Agenda and minutes

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

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

This Week’s Business

Tuesday 

• Voting Time will take place before Stage 3 of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.50pm.

Business Committee noted that the Llywydd will call a break between Voting Time and the start of Stage 3 proceedings.

Wednesday

Business Committee noted the following change

• Short Debate: Tom Giffard MS (South Wales West) (30 mins) – cancelled

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

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.30.

Business Committee noted that Tom Giffard had requested to postpone his short debate but decided against re-scheduling it to a later date.

Heledd Fychan requested an update on the point she had raised at a previous meeting as to why the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care is no longer making an Oral Statement on the anniversary of deemed consent for organ donation. The Trefnydd indicated that she had discussed this matter with the Cabinet Secretary and that there would be an opportunity for Members to raise this issue in his Oral Questions this week. She stated that she would discuss further with the Cabinet Secretary.

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

Tuesday 9 December 2025

·         Debate: Stage 4 of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill (15 mins)

Business Managers agreed to schedule the following items on the Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business:

Wednesday 14 January 2026 –

• Debate on petition P-06-1555 To review all guidance on Home to School Transport for all of Wales. Free access to an education (30 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate (30 mins)

Business Committee considered the letter in conjunction with item 4.2.

Business Committee considered the correspondence from the Member Accountability Bill Committee and the issues raised in relation to scheduling committee meetings and concerns highlighted by stakeholders around the timetable for consultation on and scrutiny of the Bill.

Paul Davies supported the concern raised regarding the adequacy of the time available to the Committee, and others, for scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1.

Business Committee returned to discuss that matter of referring the Bill for Stage 2 scrutiny. Paul Davies and Heledd Fychan reiterated that it was their preference for Stage 2 to be conducted in a Committee of the Whole Senedd. The Trefnydd stated that it remained the Welsh Government’s view that for Stage 2 proceedings be referred to the Member Accountability Bill Committee, indicating that a lack of available time for a Committee of the Whole Senedd to meet in light of other legislative proceedings scheduled in February 2026.

The Llywydd proposed that Business Committee may wish to consider the option of making time available for Stage 2 proceedings to take place in a Committee of the Whole Senedd on a Wednesday afternoon by reducing the volume of Senedd Business scheduled in Plenary on that day.

The Trefnydd agreed to discuss the matter further with the Minister in Charge of the Bill. Business Managers agreed to return to the issue in order to take a decision at the next Business Committee meeting.

Business Committee considered an update from the Trefnydd and agreed to refer the LCM on the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 13 February 2026.

Heledd Fychan declared an interest on this item: she had participated in the meeting of the Petitions Committee when it agreed to request a debate on the petition.

The Business Committee considered the request and agreed to schedule a debate on petition P-06-1555 To review all guidance on Home to School Transport for all of Wales. Free access to an education for 14 January 2026.

The Business Committee considered the request and agreed for Members to be absent from Plenary business on 24 and 25 February 2026.