Agenda and minutes

The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Oral Questions

Business Managers agreed that all supplementary questions will be limited to one minute. Leaders/Spokespeople will get three (Conservatives and Plaid Cymru) or two (Brexit Party) questions as previously, but each question will also be limited to one minute.

BSA

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers that Members’ contributions will be limited to one minute and the expectation is that the Minister will also keep her responses brief.

Break

The Trefnydd agreed to move the BSA to be after First Minister’s Questions, and Business Managers agreed that the break should then come after the questions to the Minister for the Environment and Rural Affairs, at approximately 13:00.

Order of debates

Caroline Jones asked that the Brexit Party debate be scheduled before the Conservative Party debate on Wednesday’s agenda: Business Managers agreed.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the revised three-week timetable of government business circulated this morning.

Wednesday 8 July 2020

·         Debate: Stage 3 on the Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill (60 mins)

Wednesday 15 July 2020

·         Statement by the First Minister: The Legislative Programme (60 mins)

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2020 (30 mins)

·         Debate: Stage 4 on the Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill (15 mins)

Darren Millar suggested that Ministerial statements could be reinstated for post-regulation change announcements. The Trefnydd agreed to take this suggestion back to Ministerial colleagues.

The Trefnydd asked if the deadline for tabling FMQs could be brought forward, as it currently falls at the end of the day on Friday (4pm). Business Managers agreed to bring forward the deadline for the shuffle from 15.30 to 10.00.

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 1 July 2020:

·         Questions to the Senedd Commission (30 mins)

Wednesday 15 July 2020:

·         Finance Committee debate - The Welsh Government’s Spending Priorities for the Draft Budget 2021-22, in light of Covid 19 (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

Business Managers agreed to consult with their groups on the membership of the Llywydd’s Committee and return to the matter at their meeting next week.

They also noted the proposed timetable for the establishment of the Llywydd’s Committee, as set out in Annex 2 of the paper.

Business Committee agreed to schedule a debate on the effects of COVID-19 on Wales’ economy, infrastructure and skills for Wednesday 1 July 2020.

The Business Committee agreed that the Senedd should be recalled twice in August under Standing Order 34.9 to consider the outcome of the three-weekly reviews of Coronavirus regulations.. The meetings will take place virtually. Business Managers agreed that the meetings will be held on Wednesdays 5 and 26 August.

Business Managers discussed the proposal of hybrid plenaries taking place on 8 and 15 July, and agreed in principle to the proposal. The Llywydd confirmed that she would attend the Siambr on Friday to test the technology and practical arrangements, and would report back to the Committee at next week’s meeting.

The Trefnydd asked for confirmation that the limit on the number of written questions in summer recess will remain the same as for previous recesses (five questions per Member per week). The Llywydd confirmed that this is the case. 

Reviewing Standing Orders

The Trefnydd asked that  the planned reviews of aspects of the Standing Orders for the sixth Senedd continue. Business Managers agreed that this work should progress in the autumn term.