Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Russell George attended as a substitute on behalf of Darren Millar. Apologies were received by Jane Dodds.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday

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

Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Water Quality (30 mins) Postponed until 12 December

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

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 5.40pm.

Russell George requested an oral statement from the Government today on the flooding seen in parts of Wales over the weekend. The Trefnydd indicated that she would give the matter consideration. 

Wednesday

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.10pm.

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

Tuesday 14 November 2023

·         Statement by the Minister for Finance and Local Government: Delivering a Fairer Council Tax (30 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Wales Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Needs for Net Zero (30 mins)

·         The Building Safety (Description of Higher-Risk Building) (Design and Construction Phase) (Wales) Regulations 2023 (15 mins)

·         The Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order 2023 (15 mins)

·         Motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill (5 mins)

The Trefnydd updated Business Committee on attempts to mitigate the proposed late finish to Plenary on 21 November. The Trefnydd indicated that further changes may be forthcoming and that she will provide a further update at the next meeting.

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

Wednesday 22 November 2023 -

• Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) – Mark Isherwood (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate: Samuel Kurtz (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) (30 mins)

Business Committee agreed to refer the Bill to the Local Government and Housing Committee for consideration of the general principles. Business Committee also agreed to defer a decision on the timetable for the Bill, in order to consult the Local Government and Housing Committee and to return to the matter at a future meeting.   

The ‘Gender Quotas’ Bill

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that, subject to the Llywydd’s determination, the Government plans to introduce the Gender Quotas (Wales) Bill on 4 December 2023.

Spokespeople and Leaders’ questions

Russell George enquired as to whether the Llywydd expects spokespeople and leaders to use their questions to ministers to pursue a broad theme. The Llywydd confirmed that the Guidance on the Proper Conduct of Senedd Business states that this is an expectation of spokespeople’s questions, but not leaders’ questions