Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. No apologies were received.

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication. 

Tuesday 

• Voting Time will take place as the last item of business
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 8.20pm.

Stage 3 of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill is scheduled for three hours. There are 54 amendments in 11 groups. A 10 minute break will take place prior to the start of Stage 3.

Wednesday

The Business Committee agreed the following change:

• Questions to the Senedd Commission (30 10 mins)

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.  

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7:25pm.

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

Tuesday 3 March 2026

• Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (5 mins):
• The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments and Transitory Provision) Regulations 2026
• The Online Safety Act 2023 (Exempt User-to-User and Search Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
• Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (10 mins):
• The Infrastructure Consent (Fees) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
• The Infrastructure Consent (Compensation for Changing or Revoking Infrastructure Consent Orders) (Wales) Regulations 2026
• The Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (15 mins)

Heledd Fychan raised that Members of her group had asked whether the 24 February remained the preferred date for the debate on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill LCM, in light of the further supplementary LCM to be laid by the Government. The Trefnydd confirmed that 24 February is still considered to be the most appropriate date.

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

Wednesday 25 February 2026 –

• Motion to amend Standing Orders: Categories of Members (5 mins)
• Motion to amend Standing Orders: Standing Order Thresholds (5 mins)
• Motion to amend Standing Orders: Political Groups and Groupings (5 mins)
• Motion to amend Standing Orders: Additional Deputy Presiding Officer (5 mins)
• Motion to amend Standing Orders: Committee Chair Job Sharing (5 mins)
• Motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill (5 mins)

Wednesday 11 March 2026 -

• Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report: Bringing home the harvest: Supporting the Welsh food processing industry (30 mins)
• Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report: Local Growth Fund (30 mins)
• Debate on the Family-Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review Board Report (60 mins)
• Debate: Stage 4 of the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill (15 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Short Debate: Russell George MS (Montgomeryshire) (30 mins)

The Business Committee noted the letter and that the Committee has not reported on the LCM due to the limited time available.

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

• refer SLCM (No.2) on the Railways Bill to the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 20 March 2026;
• pre-emptively refer SLCM (No.3) on the Crime and Policing Bill to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 24 February 2026;
• pre-emptively refer SLCM (No.4) on Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill to the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 24 February 2026; and
• pre-emptively refer SLCM (No.2) on Pension Schemes Bill to the Local Government and Housing Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 24 February 2026.

The Business Committee considered the paper and:

• agreed that the Table Office will open after the first Plenary meeting of the Seventh Senedd for accepting laid documents, written questions, urgent business, motions, amendments, statements of opinion, and laid documents;

• noted that Written Questions tabled from that point will be published in the usual way with the deadline for answers shown as five working days after they have been tabled; and
• noted that Written Questions tabled to the Welsh Government will be tabled for answer by the First Minister, who will determine who should answer them until other Ministers are appointed.

The Business Committee considered and agreed a request from the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister for it to meet on Friday 13 March 2026.

The Business Committee returned to consideration of amendments to Standing Orders proposed by the Petitions Committee and agreed to propose some of the changes to the Senedd.

The Business Committee decided that it would not take forward a proposal to amend Standing Order 23.1, which would have required petitions to be referred to a single committee, on the basis that it does not wish to limit the flexibility of the next Business Committee when it establishes committees in the Seventh Senedd.

Business Managers noted that a draft Standing Order change report would be produced for agreement at a future meeting.

The Business Committee noted the response from the Standards of Conduct Committee containing proposed guidance relating to the requirement for Members who table business on behalf of others to declare interests at the point of tabling. The Business Committee indicated that it was content with the proposal.

The Business Committee agreed the draft report.

The Business Committee agreed the draft report.