Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. No apologies were received.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Business Committee noted the following changes:

• Tributes to Hefin David MS
• Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language: Green paper seeking views on changes to the Welsh Tax Acts (45 mins)
• Legislative Consent Motion: The Mental Health Bill (15 mins) Postponed until 7 October

• Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.45pm.

The Llywydd informed Business Managers of some changes to seating allocations in the Siambr. The Llywydd also noted that she has agreed proxy votes for Luke Fletcher and Vikki Howells.

Wednesday

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.  
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.55pm.

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

Tuesday 23 September 2025

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Update on the Curriculum Roll Out (45 mins)

·         Legislative Consent Motion: The Bus Services (No. 2) Bill (15 mins)

Tuesday 30 September 2025

·         Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill (60 mins)

·         Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language: Priorities for Welsh Place Names (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The Future of the Crown Estate in Wales (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing: The NHS Wales App (45 mins)

The Trefnydd noted that she will confirm additional items that will be added to the agenda for Tuesday 23 September as soon as possible.

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

Wednesday 24 September 2025 –

• Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: Annual scrutiny: National Infrastructure Commission for Wales 2024 (30 mins)

Wednesday 8 October 2025 –

• Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: Natural Resources Wales: Annual scrutiny 2024-25 (60 mins)
• Debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee report: Housing support for vulnerable people (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Short Debate: Heledd Fychan MS (South Wales Central) (30 mins)

·       Letter from the Chair of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs regarding the Greyhound (Wales) Bill timetable - 21 August 2025

·       Response from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs regarding the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill timetable – 11 September 2025 

The Business Committee noted that it has agreed to refer the Bill to the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee for scrutiny of the general principles. It agreed to formally consult with that Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny and return to the matter at a future meeting.

The Business Committee noted correspondence between the Chair of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee and the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. The Trefnydd noted that the Bill has been published in draft, and a draft Explanatory Memorandum and other documentation has been shared with the Committee in advance of introduction.

The Llywydd raised the issue of a judicial review application and how that may impact upon scrutiny of the Bill. Business Committee agreed to consider further advice on this matter.

·       Letter from the Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee regarding the Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Bill timetable – 10 September 2025

The Business Committee noted that it has agreed to refer the Bill to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs (ETRA) Committee for scrutiny of the general principles. It considered the revised timetable for scrutiny being put forward by the Welsh Government as compared with the version considered prior to the summer recess. It noted also correspondence previously received from the Chair of the ETRA Committee regarding the difficulties posed by the original timetable.

The Llywydd and Business Managers expressed concern at the impact that losing two further weeks in the timetable for stage 1 would pose for committees and asked for further information on the reasons behind the delay. The Trefnydd responded that the development process for the Bill has taken longer than anticipated and that the Government will provide a draft version of the Bill to the responsible committee and relevant stakeholders four weeks prior to introduction, in line with the approach taken on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill. She agreed to take the concerns raised back to colleagues.

The Business Committee agreed to formally consult with the ETRA Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny and return to the matter at a future meeting.

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

• Refer the SLCM (No.3) on the Bus Services (No.2) Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a revised reporting deadline for all memoranda on this Bill of 22 September 2025;
• The Trefnydd noted that a further SLCM (No.4) will be laid later this week. Business Committee agreed to pre-emptively refer that SLCM to the same committees with the same reporting deadline as above, in light of the plenary debate scheduled for 23 September;
• Refer the SLCM (No.4) on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a revised reporting deadline for all memoranda on this Bill of 17 October 2025;
• Noting that the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill LCMs were due to be debated this afternoon, not set a reporting deadline for  the SLCM  (No.2) which had been laid during recess.
• Refer the SLCM (No.5) on the Mental Health Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a revised reporting deadline for all memoranda on this Bill of 3 October 2025.

Business Committee noted the letter from the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee about difficulties faced meeting reporting deadlines for LCMs.

The Business Committee agreed to a request for the Llywydd’s Committee to be able to meet on the morning of 6 November 2025.

The Business Committee agreed to a request for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to meet on the morning on 4 November 2025.

The Business Committee noted the arrangements for the visit.

Any other business: Committee vacancies

The Llywydd noted that there are vacancies on Senedd Commission, the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee and the Local Government and Housing Committee. The Conservative group requested that the Business Committee agree to propose that Joel James MS be elected as a member of the Local Government and Housing Committee.

The Llywydd noted that the Business Committee is required to offer Laura Anne Jones MS at least one place on a committee under Standing Order 17.10. The Conservative group agreed for Laura Anne Jones to be offered one of its places on the Children, Young People and Education Committee.

The Llywydd proposed that the Business Committee considers the other vacancies at a future meeting.