Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Darren Millar sent his apologies. Russell George attended in his place.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following change:

Tuesday

• Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: Taking forward the recommendations of the Commission on Justice in Wales and the Law Commission report on Welsh tribunals - Postponed

• Voting time will take place as the last item of business.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.00pm.

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers that a fixed seating grid is now in operation in the Chamber and that Members should only use the seat allocated to them. Additionally, Business Managers were asked to remind their Members not to adjust the microphones and to ensure they stand directly in front of them, so that their contributions can be heard.

The Llywydd also indicated that the expectation on Members to wear face coverings in the Chamber, other than when speaking, will remain in place until at least the Easter recess.

Wednesday 

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.10pm. 

The Trefnydd drew Business Committee’s attention to the following changes:

Tuesday 29 March 2022 –

·         Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: annual progress update (45 30 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: A Healthier Wales (45 mins) - withdrawn

·         The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Alteration of Expiry Date) (Wales) Regulations 2022 (15 mins)

·         Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)

·         LCM on the Elections Bill (15 mins)

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that First Ministers Questions is likely to be held later than normal during the meeting on 29 March due to the First Minister’s availability.

The Trefnydd noted that the government intends to hold a debate on the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Alteration of Expiry Date) (Wales) Regulations 2022 regulations on 29 March. Business Committee agreed to refer the Regulations to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny with a reporting deadline of the morning of 29 March.

Tuesday 26 April 2022 -

• LCM on the British Sign Language Bill (15 mins)
• Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (60 mins):

o   Debate on the General Principles of the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Bill

o   Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) (Wales) Bill

Business Committee received an update from the Trefnydd on current Legislative Consent Motions (LCMs):

• An Supplementary LCM on the Elections Bill will be laid today.  It was agreed that a reporting deadline of the morning 29 March should be set.  The LCMs relating to this Bill would be debated later that day. 
• Business Committee agreed to revise the reporting deadline on the LCM on the British Sign Language Bill to 26 April due to an acceleration of the timetable for the Bill at Westminster.
• An SLCM (no 5) on the Building Safety Bill is due to be laid this week, with the debate scheduled for 29 March. Business Committee agreed to extend the reporting deadline for all LCMs on this Bill to 29 March to provide every opportunity for committee scrutiny.

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 5 May 2022 –

·         Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal (30 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (120 mins)

·         Short Debate (30 mins)

Business Committee agreed the request for committee members to leave Plenary early on 18 May to enable them to travel to North Wales for committee business.

Business Committee considered and agreed the draft report.

Business Committee agreed that remote participation and voting in Plenary meetings should continue following Easter recess and held an initial discussion about the longer-term position. The Committee agreed that the Secretariat should bring forward further detailed proposals early in the summer term for conducting a full review of Standing Order 34 (Emergency Procedures) and the future availability of remote and hybrid participation in Senedd business.

Business Managers also noted that a review of Standing Order 12.41A-H (Proxy Voting) is also required before the summer recess.