Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed the Members to the meeting. David Rees and Jane Dodds sent their apologies.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday

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

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.10pm.

Wednesday 

·         Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.40pm. 

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to ensure that if Members will be present in the Chamber before and after the break, that they remain in the same seat.

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind Members of the requirements to declare relevant interests, where appropriate, before contributing to proceedings. Table Office will also issue a note to all Members.

The Llywydd also informed Business Committee that the result of the first Member Bill Ballot of the Sixth Senedd will be announced at the start of Plenary on Wednesday.

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

Tuesday 28 September 2021 -

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

Tuesday 5 October 2021 -

·         Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Response to the Public Accounts Committee Report ‘Delivering for Future Generations: The Story so Far’ (45 mins)

·         Debate: Devolution of New Tax Powers (60 mins)

Business Managers requested that the Trefnydd schedules an opportunity for Members to debate the introduction of COVID passes and asked how often the government intends to make COVID statements in the future. The Trefnydd advised that she would consult the Minister for Health and Social Services on these matters.

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 13 October 2021 –

·         Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following motion for debate on 29 September:

NNDM7773 Luke Fletcher

Rhun Ap Iorwerth

Paul Davies

Janet Finch-Saunders

Jenny Rathbone

Jack Sargeant

Delyth Jewell

Altaf Hussain

Jane Dodds

Rhys Ab Owen

Peredur Owen Griffiths

Mabon ap Gwynfor

Sioned A Williams

Gareth L Davies

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with and affected by dementia in Wales;

b) the importance of unpaid carers in ensuring that the social care system in Wales was able to operate during the pandemic.

2. Further notes the necessity of an accurate dementia diagnosis to allow for unpaid carers, the health and social care systems and other bodies and service providers to accurately plan person-centred services, as stated in the national dementia action plan.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) fund research into developing accurate diagnostic tools to ensure that people who receive a diagnosis of dementia can access the correct support immediately post diagnosis;

b) fund post diagnostic support for all types of dementia across Wales;

c) establish a national dementia data observatory to ensure accuracy in dementia data and to collect, analyse and disseminate data on dementia to all service providers wishing to access data to help plan and deliver dementia services across Wales.

Dementia Action Plan for Wales 2018-22

Business Committee agreed to schedule the debate on the petition.

Business Committee considered timetable requests from a number of committees and the impact of the Official Opening on Senedd business, noted the letters from the Health and Social Care and Culture, Communication, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committees, and agreed to the following actions:

·         Finance Committee – additional meetings on Friday 8 October AM, Monday 18 October AM, Friday 19 November AM and Wednesday 22 December AM;

·         Children, Young People, and Education Committee – additional meetings on Monday 18 October AM and either Monday 13 December AM or Friday 17 December AM and/or PM;

·         Llywydd’s committee – an additional meeting on Monday 11 October AM;

·         Equality and Social Justice Committee – an additional meeting on Wednesday 20 October AM;

·         Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee – an alternative meeting slot on Wednesday 20 October AM;

·         Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee – an alternative meeting slot on Monday 18 October PM or on Friday 22 October (AM and/or PM);

·         Standards Committee - flexibility to meet on Tuesday AM if required to consider a complaint; and

·         Petitions Committee - permanent move from a Monday AM slot to a Monday PM slot.

Business Committee agreed its response to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee to outline their approach to recommendations made by Public Accounts Committee of the Fifth Senedd.

Business Committee agreed that the membership of six would comprise chairs of committees, to be nominated by groups (3 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Plaid Cymru).  Business Managers would discuss proposals for substitute membership of the committee with their groups and to return to the matter at next week’s meeting.

Business Committee confirmed the dates of Autumn Half Term and Christmas Recess in 2021, as well as Spring Half Term and Easter Recess in 2022, and agreed provisional recess dates for Whitsun Half Term and Summer Recess in 2022.

Official opening arrangements

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