Agenda and minutes

Venue: Zoom

Contact: Graeme Francis 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

The Llywydd welcomed the Members to the meeting. Darren Millar and Jane Dodds sent their apologies. Russell George attended on behalf of Darren Millar.

2.

Minutes of the previous meeting

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

3.

Organisation of Business

3.1

This week's business

Minutes:

Tuesday

 

·         There will be no Voting Time.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 5.10pm.

Wednesday 

 

·         Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.30pm. 

 

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following changes to Tuesday’s agenda:

 

·         Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Afghanistan (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Covid-19 (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Update on the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill (45 mins)

·         LCM on the Environment Bill (45 mins) - postponed until 28 September

 

Business Committee agreed that breaks would take place after the statement on Afghanistan on Tuesday, and after 90 second statements on Wednesday.

 

Business Managers noted that a maximum of 30 Members are now able to be physically present in the Siambr during proceedings, and that Members are encouraged to wear face coverings when entering and leaving the Siambr and strongly encouraged to take a Lateral Flow Test prior to attendance. Business Managers also discussed practicalities around the introduction of interventions in hybrid sessions and the reduction of breaks to one per session. The Llywydd agreed that this week should serve as a test run, and the Committee should return to these matters next week.

 

3.2

Three week timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following changes:

 

Tuesday 21 September 2021 -

 

·         Statement by the Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd: Future Farming Policy and the Sustainable Farming Scheme (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Future approach to optometry services (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: Codes of Welsh law: a programme to improve the accessibility of Welsh law (45 mins)

·         Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (30 mins)

o   The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2021

o   The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations 2021

o   The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2021

·         The Trade in Animals and Related Products (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (15 mins)

 

Tuesday 28 September 2021 -

 

·         Statement by the First Minister: Intergovernmental Relations (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: The Constitutional Commission (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Economy: The Shared Prosperity Fund and Levelling Up Fund (45 mins)

·         LCM on the Environment Bill (45 mins)

·         Debate: Using the UK Government Spending Review to address coal tip safety in Wales (60 mins)

 

3.3

Three week timetable of Senedd Business

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

 

Wednesday 6 October 2021 –

 

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

 

4.

Legislation

4.1

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.14) Regulations 2021

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee should report on the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2021by Monday20 September.

 

4.2

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.15) Regulations 2021

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee should report on the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 15) Regulations 2021by Monday20 September.

 

4.3

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 5) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.16) Regulations 2021

Minutes:

4.4

The Trade in Animals and Related Products (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2021

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee should report on the Trade in Animals and Related Products (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2021by Monday20 September.

 

4.5

Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Environment Bill

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed a new reporting deadline for the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee and Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee of 23 September 2021.

 

4.6

Update on current Legislative Consent Memorandums

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to:

·         refer the LCM on the Subsidy Control Bill to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 4 November 2021;

·         refer the LCM on the Building Safety Bill to the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 4 November 2021;

·         refer the LCM on the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Bill to the Equality and Social Justice Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 4 November 2021;

·         refer the LCM on the Health and Care Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 4 November 2021;

·         refer the supplementary LCM (No.2) on the Environment Bill to the to the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee with a reporting deadline of 23 September 2021;

·         refer the LCM on the Elections Bill to the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, with a reporting deadline of 4 November 2021; and

·         note the latest position on LCMs.

 

4.7

Letter from the Counsel General

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to refer the letter and paper to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to review and report on.

 

5.

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2022-23

5.1

Letter from the Chair of the Finance Committee

Minutes:

Business Committee noted the letter from Finance Committee and agreed to amend the proposed reporting deadline to 4 February 2022. The Committee also agreed the budget timetable as proposed by the government.

 

6.

Committees

6.1

Letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee

Minutes:

Business Committee noted the letter and agreed to a continuation of the previous arrangements in relation to petitions being debated in plenary.

 

7.

Establishment and Remit of Committees

7.1

Sixth Senedd Committees - Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to propose the following remit for the Scrutiny of the First Minister Committee:

To scrutinise the First Minister on any matter relevant to the exercise of the functions of the Welsh Government.

Business Managers agreed to discuss the membership of the committee further with their groups and to return to the matter at next week’s meeting.

 

8.

Senedd Business

8.1

Revised Guidance on the Proper Conduct of Senedd Business

Minutes:

Business Committee considered and agreed changes to the guidance for the selection of Members’ Legislative Proposals. 

 

Any Other Business

Official opening arrangements and guest list

 

Business Committee discussed the arrangements for the official opening and agreed to provide feedback following consultation with their groups.