Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Apologies were received from Jane Dodds MS and David Rees MS.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication. 

Tuesday 

Business Committee noted the following change:

• The financial resolution in respect of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill – withdrawn

• Voting Time will take place as the last item of business
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.15pm.

Wednesday

The Welsh Conservatives requested that Business Committee table a motion for Mark Isherwood MS to replace Samuel Kurtz MS as a member of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee. Business Committee noted the following change:

• Motion to elect a Member to a committee (5 mins)

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

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.05.

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following change to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business:

Tuesday 13 January 2026

• Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: NHS Winter Pressures (45 mins)

Tuesday 20 January 2026

• Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: NHS Waiting Times (45 mins)
• The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (5 mins)
• The Council Tax (Discounts, Disregards and Exemptions) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (15 mins)
• The Non-Domestic Rating (Provision of Information About Changes of Circumstances) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (10 mins)
• The Landfill Disposals Tax (Tax Rates) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 (5 mins)

Heledd Fychan commented that there was likely to be significant interest from Members in speaking on the debate on the petition concerning Home to School Transport on 14 January, and that the 30 minutes currently allocated may prove insufficient. Business Committee agreed to extend the scheduled time for the debate to 60 minutes.

Business Managers agreed the following changes to the Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business:

Wednesday 14 January 2026 –

• Debate on petition P-06-1555 To review all guidance on Home to School Transport for all of Wales. Free access to an education (30 60 mins)

Wednesday 28 January 2026 –

• Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate: Mike Hedges MS (Swansea East) (30 mins)

Business Managers were informed that the Table Office had now conducted the ballot for Short Debates from January 2026, and that the first debate on 14 January is allocated to Adam Price MS.

The Business Committee considered the options for allocating specific dates to the Member Accountability Bill Committee for Stage 2 proceedings and agreed to allocate Thursday 12 February and Friday 13 February, should it be required, for that purpose.

The Trefnydd noted the difficulties experienced by the Committee due to the Stage 1 deadline and indicated that the Government was willing to extend the deadline until 16 January, with a resulting change to the General Principles debate, should the Member Accountability Bill Committee find that helpful. The Llywydd stated that this would be communicated to the Committee, but indicated that it was unlikely to assist committees at this late stage given that they would be agreeing reports this week. The Business Committee agreed to proceed to allocate specific meeting slots on 12 and 13 February to the Member Accountability Bill Committee, and to consider the timetable for the Bill further should that Committee request that it do so.

The Business Committee also considered separate correspondence from the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee requesting approval to hold an additional meeting on Wednesday 17 December in order to consider its report on the Bill. The Business Committee agreed the request.

The Business Committee considered an update from the Trefnydd and agreed to refer SLCM (No.2) on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill to the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline for all Memoranda on this Bill of 27 February 2026.

The Trefnydd made Business Managers aware that Finance (No.2) Bill was introduced on 5 December 2025 and that an LCM is expected to be laid imminently. The Business Committee agreed to pre-emptively refer the LCM to the Finance Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 30 January 2026.

The Business Committee also noted an oral update from the Trefnydd that the Welsh Government would be considering potential amendments to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, and would bring forward any necessary supplementary LCM(s) as soon as possible.

The Business Committee noted proposed amendments to the relevant section of the Guidance on the proper conduct of Senedd business with the purpose of giving effect to changes to spokespeople questions agreed on 9 December. The Llywydd stated that the amended Guidance will be in place in advance of the first Plenary meeting in 2026.

The Business Committee noted the letter and advance notice provided by the Standards of Conduct Committee of recommendations for changes to Standing Orders that it intends to make in January. Business Managers agreed to consider further advice on the proposals early in the New Year.

Business Managers provided feedback from their groups on the high level timetable options for Parliamentary Business in the Seventh Senedd, and agreed to ask officials to prepare a refined three week timetable option for detailed consideration in the New Year.

Following a recent increase in instances of Members seeking to vote remotely in Plenary proceedings without having provided prior notification in accordance with the Guidance on Virtual and Hybrid Proceedings, the Llywydd indicated her intention to strictly enforce the Guidance from the start of 2026.

The Business Committee discussed concerns around some elements of the culture that has arisen in relation to Members attending Plenary in person but returning home to vote remotely. Business Managers also discussed the benefits which have arisen from the increasing flexibility provided to Members as a result of remote participation and voting, including in respect of inclusion and supporting Members with caring responsibilities, balanced with challenges around the practicality of retaining current provisions in light of the increase in the size of the Senedd from May 2026.

Business Mangers discussed several possible ways in which practice around remote voting could be adjusted, and agreed to consider the issues with their groups and to return to consider detailed options at a subsequent meeting.