Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday 

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following change:

·       Stage 3 of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill (180 120 mins)

·       Voting Time will take place before Stage 3 proceedings.

·       Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.30pm

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that a 10 minute break will be taken between Voting Time and Stage 3 proceedings.

Wednesday

·       Voting Time will take place after the short debate.  

·       Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.40pm

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that no changes have been made to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business.

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

Wednesday 17 July 2024 –

• Motion under Standing Order 26.17(iii) in relation to the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill (5 mins) - as agreed below

Wednesday 18 September 2024 –

• Debate on Petition P-06-1455 Protect the junior departments of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from closure (30 mins) - as agreed below

Wednesday 25 September 2024 –

• Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report - Natural Resources Wales - Annual Scrutiny 2023-24 (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate (30 mins)

Business Committee noted the response from the Committee and agreed the proposed timetable for scrutiny of the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill.

The Business Committee considered a revised timetable presented by the Trefnydd and:

·       agreed the revised Stage 2 deadline of 4 October 2024;

·       noted that it has previously agreed in principle to table a motion to propose that Stage 2 proceedings are referred to a Committee of the Whole Senedd;

·       agreed to give effect to that decision by tabling a motion under SO26.17(iii) for debate on 17 July 2024, subject to the general principles being agreed on 16 July; and

·       agreed that Stage 2 proceedings will take place after Plenary on 1 October 2024.

·       subject to the above, agreed to allocate a meeting slot to the Committee of the Whole Senedd for the purpose of Stage 2 proceedings after Plenary on 1 October 2024.

Business Committee discussed the Draft Budget timetable for 2025-26 and, in accordance with Standing Order 20.4, agreed to write to the Finance Committee in order to consult with them on the proposed timetable.

Business Committee considered the request and agreed to schedule a debate on petition P-06-1455 Protect the junior departments of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from closure on 18 September 2024.

Business Committee considered the responses and suggestions received from committees, and agreed with the suggestion that responsibility for scrutiny of freeports and the circular economy be transferred from the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure (CCEI) Committee to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs (ETRA) Committee.

Business Committee also agreed to propose that the chairs of the CCEI, ETRA and Local Government and Housing (LGH) committees informally discuss ways in which they may be able to further coordinate ministerial scrutiny between their committees, and in particular during budget scrutiny.

Business Committee also agreed to propose that the chairs of the CCEI, ETRA and Local Government and Housing (LGH) committees informally discuss ways in which they may be able to further coordinate ministerial scrutiny between their committees, and in particular during budget scrutiny.

Business Committee confirmed the dates for the Spring Half Term and Easter Recess 2025, and agreed provisional recess dates for the Whitsun Half Term and Summer Recess 2025, as shown below:

* Provisional dates to be confirmed by Business Committee.

Business Committee confirmed the arrangements for tabling plenary business during the summer recess and also agreed the arrangements for the tabling of Written Questions.