Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Apologies were received from the Deputy Presiding Officer.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday 

Business Committee noted the following changes:

• Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The Independent Water Commission - Next Steps (45 mins)
• Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip: Supporting Welsh Communities (45 mins) – withdrawn
• Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: Towards a more Transparent NHS (30 mins)

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

Wednesday

The Llywydd informed Business Managers of the following change:

·       Questions to the Senedd Commission (30 15 mins)

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate. 
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.45pm.

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that there were no changes to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business.

Heledd Fychan asked whether the Government intends to make a statement following the announcement by the UK Government of its Clean Energy Jobs Plan. The Trefnydd agreed to consider the request.

Jane Dodds asked for further information as to why the Statement by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing on the Gambling Levy – Treatment and Prevention Services, previously scheduled for 5 November, had been postponed until January. The Trefnydd agreed to provide further information following the meeting.

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

Wednesday 5 November 2025 –

• Motion to amend Standing Orders - Changes resulting from the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (5 mins)
• Motion to amend Standing Orders - Standing Order 17: voting in a Committee of the Whole Senedd and responsibility for meeting access (5 mins)

Wednesday 19 November 2025 –

• Motion to approve the Senedd Commission’s Budget for 2026-27 (30 mins)
• Open debate (120 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

Business Committee considered the motions and agreed to schedule the following motion to be debated on 5 November:

Rhys ab Owen
NNDM8985

To propose that Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Bill to ban the use of single use plastic on fresh produce for fruits and vegetables that have been proven to receive no or negligible benefit in elongating shelf life when packaged in plastic.

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

a) reduce the amount of unnecessary single use plastic across Welsh supply chains, protecting the environment and human health; and

b) reduce food waste and reduce the burden on household finances by allowing consumers to buy only what they need based on weight.

3. Notes that the Bill would apply only when purchasing fruit and vegetables in quantities below 1.5kg.

The Business Committee agree to consult with the Member Accountability Bill Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny of the Bill, and return to the matter at a future meeting.

Business Managers returned to a further discussion as to whether Stage 2 proceedings would be carried out by the Member Accountability Bill Committee or by a Committee of the Whole Senedd. The positions of individual Business Managers were unchanged from the previous discussion. On that basis, the Business Committee agreed to indicate in its letter to the Member Accountability Bill Committee, that the working assumption is for that Committee to also undertake Stage 2 proceedings but that the Business Committee is open to receiving that Committee’s views on this matter.

Jane Dodds asked about the ability of other interested Members who are not members of the Member Accountability Bill Committee to participate in proceedings of that Committee. The Llywydd noted that other Members are able to table amendments at Stage 2 and potentially to speak to those amendments during proceedings with the permission of the Chair.

Business Committee considered an update from the Trefnydd and agreed to pre-emptively refer SLCM (No. 5) 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 reporting deadline of the morning of 4 November.

Business Managers noted that it may not be possible for the committees to report in light of the limited time available prior to the legislative consent debate, and requested that the SLCM be laid at the earliest opportunity.

Business Committee noted the letter.

The Business Committee considered feedback received from the Chairs’ Forum on proposed changes to the Guidance on virtual and hybrid proceedings relating to in person attendance during Bill amending stages and achieving greater alignment between guidance on voting in plenary and committee proceedings. The Business Committee:

• noted its satisfaction with the proposed changes to the Guidance, including those requested by the Chairs’ Forum;
• agreed to schedule time in plenary on 5 November 2025 for consideration of proposed Standing Order changes it had previously agreed on 18 September 2025;
• noted that the updated guidance will be issued and published as soon as possible after the Standing Order change motion has been disposed of.