Minutes

Apologies were received from Paul Davies, and Andrew RT Davies substituted.

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

The Business Committee agreed to table a motion to suspend Standing Order 11.16 on Wednesday in order to allow the Standards Committee report under Standing Order 22.9 (Report 02-16) to be debated.

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

Business Managers noted that on Tuesday, voting on all other items of business will take place before Stage 3 proceedings begin. On Wednesday, Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

The Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Managers noted a letter from Mick Antoniw requesting a debate on the report produced by him, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and the WLGA representatives on the Committee of the Regions in response to a recommendation of the CLAC report - Wales’ role in the EU decision-making process.

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

Wednesday 3 February 2016 –

• Debate on the Standards Committee’s report under Standing Order 22.9 (Report 02-16) (15 mins) – moved to 27 January 2016

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 24 February 2016 –

• Questions to the Assembly Commission (30 mins)
• Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee's report on its inquiry into Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (60 mins)
• Debate on the report to the National Assembly for Wales on the activities of the Welsh representatives on the EU Committee of the Region (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

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

Business Managers agreed to refer the SLCM to the Environment & Sustainability Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the SLCM by Thursday 25 February 2016 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 1 March 2016.

The Committee considered a paper outlining detailed proposals to amend Standing Order 26 based on the recommendations in the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee’s report on Making Laws in Wales. The paper also set out proposed miscellaneous amendments to Standing Order 26 for the sake of clarity and consistency.

Business Managers agreed to consult with their groups and return to the paper at the meeting on 9 February 2016.

Legacy Report

The Presiding Officer reminded Business Managers to submit any comments on the draft Legacy Report to the Clerk by Thursday for the revised report to be considered at the meeting on 2 February.

Individual Member Debate

The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that the Table Office has not received any motions, or any enquiries, from Members as of yet indicating that they intend to table a motion for the Individual Member Debate scheduled for 10 February. Business Managers said they were aware of a motion that was being drawn up.