Agenda and minutes

Venue: Conference Room 4B - Tŷ Hywel. View directions

Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

2.

Minutes of the previous meeting

Minutes:

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

3.

Organisation of Business

3.1

This Week's Business

Minutes:

Business Managers noted that there had been no questions tabled to the Counsel General, in his capacity as law officer, for today.

 

Business Managers noted the letter from the Chair of EAAL Committee explaining the reasons for not tabling a motion for the debate on the committee’s report on Common Policy Frameworks: Assembly scrutiny, scheduled for this Wednesday.  Business Managers expressed their disappointment that they had not been notified in time to schedule other business in place of the EAAL debate. They did not want to see this becoming a pattern for committees.

 

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers that during the debate on the Draft Budget 2020-21 the first speaker from each opposition group will have ten minutes, and speakers thereafter will have five minutes.

 

Tuesday

 

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

 

Wednesday

 

·         Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.

 

3.2

Three Week Timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

In response to queries from Business Managers, the Trefnydd agreed to provide a note setting out the respective responsibilities of the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his Brexit Minister responsibilities) and other Ministers post-EU exit, in particular the Minister for International Relations in respect of international trade and negotiations on the future relationship with the EU.

 

3.3

Three Week Timetable of Assembly Business

Minutes:

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

 

Wednesday 4 March 2020 –

·         Debate on the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee report: The Welsh Government's Draft International Strategy (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

3.4

Member Debates: Selection of Motion for Debate

Minutes:

Business Managers agreed to select the following motion for debate on 12 February:

 

NNDM7263 Rhun ap Iorwerth

 

Co-submitters:

 

Angela Burns 

Janet Finch-Saunders 

Llyr Gruffydd 

Sian Gwenllian 

Neil Hamilton 

Mike Hedges 

Vikki Howells 

Mark Isherwood 

Delyth Jewell 

Helen Mary Jones 

Dai Lloyd 

 

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Notes that more and more services are only available online.

 

2. Recognises that not everyone has access to the internet.

 

3. Recognises that not everyone is comfortable with using the internet.

 

4. Calls on Welsh Government to:

 

a) ensure there are offline alternatives to online public services, such as with the bus pass renewal system; and

 

b) discuss with banks, businesses and other organisations to make sure that customers are not isolated if only online services are offered.

 

Supported by:

 

Huw Irranca-Davies

Suzy Davies

4.

Committees

4.1

Scrutiny of the draft National Development Framework

Minutes:

Business Managers considered the letter from the CCERA Committee and noted that statutory requirements in relation to policy matters did not usually have corresponding Standing Order provisions.

 

The Trefnydd indicated that the Minister for Housing and Local Government is content to comply with all three of the committee’s recommendations, without the need for them to be set out in Standing Orders:

 

·         The Minister will lay the draft NDF a consultation report setting out the issues raised during the consultation and including a response to CCERA’s recommendations and conclusions; a schedule of changes the Minister intends to make following consideration of the consultation responses and committee recommendations, and an updated integrated sustainability appraisal.

·         The Minister will write to all committee chairs once the draft NDF is laid.

·         The Minister welcomes a plenary debate on the NDF and believes it accords with the approach envisaged by the Planning (Wales) Act 2015.  The debate will take place during the Assembly’s 60-day consideration period so the government can reflect on the Assembly’s decision and the recommendations of the committee(s) in a timely manner. 

 

The Trefnydd indicated she would confirm this response in writing to the Business Committee, so that it can respond to the CCERA committee in those terms.

 

The Committee agreed that this was an appropriate response that would enable the spirit of the CCERA recommendation to be applied.

4.2

Paper to note - Letter from the Chair of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee

Minutes:

Business Managers noted the letter.

4.3

Paper to note - letter from the Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee

Minutes:

Business Managers noted the letter and that the Llywydd would be writing to the Remuneration Board informing them of the CWLC committee’s intention.  Business Committee supported the principle of providing additional allowances for Members elected as temporary chairs for an extended period.

5.

Legislation

5.1

Paper to note - letter from the Chair of Finance Committee

Minutes:

Business Managers noted the letter.

Any Other Business

Assembly Business in north Wales

 

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that last week the Commission agreed in principle to commit resources to holding a week of Assembly business in north Wales before the summer. Commission and Government staff have already started looking at possibilities. There will be decisions for Business Committee to take in the near future on the organisation of business, including the timetabling of Plenary and committees – the intention is to condense a week’s business into three days from Monday to Wednesday - and a paper will follow in due course. 

 

Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

 

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (LJC) plan to take evidence from the Secretary of State for Wales on their Wales’ Changing Constitution inquiry on Monday 9 March, and wish to start their meeting earlier (at 11am).

 

Business Managers agreed for the LJC Committee to meet outside its timetabled slot on Monday 9 March, and noted that Dai Lloyd’s membership clash with CAER was for the Plaid Cymru group to resolve via substitutions.