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform. The Llywydd expressed her preference for the Committee to conduct that meeting in person.

Business Managers noted arrangements for a technical briefing on Business Committee’s current work on the recommendations of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform, which will take place on 19 October.

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill – timetable

Business Committee noted correspondence received from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and agreed to provide that Committee with the information requested.

Committee Timetable – Membership Clash

Business Committee returned to a discussion of the issue relating to the timetabling of the Children and Young People Committee and the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee raised by Siân Gwenllian during the previous meeting. Officials reported back on efforts by clerking teams to co-ordinate the business of the two committees concerned in order limit the impact on the Members concerned, in particular in relation to the current inquiry on Welsh in Education Strategic Plans. Sian Gwenllian thanked officials on both committees for their efforts.

Business Committee noted that such a close degree of co-ordination between committees is unlikely to be sustainable, and is not a long-term solution to the situation.

Update on LCMs  

The Trefnydd provided an oral update on LCMs relating to the Bill of Rights Bill and the Data Protection & Digital Information Bill. The Trefnydd informed the Committee that the Welsh Government will not introduce Legislative Consent Memorandums on these Bills at this time due to uncertainties around their passage at Westminster, but will provide a further update once the situation becomes clearer.

Senedd Reform

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that a paper containing further details of the proposed approach to considering matters relating to the anticipated Senedd Reform Bill will be brought forward for consideration at the meeting on 4 October, and that Business Managers will be offered the opportunity for a briefing with officials supporting Business Committee prior to that.

Committee Timetable

Siân Gwenllian raised an issue relating to the timetabling of the Children and Young People Committee and the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee and the impact on Members of the Plaid Cymru group, due to the committees making regular use of their reserve slots. Business Committee noted that the changes to the timetable had been made in response to committees’ requests for more meeting time and that there were currently no membership clashes within the timetable. It was agreed that officials would discuss the current issue directly with the committees concerned in order to identify any practical solutions.

Member Bill Ballot 

The Llywydd informed Business Committee that she will announce in Plenary this afternoon that the next ballot for Member Bills will be held on 13 July. Information on the process will be circulated to Members before the end of the day. 

The Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC)

The Llywydd invited Business Managers to draw to the attention of their groups the issue of attendance to the Annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference which is being held in Canada between 20-26 August. CPA branch rules set out that the delegate should be a female Member on occasions, such as this year, when the CPC coincides with the Triennial Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference and election, . However, the branch has not received an application from a female Member. Business Managers are invited to inform their groups and to seek any applications from female Members.

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind their Members that they have until close of play on Thursday 9 June to provide a response to the survey which forms part of Business Committee’s review of Standing Order 34 and remote participation in Senedd proceedings.

Darren Millar asked when the next Member Bill ballot will take place. The Llywydd indicated that she would shortly be considering advice and that it is her intention to hold another ballot at the earliest opportunity. 

Review of remote participation and Standing Order 34

The Llywydd informed Business Committee that the Member questionnaire relating to the Business Committee review of Standing Order 34 (Emergency Procedures) and remote participation in Senedd business will be circulated following the meeting, with responses required by 9 June, and that the Chairs’ Forum will be discussing its response to the review at its meeting on 26 May.

The Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

Business Committee noted that Alun Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS would be representing the Senedd at the inaugural meeting of the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly on 12-13 May. The Committee agreed it would return to a discussion of the permanent membership at a future meeting.

The Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

The Llywydd informed Business Committee of her intended approach to appointing an interim Senedd delegation to the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly meeting on 12-13 May in Brussels and explained that, given the timings for this meeting only, she would be approaching the Chairs of two committees with relevant remits to represent the Senedd as observers: Huw Irranca-Davies, Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee; and Paul Davies, Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee. Once the delegation has been finalised, the Llywydd would inform the Business Committee.

The Llywydd stated that she will initiate a conversation later in the term with the Business Committee and the Chairs’ Forum about the composition of the Senedd’s delegations to the PPA and to the Interparliamentary Forum in the longer-term.

The Llywydd also updated the Committee on the current situation regarding the Senedd’s nominations for the UK delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe, which are yet to be ratified. The issue will be brought back for discussion should further consideration by Business Committee be required.

SLCM on the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill

At the proposal of the Trefnydd, Business Committee agreed to revise the reporting deadline for the Supplementary LCM on the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill from 3 March to 17 March.

Format of plenary participation

At the next meeting Business Committee would consider the format of plenary meetings after the half-term recess.  Business Committee also agreed to discuss initial views on hybrid participation for the long-term, which would inform a paper for consideration after half-term.

Nominations for the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the Committee of the Regions-UK Contact Group.

The Llywydd advised Business Managers that she would be making the following nominations:

Congress of Local and Regional Authorities:

• Full Member: Mabon ap Gwynfor MS
• Substitute Member: Buffy Williams MS

Committee of the Regions Contact Group:

• Alun Davies MS
• Laura Anne Jones MS

Nominations for the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and the Committee of the Regions-UK Contact Group.

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she has written to the Members proposed for nomination to discuss their preferences.

Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill SLCM

The Trefnydd informed Business Committee that the government had laid a supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum in relation to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on 5 November, and that the debate on LCMs relating to this Bill is scheduled for 30 November. 

Business Committee agreed to refer the supplementary LCM to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 25 November.

COP-26

Darren Millar raised concerns about the political balance of the delegation attending the COP-26 conference from the Senedd. A note on this will be circulated to Business Managers.

5.1 The Board considered an exceptional expense claim from a Member to fund the shortfall of their share of the office’s Non-Domestic Rates Bill for 2020-21.  The Board considered the claim and the evidence supplied. The Board agreed that the secretariat should explore the possibility of the Member reclaiming the expenditure their 2021-22 Office and Constituent Liaison allowance. The Board was of the firm view that it would not approve such a claim in future.

Actions: The secretariat to:

-       Draft a response to the Member in relation to the Exceptional Expense claim for Board agreement.

-       Consider alternative methods of circulating claims for Exceptional Expenses taking into consideration cyber security and data protection issues.