Minutes

Apologies were received from the Deputy Presiding Officer.

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

Business Managers noted that all votes in relation to Local Government (Wales) Bill would take place during Stage 3 proceedings.

The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that she intended to suspend proceeding for a ten minute break before Stage 3 proceedings begin.

Business Managers noted that there would be no Voting Time on Tuesday. 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 21 October 2015 –

·         Debate on the Health and Social Care Committee's report on the inquiry into alcohol and substance misuse (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

Business Managers considered a letter from the Minister for Finance and Government Business regarding the timetable for the 2016-17 Budget.

The Minister reiterated the impact the late announcement of the UK Government’s Spending Review has had on confirming the 2016-17 Draft Budget but informed Business Managers of her intention to publish the Draft Budget on 8 December 2015 and the Final Budget on 1 March 2016.

The Minister also informed Business Managers that she had written to the Chair of the Finance Committee setting out the proposed timetable. Business Managers agreed that should the Chair confirm that she is happy with the proposed reporting deadline of 2 February, that they would be content for that to be the deadline and for the timetable to be confirmed and published before the next meeting.

Business Managers considered a paper setting out the proposed approach to the committee’s Legacy Report.

Business Managers approved the terms of reference and the proposed approach to consultation and noted the proposed timetable.

The Committee also requested that an additional dedicated meeting be held after the consultation closes at the end of November to consider the evidence gathered.

Business Managers considered a paper reviewing the current practice of Oral Assembly Questions, specifically the introduction of Topical Questions.

The Presiding Officer considered a request from Opposition Business Managers to publish all Urgent Question applications, but declined the request on the grounds that publishing a list would not address the problem of enabling Members to ask topical questions.

Business Managers requested an additional paper with further options on Topical Questions for Party Groups to consider and to return to the matter at a future meeting.