Agenda and minutes

Venue: Zoom

Contact: Graeme Francis 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the Committee. Jane Dodds sent her apologies.

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

 

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following changes to Tuesday’s business:

 

  • Motion to Suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)
  • Legislative Consent Motion on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (15 mins)
  • There will be no Voting Time.
  • Plenary is unlikely to run past 5.45pm.      

 

The Llywydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the amendment tabled to the Member Debate, and said that she would make a decision on selection tomorrow.

 

Wednesday 

 

  • Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
  • Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.00pm. 

 

Retrospective declarations of interest

 

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind Members that it is their responsibility to make any necessary declarations during their contributions.

 

Plenary format

 

A majority of Business Committee agreed that Plenary should return to hybrid meetings with a maximum of 30 Members at a time in the Chamber from 1 February if, as expected, the requirement to work from home has been lifted.

 

Business Committee agreed to return to discuss the arrangements which should apply, including a possible increase to 60 Members, after the half-term recess at a future meeting. The Trefnydd asked for sight of the Risk Assessment for plenary meetings.

 

3.2

Three week timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

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

 

Tuesday 1 February 2022 -

 

·         Debate: The Equality and Human Rights Commission Annual Impact Report (60 mins) Postponed until the summer term

 

Tuesday 8 February 2022 -

 

·         LCM on the Public Services Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill (15 mins)

 

 

3.3

Three week timetable of Senedd Business

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

 

Wednesday 16 February 2022 –

 

  • Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)
  • Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (120 mins)

 

Business Committee discussed business on Wednesday afternoons and asked officials to draft an options paper with a view to improving the diversity of debates.

 

4.

Legislation

4.1

The Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Regulations 2022

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee should report on the regulations by Monday 14 February 2022.

 

4.2

Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Building Safety Bill and Update on current LCMs

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to:

  • refer the supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 3) on the Building Safety Bill to the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 17 March 2022;
  • revise the reporting deadline for the Supplementary LCM on the Health and Care Bill to the morning of 15 February 2022;
  • revise the reporting deadline for the LCM on the Nationality and Borders Bill to the morning of 15 February 2022; and
  • note that the Welsh Government intends to consider the position in relation to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill further once there is greater clarity over the content of the Bill at Westminster.

 

5.

Senedd Business

5.1

Scrutiny of Designated Members

Minutes:

Sian Gwenllian declared an interest as a Designated Member.

 

Business Committee considered the potential options for facilitating scrutiny of the Leader of Plaid Cymru and Designated Members on the Co-operation Agreement and agreed that Business Managers should consult with their groups and return to discuss the issue further at next week’s meeting.