Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

The Minister for Natural Resources would be making a statement on Flooding in Wales.

On Tuesday, Voting Time would be after the final item of business.

On Wednesday, Business Managers agreed that a vote would take place immediately following the debate on the first motion of the draft Wales Bill debate. Any voting on the other motions would be deferred to Voting Time which 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 re-schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 20 January 2016 –

·         Stage 3 Debate on the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill (120 mins) – moved to 3 February

• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) – moved from 27 January
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) – moved from 27 January

Wednesday 27 January 2016 –

• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Stage 4 Debate on the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill (15 mins) – moved to 10 February

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

Wednesday 27 January 2016 –

·         Debate on the Standards Committee’s report under Standing Order 22.9 (Report 01-16) (15 mins)

·         Debate on the Standards Committee’s report under Standing Order 22.9 (Report 02-16) (15 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

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

Wednesday 3 February 2016 –

·         Stage 3 Debate on the Nurse Staffing Levels (Wales) Bill (120 mins)

·         Debate on the Enterprise and Business Committee report on its inquiry into Rugby World Cup Transport Planning (60 mins)

Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Housing and Planning Bill.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the LCM by Thursday 18 February 2016 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 23 February 2016.

The Committee noted a letter from the Minister for Finance and Government Business regarding the Welsh Government’s approach to LCMs prior to dissolution. The Minister informed Business Managers that she had written to the Leader of the House of Commons to stress the limited time available for scrutiny and to advise that any Bills or amendments tabled after 2 February 2016 are unlikely to secure legislative consent.

Business Managers noted a paper provided by the Minister for Finance and Government Business outlining the LCMs expected before dissolution.

Business Managers considered a revised draft response to the CLA Committee regarding its recommendations in the report on making laws in Wales in so far as they relate to the Business Committee’s remit.

Business Managers agreed some further changes to the draft, and asked the Secretariat to circulate a final draft for agreement by email.

Business Managers noted a letter from Mick Antoniw to the Presiding Officer regarding his resignation as Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee. Business Managers agreed to invite the Labour Group to nominate a Member to fill the vacancy.