Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the postponement of the following items to 16 March:

·         Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following together but with separate votes:

o    The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (Amendment of 2050 Emissions Target) Regulations 2021 

o    The Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 

o    The Climate Change (Carbon Budgets) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 

o    The Climate Change (Net Welsh Emissions Account Credit Limit) (Wales) Regulations 2021  

Tuesday 

·         Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.   

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.45pm.

Wednesday 

·         Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.40pm. 

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

Tuesday 16 March 2021

·           Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following together but with separate votes: (45 mins)

o    The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (Amendment of 2050 Emissions Target) Regulations 2021 

o    The Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 

o    The Climate Change (Carbon Budgets) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 

o    The Climate Change (Net Welsh Emissions Account Credit Limit) (Wales) Regulations 2021 

Tuesday 23 March 2021

·           Statement by the Minister for Education: Mental Health and Wellbeing Support in Educational Settings (30 mins)

·           The Land Transaction Tax (Temporary Variation of Rates and Bands for Residential Property Transactions) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (15 mins)

·           Debate: Amendments to the 2020-2021 Local Government and Police Settlements (15 mins)

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 17 March 2021 –

·         Motion to appoint the Senedd Commissioner for Standards (5 mins)

Wednesday 24 March 2021 –

·         Motion to Approve the Code of Conduct for Members of the Senedd (5 mins)

The Business Committee agreed to refer the regulations to the Finance and Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committees, to report by Monday 22 March.

Business Committee agreed that the LJC Committee’s report should be drawn to the attention of incoming Senedd Members.  

The Committee also noted the implications for the scrutiny of subordinate legislation at the start of the Sixth Senedd, and in particular, of any delays to the establishment of the new responsible committee under Standing Order 21.

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.

The Trefnydd made a revised proposal for amending the Standing Order, which was supported by Sian Gwenllian. Mark Isherwood and Caroline Jones did not support the new proposal and continued to support retaining the existing Standing Order.

A revised draft of the report, including guidance, will be circulated by email, with a view to formal agreement at next week’s meeting.

Deadline for Written Questions pre-election

At the last meeting, Business Committee noted the need for Members and candidates to be treated on as equal a basis as possible during the pre-election period, and agreed that Written Questions should not be tabled during that period. A deadline for submitting Written Questions of 19 March was agreed.

Following representations, Mark Isherwood and Sian Gwenllian proposed an extension to the deadline for submitting Written Questions to 29 April. The Trefnydd explained that the Government would not answer questions during the pre-dissolution period, and that Members and candidates alike could write to Ministers to ask for information.

A majority on Business Committee agreed to retain the 19 March deadline.

Departing Members of the Senedd

The Trefnydd asked whether the Commission has any plans to capture the views and experiences of departing Members of the Senedd, following Alun Davies’ question during last week’s Business Statement. 

The Clerk of the Senedd said that she would be pleased to meet with departing Members to discuss their experiences.

Final plenary of the fifth Senedd

Business Committee agreed to replace the 90 second statement item on 24 March with short statements from departing Members. The Members who had indicated their intention to stand down at the 2021 election would be offered the opportunity to speak for 3 minutes each.