Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Apologies were received from Jane Dodds.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

This Week’s Business

Tuesday 

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

·       Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.45pm.

Wednesday

The Llywydd informed Business Managers of the following change:

·       Questions to the Senedd Commission (30 0 mins)

·       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 25 March 2025

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: Update on digital inclusion – next phase (45 mins) – rescheduled to 1 April

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales: Travel for all (45 mins) rescheduled to 1 April

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government: Culture and Governance Reform in the Fire and Rescue Service (45 mins) – rescheduled from 1 April

·         Debate: Learner Travel (60 mins) rescheduled from 1 April

·         The Regulated Services (Inspection Ratings) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (15 mins)

·         The Food (Promotion and Presentation) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (15 mins)

·         The Partnership Arrangements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (5 mins)

·         Debate: The Crown Estate (60 mins) rescheduled from 1 April

The Trefnydd indicated that the debates on the Crown Estate and Learner Travel have been brought forward to 25 March to accommodate the Legislative Statement on the Bus Services (Wales) Bill and related statements, which have been postponed to 1 April.

The Trefnydd also indicated that Stage 3 proceedings on the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill, which had been due to take place on 1 April, are now scheduled for 6 May. This is to allow time for further discussion between the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language and Members on the approach to stage 3 amendments. 

The Llywydd highlighted that the new date immediately follows a bank holiday Monday, and is also understood to be the same day that Stage 3 proceedings on the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill are currently anticipated to be scheduled.

Business Committee discussed the impact on tabling deadlines for amendments and the practical difficulties that the proposed scheduling could cause to Members, group office staff and Commission staff. The Trefnydd agreed to consider the points raised and the options for scheduling the proceedings prior to the Business Committee returning to the matter at the following meeting.

The following items were agreed to be scheduled on the Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business:

Wednesday 2 April 2025 –

·         Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee: Debate on the gaps identified in the preparedness and response of the Welsh Government and other Welsh public bodies during the COVID-19 pandemic that should be subject to further examination (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Standards of Conduct Committee Report: Individual Member Accountability: Deliberate deception (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Short Debate: Lesley Griffiths MS (Wrexham) (30 mins)

Business Committee considered the motions and agreed to schedule the following motion on 19 March 2025: Carolyn Thomas: NNDM8839 Can renewables alone meet the energy needs of Wales? 

The Business Committee discussed the proposed timetable for scrutiny of the Bus Service (Wales) Bill and agreed to refer the Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee for consideration of the general principles.

The Business Committee agreed to consult with the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny and return to the matter at a future meeting.

Business Committee considered an update on Legislative Consent Memoranda and agreed to:

• note the position in relation to the Great British Energy Bill and not to set a reporting deadline for committees on SLCM (No.4) on the Great British Energy Bill, but note that committees remain able to report to the Senedd should they wish; and
• refer the SLCM on the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill for scrutiny, to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 2 May 2025 for all memoranda on the Bill.

Business Committee noted the letter.

·         Cover paper

·         Letter from the Chair of the Future Senedd Committee

·         Review of Standing Order Thresholds report

Business Committee noted the Future Senedd Committee’s report ‘Review of Standing Order Thresholds’ and its recommendations, and agreed to:

• consider advice during the summer term on the level of the threshold in Standing Orders for forming political groups (and related matters) ahead of the Seventh Senedd;
• consider advice during the summer term on potential changes to the nomination process for committee chairs alongside other potential changes to that process which could arise from the introduction of job-sharing for committee chairs, and to return to further work on job-sharing following this; and
• return to consider final proposals relating to the remaining recommendations at a later date.

Any Other Business

Business Committee meeting – 18 March

The Llywydd discussed the Committee’s meeting on 18 March. Business Managers agreed a proposal for the meeting to be held in person and to incorporate a visit to Siambr Hywel, ahead of Plenary meetings moving there following the Easter recess in order to enable expansion works to be undertaken on the Senedd Siambr.