Agenda and minutes

View the meeting transcript.

1.1       The Chair welcomed Members and members of the public to the meeting.

1.2       Apologies were received from Ann Jones. Sandy Mewies substituted.

FIN(4)-03-14 (paper 1)

FIN(4)-03-14 (paper 2)

Research Service Brief

Jane Hutt, Minister for Finance

Lynne Hamilton - Director, Finance and Commercial, Welsh Government

Jo Salway - Deputy Director, Strategic Budgeting, Welsh Government

2.1 The Committee took evidence from the Minister for Finance on the Welsh Government Supplementary Budget 2013-14.

2.2 The Minister for Finance agreed to write to Committee outlining how she intends to proceed with regarding the concerns raised by the Auditor General for Wales in his letter to the Permanent Secretary on 13 November 2913, prepare and lay in the Table Office annual reports on the Invest to Save scheme, explain what early release is and clarify the savings she expects under this scheme, and  confirm the budget allocation for administration under the Discretionary Assistance Fund.

FIN(4)-03-14 (paper 3)

Research Service Brief

Jane Hutt, Minister for Finance

Gareth Morgan - Acting Deputy Director, Financial Reform, Welsh Government

3.1 The Committee took evidence from the Minister for Finance on the draft Wales Bill.

3.2 The Minister for Finance agreed to send the Command Paper to Committee, when published by the UK Government, for Committee to consider and comment on, including likely timelines for the implementation of the Bill.

4.1 The papers were noted.

Items 6, 7, 8 & 9

5.1 The motion was agreed.

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence received from the Minister for Finance on the Welsh Government Supplementary Budget 2013-14 and agreed to consider the Committee’s report outside of Committee due to timing issues.

7.1 The Committee considered the evidence received from the Minister for Finance on the draft Wales Bill and agreed that the Chair would write to the Secretary of State for Wales on points raised and also invite the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to Committee.

FIN(4)-03-14 (paper 4)

8.1 The Committee considered the letter from the Presiding Officer and the Chair agreed to reply based on the discussion.

FIN(4)-03-14 (paper 5)

9.1 The Committee noted the paper and agreed that if progress had been made, to have monthly updates and quarterly should the situation remain unchanged.