Agenda and minutes

The Presiding Officer welcomed Aled Roberts as the new Business Manager for the Liberal Democrats and conveyed her thanks to Peter Black for his valuable contribution to the Business Committee during his time as Business Manager. 

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

On Tuesday, Voting Time would be after the final item of business.  On Wednesday, the Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

The Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Business Committee agreed to bring forward the following item from 20 June 2012 to 13 June 2012:

·         Debate on the Environment & Sustainability Committee’s report on the Single Environment Body (60 mins)

The Business Committee agreed to reschedule the following item from 13 June 2012 to 20 June 2012:

·         Debate on the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee's Inquiry into the Provision of Affordable Housing in Wales (60 mins)

The Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 27 June 2012

·         Debate on the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee's Report on Powers Granted to Welsh Ministers in UK Laws (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Children and Young People Committee's on its Inquiry into the Implementation of the Learning & Skills (Wales) Measure 2009 (60 mins)

The Committee determined the organisation of Assembly Business.

The Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Local Government Finance Bill.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM to the Communities, Equalities and Local Government Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee agreed that the Committee should report on the LCM by Monday 25 June 2012 to allow the LCM to be debated in plenary on 26 June 2012. 

The Leader of the House agreed to provide Business Managers with further information on how the powers to establish council tax reduction schemes and other matters would be used and the opportunities for further scrutiny by the Assembly.

The Business Committee noted a letter from the Counsel General in response to draft proposals for Standing Orders on Consolidation Bills.  The Counsel General does not believe it would be appropriate to put Standing Orders in place at this point as he intends to look at the entire process in detail, in preparation for introducing a programme of consolidation bills.  Business Managers welcomed the opportunity for Assembly officials to work closely with the Office of the Legislative Counsel in developing these proposals. 

The Business Committee agreed a request from the Environment and Sustainability Committee to hold an additional formal meeting at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday 25 July 2012.

Business Managers agreed changes to Standing Orders 11.10, 17.3, 17.41 and 25.22 to resolve inconsistences or provide clarity.  The Secretariat will prepare a draft report for the Assembly to consider alongside the draft Standing Orders for Private Bills.

Business Managers considered proposals to revitalise and vary Assembly business on Wednesday afternoons and agreed to return to the issue once more, following further consultation with their groups.

The Business Committee approved the proposed tabling arrangements for Legislation and Chamber Services during the Whitsun recess period.