Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were areed for publication.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following change:

Tuesday

• The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2022 - withdrawn

• Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.50pm.

Wednesday 

Business Committee noted that the Labour group intends to change its member on the Health and Social Care Committee from Mike Hedges to Sarah Murphy. The Llywydd therefore drew Business Committee’s attention to the following addition to the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting:

• Motion to elect a Member to a committee (5 mins)

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.55pm. 

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following additions:

Tuesday 13 September 2022 –

·         Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill (60 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government: Visitor Levy Consultation (45 mins)

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 28 July 2022 –

• Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)
• Debate on petition P-06-1276: Extend section 25B of the Nurse Staffing Levels Act (Wales) 2016 (30 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

Business Committee noted the proposed timetable from the Trefnydd and the correspondence received from the Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, and agreed that a decision over whether the Bill should be referred to a responsible committee for consideration of its general principles should be taken once it has been introduced. Therefore, Business Committee agreed that it would return to further consideration of the Bill timetable at the beginning of the autumn term, taking into consideration whether any public consultation activity has been able to take place over the summer. 

The Committee noted the letter in its consideration of the timetable for the  Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) (Bill).

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

• refer the LCM on the Schools Bill to the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 17 November.
• refer the SLCM on the UK Infrastructure Bank Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, the Finance Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 17 November.
• refer the SLCM on the Procurement Bill to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 10 November.

The Trefnydd also provided an oral update on the wider LCM programme.

Business Committee considered the response from the Chair of the Finance Committee on the government’s draft budget timetable 2023-24. Due to the uncertainty surrounding an anticipated UK Government fiscal event in the autumn, Business Committee agreed the Welsh Government’s proposed timetable, including a committee reporting deadline of Monday 6 February 2023. In doing so, Business Committee noted the indications given by the Government that it may be possible for the timetable to be adjusted once the UK Government’s intentions are clearer. 

Business Committee agreed the Petitions Committee’s request for a debate to be held on petition P-06-1276: Extend section 25B of the Nurse Staffing Levels Act (Wales) 2016 and to schedule this on Wednesday 28 September. 

Business Committee discussed draft guidance produced following its Review of Standing Order 34 and remote participation in Senedd proceedings, and agreed several changes relating to the locations from which Members are able to vote and to arrangements for Members’ and Ministers’ participation in committee meetings.

Business Committee noted that the guidance will also be subject to consultation with the Chairs’ Forum prior to it being issued by the Llywydd during the autumn. Further information on technical matters relating to participation and voting in Plenary will be provided at the start of the autumn term.