Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday

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

• Debate: Stage 3 of the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Bill (120 90 mins)

• There will be no Voting Time separate to Stage 3 proceedings of the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Bill.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.30pm.      

Wednesday 

• Voting time will take place as the last item of business.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.10pm. 

No changes were made to the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business. 

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 21 September 2022 –

• Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report: Review of the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (60 mins)
• Motion to approve the Official Languages Scheme for the Sixth Senedd and note the annual report on the Official Languages Scheme for 2021-22 (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

Business Committee considered correspondence concerning the timetable for publishing the draft and final budgets for 2023-24. The Committee agreed to write to the Finance Committee to consult it on the proposed timetable and return to the matter at its first meeting in September. 

Business Committee considered and agreed the report of the review of Standing Order 34 and remote participation in Senedd proceedings, subject to an amendment in relation to attendance at committee meetings which would be agreed outside of the meeting. The Committee would consider initial draft guidance on participation in virtual and hybrid proceedings at its next meeting.

Business Committee considered and agreed the report.

Business Committee noted the procedural work programme for the autumn term and beyond, including consideration of several recommendations made by the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform and a review of proxy voting arrangements. Business Committee noted that the window for the Committee to influence the policy instructions of a Bill on Senedd Reform is likely to be between September – December 2022 and agreed to consider a detailed paper setting out issues relating to the Committee recommendations at a subsequent meeting.

Business Committee agreed in principle to meet in public when considering procedural matters, with public consultation on relevant matters relating to Senedd Reform, where appropriate. 

Business Committee noted the procedural work programme for the autumn term and beyond, including consideration of several recommendations made by the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform and a review of proxy voting arrangements. Business Committee noted that the window for the Committee to influence the policy instructions of a Bill on Senedd Reform is likely to be between September – December 2022 and agreed to consider a detailed paper setting out issues relating to the Special Purpose Committee’s recommendations at a subsequent meeting.

Business Committee agreed in principle to meet in public when considering procedural matters, with public consultation on relevant matters relating to Senedd Reform, where appropriate. 

Business Committee noted the letter from the Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee regarding the LCMs on the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill and the Trade (Australia and New Zealand) Bill.