Agenda and minutes
Venue: Tŷ Hywel
Contact: Graeme Francis
No. | Item |
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Introductions, apologies and substitutions Minutes: The
Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Apologies
were received from Jane Dodds |
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Minutes of the previous meeting Minutes: The
Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication |
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Organisation of Business |
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This week's business Minutes: Tuesday ·
Voting Time will take place as the last item of
business. ·
Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.30pm Wednesday ·
There
will be no Voting Time. ·
Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.10pm Heledd Fychan requested a Government statement
this week on the situation in Hirwaun where a number of residents have been
advised to evacuate their properties due to RAAC being found. The Trefnydd
indicated that consideration would be given to providing a statement. The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she
will announce that the final Member Bill ballot of this Senedd will be held on
24 April at the start of Wednesday’s Plenary meeting. |
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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 March 2024 ·
Debate: Final report of the Independent Commission
on the Constitutional Future of Wales (60 mins) ·
Tuesday 16 April 2024 ·
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social
Services: The Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill (60 mins) ·
Motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage
3 amendments to the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill (5 mins) ·
The Infrastructure (Wales) Bill: Signification of
His Majesty’s consent (5 mins) ·
Debate: Stage 4 of the Infrastructure (Wales) Bill
(15 mins) Business Managers
discussed arrangements for acknowledging the First Minister’s resignation in
Plenary on 19 March and agreed that arrangements would be finalised following
further discussion between the Government and the Llywydd. |
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Three week timetable of Senedd Business Minutes: The following additions were agreed to the Three
Week Timetable of Senedd Business: Wednesday 24 April 2024 –
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Member Debates: Selection of Motion for Debate Minutes: Business Committee considered the proposed motions for debate and
agreed to schedule the following motion on 20 March: Heledd Fychan NNDM8505 To propose that
the Senedd: 1. Believes
that: a) the national
collections of Wales, which are under the care of the National Library of Wales
and Amgueddfa Cymru, belong to everyone in Wales; b) the
collections need to be protected for future generations, while also continuing
to be used to inspire and motivate people of all ages; and c) free access
to our national museums has been an undoubted success since the introduction of
the policy in 2001, and that this policy is one that should be protected. 2. Notes: a) warnings
from the institutions that revenue and capital fiscal cuts endanger the
national collections, due to unsuitable spaces and stores and also a reduction
in the number of specialist staff who are now employed to care for them; b) the concerns
that further cuts will worsen the situation; and c) Welsh
Government responsibilities under the Government of Wales Act 2006 for our
national collections. 3. Calls on the
Welsh Government to: a) commission a
panel of experts to establish what the danger is to the collections, and work
with the institutions and the Welsh Government to implement a plan to protect
them b) work with
the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru, and the unions that
represent the staff in these institutions, to ensure their viability for the
future; and c) work with
Amgueddfa Cymru to retain the free entry policy to our national museums. |
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Procedures for the Resignation and Nomination of a First Minister Minutes: Business Committee noted the paper and agreed guidance to be issued to
Members on the procedure for nominating a new First Minister. |
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Legislation |
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Letter from the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd regarding the timetable for the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill Minutes: Business
Committee considered further correspondence received from the Trefnydd
containing additional information on the Government’s reasons for proposing a
timetable which includes an expedited period for Stage 1 scrutiny, as well as
the views on the timetable previously expressed by the Reform Bill Committee. On the basis of a majority view, Business
Committee agreed the timetable proposed by the Government. Darren Millar stated his strong opposition to the
timetable, his view that scrutiny should not be curtailed on a Bill of this
nature, and that the Government should have introduced the Bill sooner if it
had concerns over the time available to implement the provisions in time for
the 2026 Senedd election. The Llywydd noted her objection to the
proposed timetable and stated that where, as in this case, there is a question
as to whether a Bill is within the legislative competence of the Senedd, Stage
1 scrutiny is the appropriate place for those matters to be aired. She noted
that she will to write to the relevant committees in order to share her views
on the timetable. The Deputy Presiding Officer, as Chair of
the Reform Bill Committee, questioned aspects of the Government’s justification
for an expedited timetable being necessary and also expressed the view that
where there is a question around competence that an expedited timetables should
not be agreed. |
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Timetable for the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill Minutes: The Business Committee agreed to refer the Health and Social Care
(Wales) Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee for consideration of the
Bill’s general principles. Business Committee agreed to consult with the
Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny and return to the matter at a
future meeting. |
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Update on LCMs Minutes: Business Committee agreed to refer the supplementary LCM on the
Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill to the Local Government and Housing
Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny,
with a reporting deadline of 17 May 2024 for this and other previous LCMs on this
Bill. |
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Committees |
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Letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee - request for a debate slot Minutes: Business Committee agreed to schedule a debate on petition P-06-1392. |
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Letter from the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee requesting an alternative meeting slot Minutes: Business Committee agreed the request for the Legislation, Justice and
Constitution Committee to meet on the morning of Tuesday 7 May due to the Bank
Holiday on 6 May. |
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Senedd Timetable |
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Recess Dates Minutes: Business
Committee confirmed the provisional dates for Autumn Half Term and Christmas
Recess 2024. Heledd
Fychan noted that the timing of the Christmas Recess could impact upon budget
scrutiny should the Welsh Government lay its draft budget late again, as in in
previous years. Business Committee noted the potential for adjustments to be
made at a later point if required in response to events surrounding this year’s
budget timetable. The
Committee also agreed provisional recess dates for Spring Half Term and Easter
Recess 2025. |
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Tabling Arrangements |
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Easter Recess Tabling Arrangements Minutes: Business Committee agreed the arrangements for tabling
plenary business, written questions and amendments to Bills during the Easter
recess and respective bank holidays. The Committee also noted that the
Ministers referred to as answering Oral Questions after Easter recess are
subject to change due to the appointment of a new Government. |
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Any other business Minutes: Stage 4 of the Senedd Cymru (Members and
Elections) Bill The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the Government’s
intention to schedule Stage 4 proceedings on the Bill on Wednesday 8 May. |