Minutes

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

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 Managers considered options put forward by the Minister for Government Business for Stage 3 proceedings of the Public Health (Wales) Bill and the subsequent effect on other scheduled Government Business. The Committee agreed that Plenary would start at 1pm for the last two weeks of term (8 – 16 March) and that the changes would be reflected in the Business Statement and Announcement after half term.

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

Wednesday 2 March 2016 –

• Time allocated to the Welsh Liberal Democrats (60 mins) – postponed to 16 March 2016

Business Committee also agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 2 March 2016 –

• Debate on the Petition Committee's report on its review of Public Petitions (60 mins)

Wednesday 9 March 2016 –

o   Motion to approve revisions to the Members’ Code of Conduct (10 mins)

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

o   Debate on International Womens Day (60 mins)

o   Debate on the Environment and Sustainability Committee's report: A smarter energy future for Wales (60 mins)

Business Managers noted a letter from the Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee requesting a Plenary debate on the Committee’s report – ‘A smarter energy future of Wales’?

Business Managers noted a letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee following the publication of its report on the review of the Assembly’s public petitions arrangements and agreed that the Clerk should draw it to the attention of the next Business Committee. The Presiding Officer commented that she would be writing to the Chair of the Petitions Committee with her own observations. 

Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM) in relation to the Immigration 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 10 March 2016 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 15 March 2016.

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

Business Managers agreed to refer the SLCM to the Enterprise and Business Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the SLCM by Thursday 10 March 2016 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 15 March 2016.

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

Business Managers agreed to refer the SLCM to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee for scrutiny. The Business Committee also agreed that the Committee should report on the SLCM by Thursday 10 March 2016 to allow the Legislative Consent Motion to be debated in Plenary on Tuesday 15 March 2016.

Business Managers agreed to a request by the Environment and Sustainability Committee to extend the deadline for the consideration of the SLCM (no 2) on the Housing and Planning Bill by a week from 25 February to 3 March.

Business Managers noted a letter from the Minister for Health and Social Services formally withdrawing the LCM in relation to the Access to Medical Treatments (Innovation) Bill following the removal of the relevant clauses in the Bill requiring the LCM.

The Committee considered the revised legacy report following comments by Business Managers at the previous meeting and agreed in principle to the revised report with the exception of paragraphs 73 and 74. Business Managers agreed to consider the changes to paragraphs 73 and 74 with the Clerk via email.  

Business Managers considered a paper on proposed changes to the Assembly’s procedure for electing Committee Chairs. By means of weighted voting, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Conservatives and the Welsh Liberal Democrats agreed in principle to a new system of electing Committee Chairs, whereas the Minister for Government Business voted against any changes. There was therefore no majority in favour of a change of procedure.

Business Managers considered a paper with proposed changes to Standing Order 26. The Minister suggested drafting changes to some of the proposals in the paper and stated that she did not agree in principle to other proposals, in particular the ones regarding Report Stage. The Minister agreed to send a note to Business Managers outlining her suggested changes. Business Managers agreed to return to the matter at the meeting of 23 February.