Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from Bethan Jenkins AM, who was substituted by Lindsay Whittle AM.

P-04-576 Allow Children in Wales to Have a Family Holiday During Term Time

·         Bethany Walpole

·         Helen Weedon

P-04-606 Ensure schools exercise their statutory powers under regulation 7 of The Education (Pupil Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2010 without interference or bias

·         Jane Douglas

The witnesses answered questions from the Committee.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition for the first time and agreed to write to the Minister asking that he gives full consideration to the funding proposal and that he informs the Committee of the outcome.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition for the first time and agreed to ask the Minister to comment further on the petitioner’s letter.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition for the first time and agreed to write to:

• the Deputy Minister seeking her views on the comprehensive dossier provided by the petitioners; and
• the CBI/FSB asking whether they have been asked for their views on the ability of business to contribute additional funding to skills training provision.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition for the first time and agreed to write to the Minister asking:

·         asking him to ensure that the petitioner’s detailed comments are taken into account in the development of revised guidance; and

·         that he keeps the Committee and the petitioner informed on the development of final guidance.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition for the first time and agreed to await the petitioner’s views on the Minister’s response.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to close the petition in light of:

• the recommendation to do so by the Health and Social Services Committee;
• that there is no reason to believe consideration at Stage 2 will not proceed; and
• that the detailed consideration of amendments at Stage 2 and later stages does not lend itself to consideration of a petition on general principles (which have in any event been agreed).

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to await the petitioner’s views on the Minister’s response.

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to await the petitioner’s views on the Minister’s response.

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to seek the Minister’s response to the detailed and considered comments made by the petitioner. 

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to await the petitioner’s views on the Minister’s response.

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to await the petitioner’s views on the Minister’s response.

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to await the petitioner’s views on the Minister’s response.

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to:

·         close the petition as many of the petitioner’s comments relate to non-devolved matters; and

·         in doing so draw the petitioner’s further comments to the Minister’s attention. 

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to forward the petitioner’s comments to the Minister and close the petition. 

Members discussed their visit to the Coal Exchange two weeks previously and agreed to ask the Minister for her views on Mr Avent’s comments and whether there is any further progress to report.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to the Minister asking:

• for her views on the petitioner’s further comments and to ask her to keep the Committee informed of developments;
• to let the Committee have sight of the advice from officials on which she based her decision to continue the part-time closures while she decides the way forward; and
• why, in particular was the decision made to close junction 41, when there are other potential hotspots on the M4.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to ask the Minister if it would be possible to recheck the noise levels at the petitioner’s house to ensure that they have not increased since they were last checked.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to write to the Minister to seek her views on the petitioner’s further comments, specifically whether, if the evidence warrants it, consideration will be given to applying any changes retrospectively.

The Committee correspondence on the petition and agreed to await the petitioner’s views on the Minister’s response.

See agreed action under 4.16.

This Petition was considered together with the previous one. The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to:

·         ask the Deputy Minister to notify the Committee once she has reviewed the content of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee’s (FAWC) opinion; and

·         await the petitioners’ views on the Minister’s response.

The Committee considered correspondence on the petition and agreed to:

• close the petition in light of the legal advice received and the Minister’s previously stated views; and
• In doing so, draw the petition to the attention of the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

Item 5 and 6.

The motion was agreed.

P-04-576 Allow Children in Wales to Have a Family Holiday During Term Time

P-04-606 Ensure schools exercise their statutory powers under regulation 7 of The Education (Pupil Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2010 without interference or bias

The Committee considered the earlier evidence.

The Committee considered progress on the review of the petitions system.