Agenda and minutes

Venue: Zoom

Contact: Graeme Francis 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting.

2.

Minutes of the previous meeting

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

 

3.

Organisation of Business

3.1

This week's business

Minutes:

Tuesday

 

  • Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.
  • Plenary is unlikely to run past 8.15pm.

 

Darren Millar asked that the time for the Curriculum for Wales Relationships and Sexuality Education Code to be extended, given the number of Members potentially wishing to speak on it. The Llywydd stated that she will use her discretion to seek to ensure that all Members who wish to speak are able to.      

 

Wednesday 

 

  • Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
  • Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.45pm. 

 

Virtual plenary

 

The Llywydd stated that, following consultation with group leaders, she had determined that Plenary meetings will be held in a virtual format this week due to the current position in relation to Coronavirus, but that Members and their staff remain able to access Tŷ Hywel for business purposes, where there is a wellbeing need or if their circumstances are not conducive to working effectively at home.

 

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to inform Members that no breaks have therefore been scheduled during proceedings and that interventions in this week’s virtual plenary will remain the same as they have been in recent hybrid proceedings – Members should raise a physical hand to indicate when they wish to intervene.

 

Recall

 

The Llywydd indicated that any recall of the Senedd that is required over the Christmas recess would take place virtually.

 

3.2

Three week timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following changes:

 

Tuesday 11 January 2022 -

 

·         Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: A Healthier Wales (45 mins) – withdrawn

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 22) Regulations 2021 (30 mins)

 

3.3

Three week timetable of Senedd Business

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

 

Wednesday 26 January 2021 –

 

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

  • Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
  • Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

 

 

4.

Legislation

4.1

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 22) Regulations 2021

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee should report on the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 21) Regulations 2021by Monday10 January 2022.

 

4.2

Legislative Consent Memorandums on the Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Bill, the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, and the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to:

 

·         refer the LCM on the Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Bill to the Culture, Communication, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 10 March 2022;

·         refer the SLCM (No 2) on the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 17 February 2022; and

·         refer the SLCM (No 3) on the Skills and Post-16 Education Bill to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, the Children Young People and Education Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of the morning of 11 January 2022.

In addition, it was agreed that the LCM for the Nationality and Borders Bill, which had been considered at the previous meeting, could also be referred to the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

 

5.

Committees

5.1

Paper from the Chair of the Culture, Communication, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to give permission for Members of the Culture, Communication, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee to leave Plenary early on Wednesday 9 February 2022.

 

6.

Committee Timetable

6.1

Committee Timetable requests

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to allow the ESJ Committee to hold an additional meeting on the afternoon of 14 February 2022 in order to take evidence as part of its inquiry into fuel poverty and the warmer homes programme.

 

Business Committee also agreed to allow the PAPA Committee to hold an additional meeting on the morning of 17 February 2022 to consider the Welsh Government’s Annual Accounts for 2020-21, subject to the avoidance of a clash with the Chairs’ Forum meeting on the same day.

 

6.2

Review of the committee timetable and committee remits

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed the terms of reference and timetable for the review, subject to the views expressed by the Chairs’ Forum at its meeting on 16 December 2021.

 

7.

Senedd Business

7.1

The effect of the Co-operation Agreement on Senedd Business

Minutes:

Sian Gwenllian declared an interest as she has been appointed as a Designated Member.

 

Business Committee returned to the implications for Senedd Business arising from the Co-operation Agreement.

 

The Conservatives and Jane Dodds were of the view that the Chair should not be allocated to Plaid Cymru. Labour and Plaid Cymru were of the view that the Chair of the Finance Committee should continue to be allocated to Plaid Cymru. As there was no majority on the Business Committee in favour, no change would be proposed. For the record, the Llywydd stated her view that Plaid Cymru should not chair the Finance Committee.

 

Business Committee noted that the name, responsibilities and portfolios of Designated Members would be published.  The Committee discussed how to accommodate the role of Designated Members within existing Senedd business arrangements including: questions, statements, debates; the allocation of non-government time; Senedd committees; and the scope for scrutiny of Designated Members. The Llywydd stated her intention to issue a further statement on Wednesday outlining her decisions on matters within her discretion.

 

Business Committee would consider options for scrutiny of the Leader of Plaid Cymru and Designated Members on matters relating to the Co-operation Agreement at a future meeting.

 

Business Committee agreed to keep the operation of the Agreement and any changes taken forward under review and to return to them in due course.