Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

The Minister for Finance 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.

The Presiding Officer reminded the Minister that important announcements on Government policy should be made first in the Chamber .

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

·         Motion to amend Standing Order 26 in relation to Acts of the Assembly

Wednesday 15 October 2014

·         Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Public Accounts Committee Annual Report (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Short Debate - Aled Roberts (North Wales) (30 mins)

Business Managers confirmed their in principle decision of 16 September to refer the Planning (Wales) Bill to the Environment and Sustainability Committee for Stage 1 consideration, and agreed the deadline for the Stage 1 Committee to report by as 30 January 2015 and the deadline for the completion of Stage 2 Committee proceedings as 27 March 2015.

Business Managers discussed spokespeople’s questions in light of their introduction last week, and agreed to keep the new format under review over the coming weeks.