Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication

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

Tuesday

• Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Covid-19 – Withdrawn
• Motion to Suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)
• The Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)
• The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 9) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)

• Voting time will take place as the last item of business.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 8.05pm.

Wednesday 

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.10pm. 

The Committee discussed the position regarding the wearing of face-coverings. The Llywydd stated that the use of face-coverings will be encouraged within the Siambr.

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

Tuesday 3 May 2022 -

·         Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Update on Ukraine (30 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: School Attendance (30 mins)

·         Debate: Human Rights (60 mins)

Tuesday 10 May 2022 -

·         Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Covid-19 (30 mins)

·         The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) (Job-sharing and Assistants to the Executive) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)

Sian Gwenllian requested further information about The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (Consequential Amendments) (Job-sharing and Assistants to the Executive) Regulations 2022. The Trefnydd agreed to provide this following the meeting.

Business Committee agreed to remove the following item of business:

Wednesday 4 May 2022 –

• Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal (30 mins)

This was on the basis that no proposals had been received for Business Committee to select from by the recent deadline. Business Committee agreed that it would seek to avoid setting deadlines for submission of proposed motions from Members during recess periods in the future.

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 18 May 2022 –

·         Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: Report on the Welsh Government’s marine policies (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) 

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins) 

Business Committee received an oral update on current LCMs and agreed:

• to refer the LCM on the Online Safety Bill to the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 21 July 2022.
• to note that as no amendments were tabled for consideration in the House of Lords to the British Sign Language Bill, it will now move to Lords Third Reading on 27 April.
• to note that the SLCM on the Health and Care Bill was laid on 5 April and that a reporting deadline of this morning (26 April) had been set at the previous meeting.
• to note that consideration of the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill at Westminster stalled following Commons Committee stage in November. Consequently, the Bill was made subject to a carry-over motion on 25 April and will therefore return in the next Parliamentary session.

The Business Committee noted the letter and that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee has reported on the regulations ahead of the debate in Plenary on Tuesday 26 April

Business Committee noted the letter and that the concerns raised will be addressed as part of ongoing discussions about the LCM process between Senedd Commission officials and Welsh Government counterparts

Business Committee noted the letter and the recommendation of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee in relation to amending Standing Orders. Business Committee agreed to return to consider the recommendation further if and when the Bill is enacted.

Business Committee agreed the request for Members of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform to be excused from Plenary from 15.30 on 27 April.

The Parliamentary Partnership Assembly

The Llywydd informed Business Committee of her intended approach to appointing an interim Senedd delegation to the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly meeting on 12-13 May in Brussels and explained that, given the timings for this meeting only, she would be approaching the Chairs of two committees with relevant remits to represent the Senedd as observers: Huw Irranca-Davies, Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee; and Paul Davies, Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee. Once the delegation has been finalised, the Llywydd would inform the Business Committee.

The Llywydd stated that she will initiate a conversation later in the term with the Business Committee and the Chairs’ Forum about the composition of the Senedd’s delegations to the PPA and to the Interparliamentary Forum in the longer-term.

The Llywydd also updated the Committee on the current situation regarding the Senedd’s nominations for the UK delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe, which are yet to be ratified. The issue will be brought back for discussion should further consideration by Business Committee be required.