Agenda and minutes

Venue: Via 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

 

 

  •   Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Services: The New Learning Disability Action Plan (45 mins) – Withdrawn
  • Motion to suspend Standing Orders
  • Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (15 mins)
    • LCM on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – motion 1
    • LCM on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill – motion 2

 

Following correspondence received from the Trefnydd, the Llywydd indicated that she had given her agreement, in accordance with Standing Order 33.8, that the Motion to Suspend Standing Orders could be considered by the Senedd today in light of the timescales around the consideration of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill at the UK Parliament.

 

The Llywydd confirmed that she had accepted an Emergency Question to be asked at the start of Plenary on Ukraine.

 

The Llywydd also stated that a photographer would be briefly present in the Siambr at the start of Questions to the First Minister.

 

Wednesday 

 

  • Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
  • Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.40pm. 

 

Plenary format

 

 

The Llywydd confirmed that a fixed seating plan will be in operation for Plenary meetings from today, following the removal of restrictions on the number of Members able to attend the Siambr at any time.

 

3.2

Three week timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

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

 

Tuesday 8 March 2022 –

  • Statement by the Minister for Economy: Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales: A Plan for Employability and Skills (45 mins)
  • LCM on the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill (15 mins)

 

Tuesday 15 March 2022 –

·         Debate: The Second Supplementary Budget 2021-22 (30 mins)

·         Debate: Amendment to the 2021-22 Local Government Settlement (15 mins)

 

Darren Millar asked whether it is the Welsh Government’s intention to bring forward an oral statement on arrangements for early medical abortion at home, following the written statement issued on 24 February. The Trefnydd agreed to provide further information in the form of a note to Members of Business Committee.

 

3.3

Three week timetable of Senedd Business

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

 

Wednesday 23 March 2022 –

 

  • Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)
  • Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report: A new direction for Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers – Heavy Goods Vehicle Driver Shortage and Supply Chain Issues (60 mins)
  • Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) 
  • Short Debate – Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central) (30 mins)

 

3.4

Member Debates: Selection of Motions for Debate

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following motion for debate on 9 March 2022:

 

NNDM7925 Mike Hedges

To propose that the Senedd:

Supports the devolution of policing.

Co-Submitters

Alun Davies

Jane Dodds

Delyth Jewell

Rhys ab Owen

Supporters

Sarah Murphy

 

4.

Legislation

4.1

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2022

Minutes:

Business Committee noted that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee will report on these regulations ahead of today’s debate in Plenary.

 

4.2

Update on LCMs

Minutes:

Business Committee received an update on current LCMs and agreed:

 

  • To refer Supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 4) on the Building Safety Bill to the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of the morning of 22 March.
  • not to refer the Supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 5) on the Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to a committee for scrutiny in light of the Plenary debate proposed for this afternoon.
  • extend the reporting deadline for the Supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 2) on the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to 31 March 2022.
  • not to refer the Supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 2) on the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill, which is due to be laid this week, to a committee for scrutiny in light of the Plenary debate due to be held on 8 March 2022.

 

5.

Committee Timetable

5.1

Letter from the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed the request for the Health and Social Care Committee to hold an additional meeting on the morning of 28 March 2022.

 

6.

Any other business

Minutes:

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers to consult with their groups on the proposed revisions to the committee timetable with a view to Business Committee reaching decisions at next week’s meeting.