Minutes

Apologies were received from Lesley Griffiths. Jane Hutt is the new Minister for Government Business and will substitute for Lesley until the change to committee membership is formally made.

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

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

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

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Governement Business.

Business Managers agreed that questions to the Assembly Commission will be brought forward a week to 1 October. This is to provide a better balance of business in light of the new schedule of Ministerial OAQs, which has questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Counsel General on that day.

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

Wednesday 8 October 2014

·         Debate on the report of the Finance Committee's Best Practice Budget Processes (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Health and Social Care Committee's Report on orthodontic services in Wales

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Liberal Democrats (60 mins)

·         Short Debate (30 mins)

Business Committee agreed in principle to refer The Planning (Wales) Bill to the Environment and Sustainability Committee for Stage 1 consideration.

Business Managers agreed to defer a decision on the Bill’s timetable until next week, to allow for consultation with the Committee.

Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM to the Enterprise and Business Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the LCM by 16 October 2014 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 21 October 2014.

Business Committee considered and approved a draft Report on amending Standing Order 26 in relation to Acts of the Assembly.

Business Managers agreed to table a motion to amend the Standing Orders for the Assembly’s consideration on Wednesday 24 September 2014.

Business Managers discussed the arrangements for  Spokespeople’s questions, and the Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that Members will be expected to sit in between questions.