Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed members to the meeting. The Llywydd provided apologies for items 6.1 and 6.2, which were chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday

Darren Millar and Heledd Fychan requested an oral statement from the First Minister on his visit to Tata Steel in India. The Trefnydd indicated that a written statement had been issued and agreed to add an oral statement on the matter to today’s Plenary agenda:

·         Statement by the First Minister: Tata Steel (60 mins)

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

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.00pm

Wednesday

Business Committee agreed to table motions to change Labour members on several committees for consideration in Plenary on Wednesday. Therefore, the following change to Wednesday’s agenda was agreed:  

·         Motions to elect Members to committees (5 mins)

·         Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.15pm

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

Tuesday 4 June 2024

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Culture and Social Justice - reaffirmation of our values (45 mins)

Heledd Fychan asked for clarity as to whether the statement above will focus on the Cabinet Secretary’s full portfolio. The Trefnydd confirmed that this would be the case.

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

Wednesday 12 June 2024 –

·         Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee report: Actions, not words: towards an Anti-Racist Wales by 2030 (60 mins)

• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate: Joel James MS (South Wales Central) (30 mins)

Business Committee considered the proposed motion for debate and agreed to schedule the proposal on 22 May: 

Sioned Williams

NNDM8580

To propose that the Senedd:  

1. Notes a proposal for a political education bill. 

2. Notes that the purpose of the bill would be to:  

a) ensure that all learners in schools and colleges in Wales receive specific education relating to Welsh politics and democracy; 

b) require all schools and colleges ensure learners understand the importance of civic engagement in the Welsh democratic process; and 

c) ensure that 16 and 17 year-olds feel more confident and knowledgeable about elections and the purpose and process of casting their vote. 

Business Committee considered a request made by Luke Fletcher to schedule a debate on No Named Day Motion 8578 concerning the future of Tata steelworks in Port Talbot.

Heledd Fychan expressed support for scheduling a debate on the motion.

A majority on Business Committee agreed that an oral statement by the First Minister on this subject should be added to today’s Plenary agenda instead of a debate being scheduled, as shown under item 3.1.

Business Committee considered an update from the Trefnydd and agreed to:

• refer the LCM on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill laid on 9 May to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 5 July 2024. In doing so, Business Committee noted the indication previously provided by the Health and Social Care Committee that it will be using all its available meeting slots on scrutiny of the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill and that the Committee would be grateful for the assistance of the Cabinet Secretary in finding time to take evidence on the LCM. In addition, Business Committee noted that the Health and Social Care Committee was able to raise any difficulties it was facing in meeting that deadline with Business Committee. 
• refer the LCM on the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill laid on 8 May to the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee and Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 5 July 2024.

Business Committee noted the Committee’s letter and its observations in relation to the importance of committees being afforded sufficient time for scrutiny of legislative consent memoranda.

Business Committee considered the letter and agreed to respond to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to indicate that it is expecting to consider further its work on the legislative consent process, including the matters raised, ahead of the summer recess.

Business Committee considered a letter from the Chair of the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee regarding its remit and agreed to write to other Senedd committees to invite them to provide their views on the current committee remits, in light of changes to ministerial portfolios.  

Business Committee considered a proposed change to Standing Order 18B and draft guidance associated with this and agreed for a draft report to be produced to propose the change to the Senedd.

Business Committee considered a paper containing options for allowing more time between legislative amendment tabling deadlines and proceedings on those amendments.

The Committee agreed to return to the matter at its next meeting for further discussion of the possibility of bringing forward the amendment tabling deadline to seven days in advance of proceedings on an interim basis, ahead of the broader review of the legislative scrutiny process scheduled in its procedural work programme.