Agenda and minutes

Venue: Tŷ Hywel

Contact: Graeme Francis 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

Minutes:

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting.

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

 

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to Tuesday’s agenda:

·       Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Education update on RAAC (30 mins)

·       Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Independent Review and Natural Resources Wales reports into flooding 2020-21 (30 45 mins)

·       Statement by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change: 20mph default speed limit on restricted roads (45 mins)

·       Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)

·       LCM on the Energy Bill (30 mins)

·       Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)

·       LCM on the Non-Domestic Ratings Bill (15 mins)

·       Motion to suspend Standing Orders (5 mins)

·       Debate on the General Principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill (60 mins)

 

Darren Millar and Heledd Fychan requested an update on RAAC in other types of building. The Trefnydd indicated that she would consider further written or oral statements.

 

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

·       Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.00pm.

 

Wednesday

 

The Llywydd informed Business Managers of a minor change to Wednesday’s agenda:

 

  • Debate on petition P-06-1337 Sycharth, the home of Owain Glyndŵr,
  • should be bought to safeguard the site for future generations (30 mins) re-ordered to item 6
  • Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee report: Unsustainable debt fuelled by the rising cost of living (60 mins) re-ordered to item 7

 

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

 

 

3.2

Three week timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to the Three-Week Timetable of Government Business.

 

Tuesday 19 September 2023

 

·       Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill (60 mins)

·       Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on Special Measures at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (45 mins)

·       Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the General Principles of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill (15 mins)

 

Tuesday 26 September 2023

 

·       Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Health and Social Care System Resilience (30 mins)

·       Statement by the Minister for Education and Welsh Language: Siarter Iaith (Welsh Language Charter): National Framework (30 mins)

·       Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living (30 mins)

 

Heledd Fychan requested an oral update on the Budget 2023-24 following the written statement issued by the First Minister on 9 August. The Trefnydd indicated that the government would provide a further update once work being done by the Cabinet had been completed.

 

3.3

Three week timetable of Senedd Business

Minutes:

The following changes were agreed to the Three-Week Timetable of Senedd Business:  

 

Wednesday 4 October 2023 – 

 

  • Debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee report – The right to adequate housing (60 mins) 
  • Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report - Annual Report on Natural Resources Wales - 2022-23 (60 mins) 
  • Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins) 
  • Short Debate: Mark Isherwood (North Wales) (30 mins)

 

4.

Legislation

4.1

Letter from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd regarding the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill

Minutes:

The following changes were agreed to the Three-Week Timetable of Senedd Business:  

 

Wednesday 4 October 2023 – 

 

  • Debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee report – The right to adequate housing (60 mins) 
  • Debate on the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report - Annual Report on Natural Resources Wales - 2022-23 (60 mins) 
  • Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins) 
  • Short Debate: Mark Isherwood (North Wales) (30 mins)

 

4.2

Update on LCMs

Minutes:

Business Committee received an update on current LCMs and agreed to:

 

  • note the supplementary LCM (Memorandum No. 2) on the Non-Domestic Ratings Bill, and agreed not to refer them to committees in light of the legislative consent debate being held today.
  • note supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 2), supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 3) and supplementary LCM (Memorandum No 4) on the Energy Bill, and agreed not to refer them to committees in light of the legislative consent debate being held today.
  • refer the supplementary LCM (Memorandum No. 4) on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 13 October 2023;
  • refer the LCM on the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill to the Public Accounts and Public administration Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 24 November 2023.

 

4.3

Letter from the Minister for Climate Change regarding the Energy Bill

Minutes:

Business Committee noted the letter.

 

5.

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2024-25

5.1

Letter from the Minister for Finance and Local Government regarding proposing changes to the Budget Business Protocol

Minutes:

Business Committee noted both letters and agreed to await the outcome of work by the Finance Committee.

 

5.2

Annex - Letter from the Minister for Finance and Local Government to the Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the proposed changes to the Budget Protocol

5.3

Letter from the Minister for Finance and Local Government to the Chair of the Finance Committee regarding the timetable for the 2024-25 budget

Minutes:

Business Committee noted the letter.

6.

Committees

6.1

Letter from the Chair of the Reform Bill Committee regarding the Senedd Reform Bill timetable and allocation of slots in the committee timetable

Minutes:

Business Committee considered the Reform Bill Committee’s proposals for amending the timetable for scrutiny of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill. Business Committee accepted the changes proposed to the Stage 1 and Stage 2 deadlines and subsequently agreed a revised timetable for the Bill.

 

Business Committee also agreed to allocate the Reform Bill Committee the permanent meeting slot it had requested, noting that it would be for the Committee to decide how the meeting time provided should be used.

 

6.2

Letter from the Co-Chairs of the Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee regarding meeting slots

Minutes:

Business Committee agreed to the Covid-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee meeting on the dates and times requested during the autumn 2023 term.

 

7.

Procedural Work

7.1

Procedures required for scrutiny of SIs flowing from the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023

Minutes:

Business Committee considered the paper and agreed to consult with the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on the proposed approach to amending Standing Orders 21, 27 and 30C, and removing Standing Order 30B, with a view to subsequently proposing changes to the Senedd. 

 

7.2

Topical Questions

Minutes:

Business Committee discussed feedback received from groups and a number of other matters concerning the current guidance and procedures for Topical Questions.

 

The Committee agreed that it would consider proposals for potential revisions to guidance at a future meeting.

 

7.3

Procedural Work Programme paper

Minutes:

Business Committee noted an update on the proposed scheduling of its procedural work.

 

Darren Millar proposed that consideration be given to establishing a time limit on ministerial responses to questions.