Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

In the absence of Andrew RT Davies and Kirsty Williams on Tuesday, Paul Davies and Aled Roberts will stand in for Leaders’ Questions.

The Presiding Officer will be making a statement on Youth Engagement at the start of the meeting. Party Leaders will also be called to speak.

The Minister for Local Government and Government Business updated the Committee on changes to Government Business.

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 Minister for Local Government and Government Business provided a revised schedule for oral questions.

Business Managers noted that the Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries has met with party spokespeople with regard to the Animal Welfare Regulations, and has indicated that she needs more time to consider the regulations.

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 1 October 2014

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (120 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Short Debate (30 mins)

The Business Committee noted the paper providing an update on the progression of all Bills, both those in draft and those not, announced in the Queen’s Speech, for the fourth Parliamentary session.

The Minister for Local Government and Government Business informed the Committee that the Government will be reviewing when LCMs are required in future, in light of last week’s Supreme Court judgement on the Agricultural Sector (Wales) Bill.

Following consultation with groups, Business Committee returned to consider proposals to amend Standing Order 26 in relation to Revised Explanatory Memoranda, and the time between final amending stages and Stage 4.

Business Managers agreed the proposals for amending Standing Order 26 and the Business Committee secretariat will prepare a draft report for the Committee’s agreement at a future meeting.

At the meeting of 1 July 2014, Business Managers considered proposals for reforming Oral Assembly Questions. There was unanimous support for the proposal on Spokespeople’s Questions.

Business Managers noted that Spokespeople’s Questions will be introduced from the start of the autumn term 2014, and that Spokespeople’s Questions will replace the current practice of allowing spokespersons two supplementaries on a tabled question of their choice.

Business Managers agreed when a spokesperson wishes to ask questions that fall under the responsibility of a Deputy Minister, the Government will be informed that morning.