Agenda and minutes

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

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday 

Business Committee noted the following change:

• Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: “Our Bravery Brought Justice” - North Wales Safeguarding Board Child Practice Review (45 mins)

• Voting Time will take place as the last item of business

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.50pm.

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she will make a statement at the start of Plenary to welcome Lindsay Whittle MS following his election to the Senedd and will invite him to make some brief remarks.

Paul Davies asked why the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs is not making an oral statement on Bluetongue this week following the written statement issued last week. The Trefnydd agreed to discuss with the Cabinet Secretary.

Wednesday

The Llywydd informed Business Managers of the following change:

• Motion to elect a Member to a committee (5 mins)

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.  

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.15pm.

Business Committee noted that no topic was tabled by Joel James MS for the short debate and therefore there will be no short debate this week.

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

Tuesday 18 November 2025

• Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning: Outcome of the Internal Business Support Review (45 mins)
• The Land Transaction Tax (Modification of Special Tax Sites Relief) (Wales) (No.2) Regulations 2025 (5 mins)
• The Land Transaction Tax (Modification of Special Tax Sites Relief) (Wales) (No.3) Regulations 2025 (5 mins)

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

Wednesday 26 November 2025 –

• Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) - Adam Price (60 mins)
• Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report: Apprenticeship pathways (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·       Short Debate: Peter Fox MS (Monmouth) (30 mins)

Business Committee considered the response from the Member Accountability Bill Committee and agreed the proposed timetable for the Bill, with the Stage 1 reporting deadline adjusted to 23 December 2025 at the Committee’s request.

The Trefnydd requested that the Committee consider whether an in-confidence copy of its Stage 1 report could be provided to the Government in advance of the reporting deadline.

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

• note the position in relation to the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill and that there will be no opportunity for Senedd scrutiny of SLCM (No.5) on this Bill, but agree to draw the latest LCM to the attention of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee; and,
• refer SLCM (No.3) on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 2 December 2025

Business Committee noted the Committee’s letter and agreed to await the First Minister’s response before considering the matter further.

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that the Siambr seating plan has been revised following the result of the Caerphilly by-election.

Business Committee noted that opposition debate time will now be allocated on a 14:13 ratio to the Conservative and Plaid Cymru groups respectively.