Agenda and minutes

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

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

Tuesday

·         Voting Time will take place before Stage 3 proceedings. 

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.15pm.

The Llywydd informed Business Committee of her intention to make a brief statement and invite the Senedd to hold a moment of reflection for those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. Business Committee agreed that the Llywydd would also call Party Leaders to make brief statements.

Wednesday

At the request of the Government, Business Committee agreed that the opposition debates be re-ordered to facilitate the Deputy Minister for Mental Health & Wellbeing to respond to the Welsh Conservatives debate on mental health, as reflected below:

• Plaid Cymru debate: HS2 consequential funding (60 mins) re-ordered to item 7
• Welsh Conservatives debate: Mental health (60 mins) re-ordered to item 8

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

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind members of their groups that they should not arrive late for items they wish to contribute to and stated that she and the DPO intend to take a firm line on not calling Members in such circumstances in the future. The Llywydd also asked Business Managers to remind Members of the expectation that they do not leave the Siambr during items on which they have contributed.

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that there are no changes to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business.

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

Wednesday 8 November 2023 -

• 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: Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (30 mins)

Business Committee agreed to refer Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 5) on the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 16 October.

Business Committee noted that the Local Government and Housing Committee does not intend to report on the Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (No. 4) for the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill as the amendments covered by that Memorandum fall outside the LGH Committee’s remit.  For the same reason, Business Committee agreed not to refer the SLCM (No.5) to the LGH Committee.

Business Committee agreed the request for the Equality and Social Justice Committee to meet earlier than its scheduled meeting time on 4 December, in order to facilitate an evidence session with the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip.