Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Feedback from last week’s plenary meeting

Business Managers agreed that the pace of the meeting was much improved, due to the new time limits for contributions on statements.

Business Managers agreed to increase the number of Plaid Cymru Members to 5 to give a better reflection of the relative size of groups. Otherwise, Business Managers agreed to follow the same format and procedures for this week’s meeting.

In response to a request from Sian Gwenllian, the Llywydd agreed to give consideration to whether to alternate who went first in calling Members to ask questions on statements. Darren Millar noted that he was opposed to any change.

Topical Questions

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she will make a decision on any topical questions submitted this week as soon as possible after the deadline at 6pm, and that Members and the government will be notified that evening.

Business Managers agreed to take Topical Questions after the First Minister’s statement. Any Ministers attending solely to answer topical questions will be additional to the usual Labour/government allocation.

Business Managers agreed to continue with the practice of there not being any questions on the BSA.

The Business Committee asked officials for a paper on options for developing Plenary business over the next few weeks.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the fact that two sets of regulations had been added to the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business:

Wednesday 20 May 2020

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (30 mins)

·         The Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (15 mins)

The Committee agreed to schedule Topical Questions every week for the foreseeable future.

Business Managers considered the motion and agreed that the Business Committee is the appropriate forum to evaluate the most effective ways of continuing scrutiny in the current situation. They also concluded that plenary time is best used for scrutiny on Covid-19 matters at the moment. They would therefore not schedule the motion for debate.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM on the Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Bill to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills and the Legislation, Justice; and Constitution Committees, and to agree a reporting deadline at a later date.

Business Managers agreed to refer the LCM on the Fire Safety Bill to the Equality, Local Government and Communities; and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committees with a reporting deadline of 18 June 2020.

Business Managers agreed to set a reporting deadline of Thursday 14 May for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020

Business Managers agreed to set a reporting deadline of Thursday 14 May for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

Business Managers considered and agreed the draft timetable.

Written Questions

Darren Millar raised the issue of continued delays in getting government responses to written questions, though there had been some improvement in the substance of the responses. 

Name Change

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that, given the circumstances, communication will be low key and that a written statement will be published on Wednesday morning.