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 Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

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

Wednesday 16 March 2016 –

·         Debate on the Public Accounts Committee's report on its inquiry into the Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales (RIFW) (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee's report on its inquiry into the BBC Charter Review (60 mins)

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

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

Business Managers agreed to note the Memorandum and that the Government intended to arrange the SLCM debate for Tuesday 15 March. Business Managers agreed that due to the time restrictions, it should not be referred to an Assembly committee for scrutiny but that the Presiding Officer should write to the Enterprise and Business Committee (as the most relevant committee), copying in the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, drawing their attention to the Business Committee’s decision.

Business Managers noted a letter from the Minister for Finance and Government Business.

The Minister agreed to circulate a note regarding the policy content of the regulations.

Business Managers considered tabling arrangements before and during the dissolution period. The Committee agreed the following arrangements:

·         no documents can be accepted for laying if they are received after 6pm (close of business) on Tuesday 5 April; and

·         the last day for accepting Written Questions will be 4pm Friday 18 March.

Business Managers considered tabling arrangements immediately following the Assembly Election. The Committee agreed the following arrangements:

• the Table Office will open for accepting written questions, urgent business, motions, amendments to motions, statements of opinion, registration of interests and laid documents from Monday 9 May 2016;

• written questions will be published in the usual way with the deadline for answers shown as five working days after they have been tabled; and
  
  
• all written questions to the Welsh Government will be tabled for answer by the First Minister, who will determine who should answer them.

Business Managers agreed the proposed changes to Standing Orders set out in the paper as drafted, with the following exceptions:

• Report Stage - the proposed new Standing Orders 26.45, 26.45A, 26.45B and 26.46A, Paul Davies, Elin Jones and Aled Roberts were in favour of the proposed change, but the Minister opposed. The Minister also opposed any of the possible compromise solutions set out in the paper, and there was therefore no majority for any change.
  
  
• Scrutiny of compliance with Convention rights – the proposed new Standing Order 26.6(xii) (paras 11-14). Paul Davies, Elin Jones and Aled Roberts were in favour of the proposed change, but the Minister explained that the government wanted more time to consider its implications before agreeing to any change and wished the change to be considered by the new Business Committee early in the 5th Assembly. There was therefore no majority for change at this time.
   
• “Keeling Schedules” – the proposed new Standing Order 26.6C (paras 15-17). Paul Davies, Elin Jones and Aled Roberts were in favour of the proposed change as drafted but the Minister wished to see the requirement apply only where Bills “significantly”’ amended existing legislation. The other Business Managers agreed to this change as a compromise solution.

Business Managers agreed in principle to the proposed changes to Standing Orders 18 and 30A.