Agenda and minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication. 

The Business Committee noted that a temporary DPO may be elected at the start of the meeting in the absence of the DPO.

The Business Committee agreed to extend the indicative timing for Commission questions from 15 mins to 30 mins.

Business Managers agreed that voting on the following motions will take place at the end of each item:

o   Motion under section 17(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 in relation to the disqualification of Aled Roberts (15 mins)

o   Motion under section 17(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 in relation to the disqualification of John Dixon (15 mins)

On Tuesday, voting on all other items will be deferred until Voting Time, which would take place after the last time of business. On Wednesday, the Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would be after the final item of business.

The Business Committee noted the organisation of business for 5 and 6 July 2011.

In view of the government’s scheduled debate on 12 July on a supplementary legislative consent motion on the Localism Bill, Business Managers agreed to invite the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee to report on the legislative consent motion before it is debated in Plenary on 12 July.

The Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Committee determined the organisation of Assembly Business, subject to the decisions made under items 3(iv) and 3(v).

The Business Committee considered a paper regarding the criteria for the selection of motions tabled by individual Members for debate.  Business Managers agreed that individual Member debates should proceed on a substantive amendable motion, supported by members from at least 3 parties, and disposed of with a vote.  The Committee agreed to initially schedule an hour debate in the first half term following recess and to review the criteria if necessary in light of demand for slots.

The Business Committee agreed a new Assembly Timetable for September 2011 / 2012, including:

o      the time available for meetings of political groups;

o      the dates and schedule for oral questions;

o      the following allocation of time between Government and Assembly business:

o      the following provisional recess dates:

• Easter - Mon 2 April 2012 – Sun 22 April 2012

• Whitsun - Mon 4 June 2012 – Sun 10 June 2012

• Summer - Mon 23 July 2012 – Sun 23 September 2012

The Business Committee agreed the allocation of Assembly time for the following types of debates:

o        opposition debates – to allocate the residual Assembly time for opposition debates on the basis of the rotation between groups (as agreed on 8 June 2011).

o        individual Member debates – as agreed under item 3(iv) above.

o        Short Debate –weekly on Wednesdays for 30 minutes.

The Business Committee agreed an approach to committee timetabling but agreed to seek the view of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee on their preference between a Monday or Thursday afternoon slot within this timetable.

The Business Committee noted a letter from the Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the deadline for the Finance Committee to report on the draft budget 2012 – 2013 but agreed a deadline of 8 November 2011. The Business Committee agreed to publish the timetable for the consideration of the budget, in accordance with Standing Order 20.4.

The Business Committee considered and approved a draft Report on changes to Standing Orders in light of the ‘yes’ vote in the March 2011 Assembly powers referendum. Business Managers agree to table a motion to amend the Standing Orders for the Assembly’s consideration on Wednesday 13 July 2011.

The Business Committee agreed to meet in public on 12 July (8.50 am – 9.30am) to discuss the remaining changes to Standing Orders as a result of the Referendum (s109 orders).