Minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Gareth Bennett as the new Business Manager for the UKIP Group.

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

Tuesday

·         The Llywydd informed Business Managers about requests for both an Emergency Question and an Urgent Debate about the effect of the agreement between the UK Government and the DUP on the Barnett Formula.

·         Business Managers agreed that Voting Time would take place as the last item of business.

Wednesday

·         Business Managers 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 schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 19 July 2017 –

·         Debate on the report by the Public Accounts Committee on Natural Resources Wales: Scrutiny of Annual Report and Accounts 2015-16 (60 mins)

·         Motion under Standing Order 10.5, to extend the appointment of the Chair of the Wales Audit Office Board (5 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the United Kingdom Independence Party (60 mins)

·         Business Committee selected a motion for debate on 5 July:

NNDM6349 Bethan Jenkins (South Wales West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes a proposal for a bill to support young carers in Wales.

2. The purpose of this bill would be to:

a) Provide statutory guidance for schools and local authorities in Wales to provide appropriate support and flexibility for young carers to undertake their care responsibilities during and after school hours;

b) provide guidance for schools to work with young carers to provide flexible pathways to ensure continued participation in education;

c) allow young carers to collect prescriptions on behalf of those in their care, via a Young Carers Card or other mechanism; and

d) ensure that the Welsh Government work with appropriate organisations to introduce respite and support services for young carers in every local authority area in Wales.

·         Business Managers agreed to schedule the next debate on a Member’s legislative proposal in the autumn term, after they had reviewed the procedure.

Following a request from the Chair of the Finance Committee who intends to introduce a Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill as a committee Bill, Business Managers agreed to defer a decision in principle as to which committee it would refer for scrutiny so that it could be considered in the context of the Government’s legislative programme announced today.

Business Managers:

·         noted the new statutory requirements contained in Section 111A and 111B of GoWA and the need for Standing Order changes to reflect them (paras 8 – 14);

·         noted the supplementary legal advice note, at Annex B, regarding the implications for Reconsideration Stage and the approach taken in Scotland where identical provisions have been introduced by the Scotland Act 2016;

·         agreed to consult with their groups on these issues and return to them at a future meeting for decision.