Agenda and minutes

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

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication. 

Business Committee noted the following changes:

Tuesday 

• Legislative Consent Motion: The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (30 0 mins) – postponed until 3 March
• Voting Time will take place as the last item of business
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.20pm.

Wednesday

• Short Debate: Julie Morgan MS (Cardiff North) (30 0 mins) - postponed to 11 February

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.  

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6:00pm.

Stage 3 proceedings of the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill have been scheduled for three hours. There are 94 amendments in 13 groups. Business Committee noted that a 10 minute break will take place prior to the start of Stage 3.

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

Tuesday 10 February 2026

• The financial resolution in respect of the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill (15 mins)

Tuesday 24 February 2026

• The Building Safety Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (15 mins)
• The Regulated Adoption Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) and Adoption Support Services (Local Authorities) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (10 mins)
• The Higher Education (Fee Limits) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (10 mins)
• Legislative Consent Motion: The Pension Schemes Bill (15 mins)

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

Wednesday 11 February 2026 –

• Motion under Standing order 26C.40 in respect of the Planning (Wales) Bill and the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill (15 mins)
• Short Debate: Julie Morgan (Cardiff North) (30 mins) – postponed from 4 February

Wednesday 4 March 2026 –

• Nomination under Standing Order 10.5 for the appointment of the Auditor General for Wales (5 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Short Debate: Rhianon Passmore MS (Islwyn) (30 mins)
• Stage 3 of the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill (120 mins)

Request from Adam Price MS for a debate on a motion under Standing Order 26C.40 -

The Business Committee considered correspondence received from Adam Price MS requesting time for a debate on a motion he has tabled under Standing Order 26C.40 proposing that the Senedd considers amendments to the Planning (Wales) Bill and the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill at Detailed Senedd Consideration. The Business Committee agreed to schedule time in Plenary on Wednesday 11 February for the motion to be debated.

Business Committee considered the motions and agreed to schedule the following motion to be debated on 11 February:

Sioned Williams

NNDM9024

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes a proposal for a Human Rights (Wales) Bill.

2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:

a) make select international human rights part of Welsh law so that they are binding on Welsh Ministers and public authorities in the exercise of devolved functions and may be enforced by a court or tribunal;

b) make it easier for people in Wales to understand and claim their rights, providing clearer routes to access justice when their rights are not upheld by public bodies; and 

c) improve monitoring and accountability, ensuring that public bodies and other institutions can be held to account when they fail to uphold these human rights.

The Business Committee noted the letter. The Trefnydd confirmed that she and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care had considered the request and would be responding to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to indicate that the Government intends to proceed with the debate on 24 February as scheduled. The Trefnydd noted that this would allow time for a further debate before the end of the current Senedd should one be required to consider any further supplementary Legislative Consent Memoranda on the Bill.

The Business Committee considered an update from the Trefnydd and agreed to:

• refer SLCM (No.3) 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 of 20 March 2026;
• refer the LCM on the Armed Forced Bill to the Equality and Social Justice Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 20 March 2026;
• refer the LCM on the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 10 February 2026; and
• extend the reporting deadline on the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to 2 March 2026.

The Business Committee considered the request and agreed to make time available in Plenary for a debate on the report on 18 March 2026.

The Business Committee agreed its approach to proposing Standing Order changes to the Senedd prior to dissolution, with a first set of reports to be scheduled for debate in Plenary on 25 February 2026 and a second set on 11 March 2026.

The Business Committee noted the letter and initial recommendations emerging from the Family-Friendly and Inclusive Review of the Senedd. Business Managers agreed that it will be important to give the recommendations emerging from the Review detailed consideration and will consider a response once the final report is available. The Business Committee noted that, given the extremely limited time remaining in this Senedd term, it will likely include the potential for procedural consideration of these matters as part of its legacy report.

The Llywydd indicated that she will be meeting with the Chair of the Family-Friendly and Inclusive Review Board this week.

The Business Committee considered the letter and proposed Standing Order changes from the Petitions Committee. Business Managers agreed to discuss with their groups before returning to consider the proposed changes further at its next meeting.

The Business Committee noted the letter and agreed not to propose any changes to Standing Orders regarding the Chairs’ Forum in the current Senedd.

The Committee agreed to include the potential for procedural consideration of this matter as part of its legacy report ahead of the Seventh Senedd.

The Business Committee considered arrangements for remote voting in Plenary and several options for potential changes to practice.

Paul Davies noted that the Welsh Conservative group favoured ending arrangements for remote participation and voting. Business Managers agreed to discuss with their groups before returning to this issue at a future meeting.