Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Jane Dodds MS.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Members noted the letter from the Finance Committee.

Members discussed the issues outlined in the paper, agreed to consult their groups, and to provide feedback from their groups at a future meeting.

Members provided feedback following consultation with their groups on the issues discussed at the meeting on 16 October.

In relation to Standing Order 11.10 (relating to the time-bandwidth for business) the Committee agreed to recommend amending this Standing Order to delete all text after “arrangements”.

The Committee agreed to propose deleting Standing Order 12.6 (i) (relating to the requirement for plenary meetings to be usually held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and start at 1:30pm).

These proposed changes to Standing Orders were agreed to maximise the flexibility available to the Seventh Senedd when it comes to determining its parliamentary business.

The Committee agreed not to:

• amend Standing Order 12.56 (ii) (relating to the period within which time must be made available for each Welsh Minister and the Counsel General to answer oral questions in plenary); or
• change the number of oral question selected for answer.

The Llywydd asked clerks to provide her with advice on the practicalities of potentially removing spokespeople from the Oral Questions ballot; and introducing time limits on Ministerial responses to questions.

The Llywydd agreed to consult the Business Committee again, should she consider proposing any amendments to guidance following her consideration of advice from clerks.

The Committee noted the importance of ensuring that training on effective scrutiny is offered to Members at the start of the Seventh Senedd.