Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Apologies were received from Darren Millar, Russell George attended in his place. Apologies were also received from Jane Dodds and the Deputy Presiding Officer.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication

Tuesday

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following change:

• Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill - Withdrawn

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

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.30pm.

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 change to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business:

Tuesday 12 December 2023

·         Statutory Instrument Consent Motion on the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2023 (15 mins)

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

Wednesday 17 January 2024 -

• Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal – Delyth Jewell (30 mins) 
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate (30 mins)

Lesley Griffiths declared an interest as the Member of the Senedd for Wrexham.

Business Committee noted a request from Llyr Gruffydd MS and Sam Rowlands MS for time to be allocated to a debate on NNDM8411 relating to the Wrexham County Borough Council Local Development Plan. Business Committee also noted correspondence received from the Minister for Climate Change. The Llywydd indicated that she had requested advice on the implications of current legal proceedings and that this advice would need to be considered prior to any decision regarding the scheduling of a debate. Business Committee agreed to return to the matter once further advice had been received.

Business Committee considered the proposed motions for debate and agreed to schedule the following proposal on 13 December 2023:

Jack Sargeant

NNDM8419

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on the further regulation of debt collectors in Wales.

2. Notes the purpose of the Bill would be to:

a) place a duty on public service providers to only use debt collectors who sign up to a code of conduct that protects vulnerable people in a cost-of-living crisis;

b) introduce a Wales-wide code of conduct for all debt collection agents registered in Wales; and

c) further empower local trading standards authorities to take action against agents who mislead residents about their powers and residents rights.

And the following proposal for 17 January 2024:

Delyth Jewell

NNDM8370

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill on climate assurance for children and young people.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) amend the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 to ensure the school curriculum includes an understanding of the severity and urgency of the climate crisis and ecological emergency as a key concept across all areas of learning and experience;

b) ensure the curriculum reflects the urgency and necessity of tackling the climate crisis and protecting the ecological environment;

c) ensure that such teaching is not confined to traditional subjects that cover this area, but is embedded across all areas of learning and experience;

d) recognise the importance of subliminal learning and promote a sustainable environment in which learning can take place; and

e) begin to address climate anxiety amongst children and young people

Business Committee approved the request for the Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee for it to meet on 30 January and 6 February 2024.

Business Committee considered and confirmed the dates for Whitsun Half Term and Summer Recess 2024 and agreed provisional recess dates for Autumn Half Term and Christmas Recess 2024.

Business Committee agreed the arrangements for tabling plenary business, Written Questions and amendments to the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill, should the general principles be agreed, during the Christmas recess.  

Business Committee considered a paper on procedural preparedness for Senedd reform and agreed in principle to commence consideration of areas of procedural reform in autumn 2024.

Business Committee also agreed to explore the possibility of holding workshop sessions with interested Members in Spring 2024, in order to inform the development of this work.