Agenda and minutes

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 Business Committee noted that a temporary Deputy Presiding Officer would be required for Wednesday in the absence of the Deputy Presiding Officer.

The Leader of the House agreed to provide more information on the Designation of Features (Appeals) (Wales) Regulations 2012, scheduled for debate on 10 July.

The Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

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

Wednesday 11 July 2012-

·         Debate on the Health and Social Care Committee's Inquiry into the Contribution of Community Pharmacy to Health Services in Wales (45 mins)

·         Debate on the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee’s Report by the Task and Finish Group on the Future Outlook for the Media in Wales (45 mins)

·         Debate on Petitions Committee’s Report on Control of Noise from Wind Turbines (45 mins)

The Committee determined the organisation of Assembly Business.

The Business Committee agreed to refer the Public Audit (Wales) Bill to the Public Accounts Committee for consideration.  The Business Committee agreed a deadline of 23 November 2012 to report on the general principles of the Bill.  Subject to the Bill being agreed at Stage 1, the Business Committee agreed that Stage 2 Committee proceedings should be completed by 1 February 2013.

The Business Committee noted a letter from the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), expressing concerns with the proposed Stage 1 deadline given the difficulties PAC has been experiencing with its Tuesday morning slot and on-going demands of routine inquiry work.  The Business Committee agreed to consider the PAC meeting slot as part of the review of the committee structure.

The Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM to the Environment and Sustainability Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee agreed that the Committee should report on the LCM by Friday 27 July 2012 to allow the LCM to be debated in plenary on Tuesday 25 September 2012. 

The Business Committee considered and agreed its draft response to the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s (CLAC) Inquiry into Powers granted to Welsh Ministers in UK Laws, which will be laid before the Assembly and communicated to the CLAC in advance of the debate in Plenary scheduled for 27 June.

The Business Committee agreed a request from the Enterprise and Business Committee to hold informal meetings in and around Glyndwr University on Thursday 28 June 2012.

Business Managers gave further consideration to proposals to revitalise Assembly business on Wednesday afternoons and agreed to explore the possibility of introducing topical questions.