Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

Business Managers noted that voting on all items of business other than Stage 3 would take place before Stage 3 proceedings begin on Tuesday, and that all votes in relation to the Housing (Wales) Bill would take place during Stage 3 proceedings.

Business Committee also noted that there would be a 15 minute break before Stage 3 proceedings begin, and that the item had been scheduled for 3 hours.

On Wednesday, Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee determined the organisation of business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 9 July 2014

·         Short Debate - Nick Ramsay (Monmouth) (30 mins) - Postponed from 18 June 2014

Wednesday 17 September 2014

·         Debate on the Enterprise and Business Committee’s Report on its Inquiry into EU funding opportunities 2014-2020 (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Short Debate (30 mins)

Business Committee selected the following motion for debate:

Wednesday 9 July 2014

NNDM5536

Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd)

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central)

Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Bethan Jenkins (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Notes the overwhelming appetite amongst football supporters for the introduction of safe standing facilities;

Calls on the Welsh Government to work closely with sport associations and regulatory authorities to promote safe standing at sports stadia in Wales; and

Calls on the UK Government to consider the introduction of a pilot of safe standing in Wales.

Business Committee agreed that the next individual Member debate should be on Wednesday 15 October 2014.

Business Committee noted the Government’s intention to lay the draft budget 2015-16 on 30 September 2014 and to table the annual budget motion on 2 December 2014.

Business Managers agreed to consult the Finance Committee before deciding on the deadline for the Finance Committee to report to the Assembly on the draft budget.

Business Committee considered a paper from the Government regarding a revised Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill.

Business Managers agreed not to refer the revised LCM to a committee for scrutiny and noted that the revised Legislative Consent Motion will be debated in Plenary on 8 July 2014.

Business Committee considered a paper from the Government regarding a supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill.

Business Managers agreed to refer the supplementary LCM to the Health and Social Care Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the supplementary LCM by 25 September 2014 to allow the supplementary Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on 30 September 2014.

Business Managers confirmed their in principle decision of 24 June 2014 to refer the Financial Education and Inclusion (Wales) Bill to the Children, Young People and Education Committee for Stage 1 consideration, and agreed the deadline for the Stage 1 Committee to report as 14 November 2014 and the deadline for the completion of Stage 2 Committee proceedings as 29 January 2015.

Business Committee considered proposals to amend Standing Order 26 to put into effect recommendations agreed by Business Managers at their meeting of 20 May 2014.

Business Managers agreed to consult with their groups and return to the matter in two weeks’ time.

Business Committee agreed a request from the Environment and Sustainability Committee to hold a formal meeting at the Royal Welsh Show on 23 July 2014.

At the meeting of 17 June 2014, Business Managers considered proposals on reviewing Oral Assembly Questions and agreed to consult with their groups on the possible reforms outlined in the paper, and to return to the matter at today’s meeting.

The Conservative, Plaid Cymru and Liberal Democrat Business Managers supported the proposals for Topical Questions and Spokesersons Questions. The Minister for Local Government and Government Business supported the proposal on Spokespersons Questions.

The Presiding Officer will consider the options in light of Business Managers’ commments, and return to the matterat a future meetings.

The Minister for Local Government and Government Business informed the Committee that a further supplementary LCM (Memorandum No. 4) has been laid today on the Deregulation Bill and a paper would be brought to next week’s meeting.