Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that there will be a break before the first vote in the Stage 3 proceedings, and as previously there will be different PINs for Voting Time and for the Stage 3.

Tuesday 

·         Voting Time will take place before Stage 3 of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill.   

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.45pm

Wednesday 

·         Voting Time will take place before the Short Debates

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.40pm. 

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following changes:

Tuesday 9 March 2021

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 (15 mins)

Tuesday 16 March 2021

·           The Education Workforce Council (Interim Suspension Orders) (Additional Functions) (Wales) Order 2021 (15 mins)

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 17 March 2021 –

·         Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Report: Should broadcasting be devolved? (30 mins) – postponed to 24 March

Wednesday 24 March 2021 –

·         Debate on the Finance Committee report: Inquiry into the implementation of the Wales Act 2014 and operation of the Fiscal Framework (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Public Accounts Committee report: Delivering for future generations: the story so far (30 mins)

·         Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Report:  Exploring the devolution of broadcasting: how can Wales get the media it needs? (30 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (30 mins)

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following motion for debate on 10 March:

NNDM7552 Jenny Rathbone

Dai Lloyd

Jack Sargeant

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) that Wales has the highest rates of type 2 diabetes anywhere in western Europe, with over 200,000 diagnosed, an estimated 65,000 with undiagnosed type 2, and a further 500,000 at risk of contracting diabetes;

b) that caring for people with diabetes already consumes 10 per cent of the NHS budget;

c) the heightened risks of catching COVID-19 for citizens who have diabetes as a pre-existing condition; and

d) the success and cost effectiveness of the award-winning Nutrition Skills for Life programme piloted in the Afan Valley.

2. Urges the Welsh Government to mainstream the Nutrition Skills for Life programme throughout Wales as a central element of a Welsh diabetes prevention plan.

Supporters:

Helen Mary Jones

Darren Millar

Andrew RT Davies

Jayne Bryant

Business Committee decided not to schedule the motion for debate.

Business Committee agreed:

·         that a recall of the Senedd for matters not related to the Bill would only be in exceptional circumstances;

·         that all Senedd Committee business should cease during the pre-dissolution period;

·         the deadlines for laying documents, accepting Written Questions and other items of tabled business, other than relating to any recall of the Senedd;

·         that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee may meet during the pre-dissolution period only to consider regulations related to Coronavirus (if the subject of a recall of the Senedd) or postponement of the 2021 elections; and

·         that decisions about Senedd business during any additional weeks of the Fifth Senedd be made following any decision to postpone the election.

The Committee also noted:

·         the process to postpone the election;

·         the deadline of 6pm on Wednesday 28 April for any changes to the Register of Interests;

·         the Llywydd’s intention to close the petitions system during the pre-dissolution period (in addition to during dissolution);

·         the Llywydd’s intention to restrict the activities of Cross-Party Groups after 7 April, the deadline of 6pm on Wednesday 28 April for submitting documentation relating to the activities of Cross-Party Groups, and that all Cross-Party Groups will be automatically de-registered upon dissolution (midnight on 29 April).

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 8 March for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.  

Business Committee agreed to the committee meeting outside of its scheduled slot for the next three weeks, if necessary.

Business Managers agreed the draft report and to table a motion to revise Standing Orders for debate in Plenary on Wednesday 24 March.

Business Managers agreed the draft report and to table a motion to revise Standing Orders for debate in Plenary on Wednesday 24 March.

Business Managers agreed the draft report and to table a motion to revise Standing Orders for debate in Plenary on Wednesday 24 March.

Business Managers agreed the draft report and to table a motion to revise Standing Orders for debate in Plenary on Wednesday 24 March.

Business Committee considered the draft report and Business Managers agreed to consult with their groups before returning to the matter at the next meeting.