Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to Tuesday’s agenda:

• Statement by the Minister for Economy: The Steel Industry (30 mins)
• Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on Nation of Sanctuary (30 mins)

The Llywydd noted that the statement on The Steel Industry would likely generate significant interest from Members and that the indicative timing was unlikely to be sufficient. The Trefnydd indicated that she would consider extending the timing with the Minister for Economy.

·         Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.15pm.

Wednesday

The Trefnydd thanked Business Managers for agreeing to re-order this week’s opposition debates in order to facilitate the Minister for Finance and Local Government to respond to the Conservative debate.

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

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business.

Tuesday 26 September 2023 -

• Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Health and Social Care System Resilience (30 45 mins)
• Statement by the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism: Cadw: engaging communities with heritage (30 mins)

Tuesday 3 October 2023 -

• Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: The Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill (60 mins)
• Statement by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change: Update on the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (Wales) Bill (30 mins)
• Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Update on Taith – the International Learning Exchange Programme for Wales (30 mins)

Heledd Fychan requested again an oral update on potential changes to the Budget 2023-24. The Trefnydd confirmed that the Minister for Finance and Local Government would make an oral statement in the coming weeks.

The following changes were agreed to the Three-Week Timetable of Senedd Business:  

Wednesday 27 September –

• Motion to amend Standing Orders - The making of statutory instruments following EU withdrawal (5 minutes)

Wednesday 11 October 2023 –

• Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal (30 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate: John Griffiths (Newport East) (30 mins)

Business Committee considered the proposed motion for debate and agreed to schedule it on 27 September:  

Rhys ab Owen

NNDM8274  

This Senedd: 

Calls on the Welsh Government to formally request the UK Government to commence section 48(1) of the Wales Act 2017, which would align the boundary for legislative competence for water with the national border. 

Calls on the Welsh Government to formally request the powers for the licensing of a water supply or sewerage licensee thereby fully devolving water to Wales. 

Timetable for the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

Business Committee agreed to write to the Local Government and Housing Committee to explain that it was minded to refer the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill to the Committee for scrutiny of general principles, and to seek the views of the Local Government and Housing Committee on both that point and on the proposed timetable. Business Committee also agreed to copy the letter to the Reform Bill Committee to provide it with an opportunity to make any representations that it wishes to in relation to responsibility for scrutiny of the Bill.

Business Committee discussed a proposal from the Trefnydd to adjust the timetable for the 2024-25 Budget and agreed to consult the Finance Committee on the revised proposals and return to the matter at a future meeting.

Business Committee noted the letter and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee’s contentment with the proposed amendments to Standing Orders. 

Business Committee considered and agreed a draft report containing proposed changes to the Standing Orders relating to the making of statutory instruments following EU withdrawal. The Committee agreed that a motion for the Senedd to agree the proposed changes will be tabled for debate on Wednesday 27 September.