Agenda and minutes

The minutes for the meeting were agreed by the Committee for publication.

The First Minister will be making a statement on EU transition, following FMQs.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport will be making a statement on the creation of a Specialist and Critical Care Centre.

The Minister for Lifelong Learning and the Welsh Language will be making a statement on the Ministerial Taskforce for the Valleys.

The Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure on Focus on Exports has been postponed until 22 November 2016.

The Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport on Winter Preparedness has been postponed until 15 November 2016.

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers that Wednesday would be the first instance of 90 Second Statements and that requests should be received by noon on Wednesday.

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 re-organise the following items of business:

Wednesday 9 November 2016 –

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) – swapped with Plaid Cymru Debate

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins) – swapped with Conservative Debate

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

Wednesday 9 November 2016 –

·         Statement by the Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee on the future of agricultural and rural policies in Wales (30 mins) 

Wednesday 23 November 2016 –

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

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

Business Committee selected the following motion for debate.

Wednesday 9 November

o   NNDM6122

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore)

Vikki Howells (Cynon Valley)

Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

David Melding (South Wales Central)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Welcomes the State of Nature Wales 2016 Report

2. Commends the work of the conservation and research organisations who have produced the report

3. Is concerned by the findings which state that:

(a) 56 per cent of species studied have declined across the UK over the last 50 years

(b) In Wales, one in 14 species is heading for extinction

(c) 57 per cent of wild plants, 60 per cent of butterflies and 40 per cent of birds are in decline

(d) More than one third of (known) marine vertebrate and plant life has diminished, with three quarters of marine invertebrates declining across the UK.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government and public bodies to ensure that reversing the decline in our biodiversity is at the heart of sustainable management policies.

Business Committee agreed that the next individual Member debate should be on Wednesday 23 November 2016.

Business Managers confirmed their in principle decision of 11 October to refer the Public Health (Wales) Bill to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee for Stage 1 consideration, and agreed the deadline for the Stage 1 Committee to report by as 10 February 2016 and the deadline for the completion of Stage 2 Committee proceedings as 7 April 2016.

Business Managers considered a paper setting out proposals for changing the current procedure for introducing Member Bills with possible subsequent changes to Standing Orders.

The Committee agreed to the proposed changes to Standing Orders subject to some amendments and for the Secretariat to bring forward a draft report for consideration at next week’s meeting.

The Committee considered a paper setting out options for debates on No Named Day motions by Members including proposals for legislation, and the possible format this would take using existing Standing Order provisions.

Business Managers agreed to return to the matter in two weeks’ time following consultation with party groups.

Business Managers agreed to offer Dafydd Elis-Thomas a place on the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee.

The Committee noted that discussions were ongoing as to whether to make any further changes to the membership and/or chairing of other committees in light of the new balance of party groups. The Llywydd asked Business Managers to inform her if and when they were ready to bring any proposals for change to the Committee.

The Committee discussed a paper on how Members who don’t belong to a political group are represented at the Business Committee so that the Business Committee reflects the balance of the Assembly as a whole. Business Managers looked at practice in other legislatures and considered options which would entail changing Standing Orders. 

Business Managers agreed to return to the matter in two weeks’ time following consultation with party groups.