Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the Committee

The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed for publication

Tuesday

 

• Voting time will take place as the last item of business.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.35pm.      

 

Wednesday 

 

The Llywydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following change to Wednesday’s business:

 

Short Debate – James Evans (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Withdrawn)

 

• Voting time will take place as the last item of business.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.50pm. 

 

Business Committee discussed the resumption of hybrid Plenary proceedings and the arrangements in relation to breaks and interventions. The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind their Members that they are strongly advised to wear masks in the Chamber other than when speaking, and to take Lateral Flow Tests before attending the Senedd estate.

 

The Llywydd also asked Business Managers to remind their Members to keep to time limits for contributions in Plenary.

 

 

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

 

Tuesday 8 February 2022 -

 

·         Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Innovation in Renewable Energy (45 mins) – will issue as a written statement

·         Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality (45 mins) – will issue as a written statement

·         Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Energy Price Cap (45 mins)

 

Tuesday 15 February 2022 -

 

·         The South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)

·         The Corporate Joint Committees (Transport Functions) (Consequential Modifications and Transitional Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)

·         The Plant Health etc. (Fees) (Amendment) (Wales) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)

·         The Non-Domestic Rating (Multiplier) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)

 

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

 

Wednesday 16 February 2022 –

 

• Debate on petition P-05-949 Save Cowbridge Intermediate School for Girls (30 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (120 60 mins)

 

Wednesday 2 March 2022 –

 

• Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: Alun Davies (Blaenau Gwent) – The impact of storm overflows (30 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

 

 

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following motions for debate:

 

On Wednesday 9 February 2022:

NNDM7831 Mabon ap Gwynfor

To propose that Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on rent controls.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) help combat some of the more severe effects of Wales’s housing

emergency, affecting over a million people across the nation;

b) mitigate significant future rent increases, such as those seen in the

rented sector over the last 12 months;

c) introduce a system which restricts rents and rent increases to

affordable levels and local factors, closing the gap between wage

growth and the cost of living.

 

On Wednesday 2 March 2022:

NNDM7833 Alun Davies

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill to reduce the adverse impact of storm

overflows.

2. Notes that the purpose of the Bill would be to:

a) place a duty on a sewerage undertaker whose area is wholly or

mainly in Wales to secure a progressive reduction in the adverse

impact of discharges from the undertaker's storm overflows;

b) to reduce adverse impacts of sewerage discharges on both

the environment and on public health;

c) make the duty on a sewerage undertaker enforceable by the Welsh

Ministers or by the authority with the consent of, or in accordance

with a general authorisation given by, the Welsh Ministers.

 

On Wednesday 16 March 2022:

NNDM7896 Janet Finch-Saunders

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on marine planning in Wales.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) make provisions for policies that would help guide the siting of

developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas,

minimise the cumulative impacts on vulnerable habitats and species,

and provide greater certainty to developers;

b) create a duty for the Welsh Government to facilitate the creation of

a National Marine Development Plan, and review it at least once in

every Senedd;

c) establish strategic resource areas for marine energy;

d) publish a strategy for reversing seabirds decline;

e) require that offshore wind farms include, habitat restoration of the

seabed; strategy for sustainable seafood harvesting from within the

area of the windfarm and, environmental enhancement measures.

 

Business Committee agreed to refer the Supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 3) on the Health and Care Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of the morning of 15 February 2022.

 

Business Committee agreed to schedule a debate on petition P-05-949 Save Cowbridge Intermediate School for Girls on Wednesday 16 February 2022.

 

The Committee noted the letter

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 further, following Business Managers’ consultation with their groups.

The Conservative and Plaid Cymru groups were in favour of introducing mechanisms for scrutiny of Designated Members and the Leader of Plaid Cymru in Plenary. The Labour group and Liberal Democrat were not in favour.

There was therefore no majority in favour of proposing any changes to Standing Orders. However, Business Committee noted the existing mechanisms through which Designated Members and the Leader of Plaid Cymru can be scrutinised by Senedd committees.