Minutes

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

Tuesday

·         The Government added a statement to Tuesday’s Plenary agenda:

-     Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport: The Future of Cadw (30 mins)

·         All votes in relation to the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill would take place during Stage 3 proceedings.

·         The Minister for Government Business confirmed that voting on all other items of business would take place before Stage 3 proceedings began.

·         The Llywydd informed Business Managers that there would be a 15 minute break before Stage 3 proceedings began.

Wednesday

·         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 29 November 2017 –

·         Motion under Standing Order 17.2 to give instructions to the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister (60 mins)

Wednesday 6 December 2017 –

·         Debate on the Petitions Committee’s report on Disabled People’s Access to Transport (60 mins) - postponed

·         Debate on the ‘Port Talbot Community Against the Super Prison’ Petition (60 mins)

Wednesday 13 December 2017 –

·         Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee report : Branching out: a new ambition for woodland policies (60 mins)

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

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

·         Business Committee selected a motion for debate on 29 November:

NNDM6521

Mike Hedges (Swansea West)

Dawn Bowden (Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney)

Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

David Melding (South Wales Central)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises that cavity-wall insulation when correctly installed in suitable properties can be a cost-effective way of reducing fuel bills, thereby contributing to reductions in fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

2. Believes that there remains, however, a significant minority of installations in unsuitable properties that are not complying with standards of good workmanship, and for which seeking redress is often difficult and compensation often inadequate or not possible to obtain.

3. Urges the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) and others to provide proper redress and compensation for incorrect installation, and to strengthen consumer protection going forward.

·         Business Managers agreed to schedule the next Individual Members Debate on 13 December.

Business Managers agreed to allocate time for the Motion under Standing Order 17.2 to give instructions to the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister to be debated in Plenary next Wednesday, 29 November, in addition to the other business scheduled. 

Julie James abstained from the vote, as she had not yet discussed the matter with her group, but did not wish to prevent the debate being scheduled. However, she stated that she expected the government would look to table amendments to the motion to clarify some of the terms of reference.

Rhun ap Iorwerth stated his view that the Assembly should look at the appointment of an Independent Adjudicator for the Ministerial Code as part of its consideration of this issue.

Business Managers agreed to the request by the Petitions Committee to hold a debate on the ‘Port Talbot Community Against the Super Prison’ petition, which has reached 8,791 signatures.  The debate will be scheduled for 6 December instead of the debate on the Petitions Committee’s report on Disabled People’s Access to Transport, which will be re-scheduled early in the New Year. The Leader of the House indicated that the government would have more new information from the Ministry of Justice to share if the debate were held in the new year, but was content to go with the view of the majority.

Business Managers agreed to the request by the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee to be excused from Plenary meetings on 29 November 2017 and 6 December 2017, with the expectation that whips would make arrangements to facilitate this.

Following a request from EAAL Committee, Business Managers agreed to communicate to the EAAL and CLA committees their preference to extend the deadline to 13 December 2017, to provide flexibility for a debate earlier in the new year if required and to avoid the reports being overtaken by events.  The Government confirmed that they would look to table further LCMs on new substantive amendments as necessary.

Business Managers confirmed the following recess dates for Whitsun half term and summer recess 2018, and provisionally agreed the following dates for October half term and Christmas recess 2018.

* Provisional dates to be considered by Business Committee.

Business Managers agreed to defer this item to a future meeting.