Minutes - Business Committee


Meeting Venue:

Tŷ Hywel

Meeting date: 9 July 2024

Meeting time: 09.00 - 09.26


Remote / Private

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Attendance

Category

Names

Committee Members:

Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair)

Heledd Fychan MS

Jane Hutt MS

Darren Millar MS

Committee Staff:

Graeme Francis (Clerk)

Yan Thomas (Deputy Clerk)

Others in attendance

Jane Dodds MS

David Rees MS, Deputy Presiding Officer

Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive and Clerk

Siân Wilkins, Head of Procedures and Parliamentary Skills

Bethan Davies, Head of Chamber and Committee Service

Julian Luke, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service

Helen Carey, Welsh Government

 

<AI1>

1       Introductions, apologies and substitutions

The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting.

</AI1>

<AI2>

2       Minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

</AI2>

<AI3>

3       Organisation of Business

</AI3>

<AI4>

3.1   This week's business

Tuesday 

 

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following change:

 

·         Stage 3 of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill (180 120 mins)

 

·         Voting Time will take place before Stage 3 proceedings.

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.30pm

 

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that a 10 minute break will be taken between Voting Time and Stage 3 proceedings.

 

Wednesday

 

·         Voting Time will take place after the short debate.  

·         Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.40pm

 

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to notify their Members that due to a security sweep of the Senedd following the end of Plenary on Wednesday, Members are requested to leave the Senedd building promptly on that evening.

</AI4>

<AI5>

3.2   Three week timetable of Government Business

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that no changes have been made to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business.

</AI5>

<AI6>

3.3   Three week timetable of Senedd Business

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

 

Wednesday 17 July 2024 –

 

 

Wednesday 18 September 2024 –

 

 

Wednesday 25 September 2024 –

 

</AI6>

<AI7>

4       Legislation

</AI7>

<AI8>

4.1   Response from the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee regarding the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill timetable

Business Committee noted the response from the Committee and agreed the proposed timetable for scrutiny of the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill.

</AI8>

<AI9>

4.2   Revised timetable on the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill

The Business Committee considered a revised timetable presented by the Trefnydd and:

·         agreed the revised Stage 2 deadline of 4 October 2024;

·         noted that it has previously agreed in principle to table a motion to propose that Stage 2 proceedings are referred to a Committee of the Whole Senedd;

·         agreed to give effect to that decision by tabling a motion under SO26.17(iii) for debate on 17 July 2024, subject to the general principles being agreed on 16 July; and

·         agreed that Stage 2 proceedings will take place after Plenary on 1 October 2024.

·         subject to the above, agreed to allocate a meeting slot to the Committee of the Whole Senedd for the purpose of Stage 2 proceedings after Plenary on 1 October 2024.

 

 

 

</AI9>

<AI10>

5       Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26

</AI10>

<AI11>

5.1   Letter from the Trefnydd and Chief Whip regarding the Draft Budget timetable 2025-26

Business Committee discussed the Draft Budget timetable for 2025-26 and, in accordance with Standing Order 20.4, agreed to write to the Finance Committee in order to consult with them on the proposed timetable.

</AI11>

<AI12>

6       Committees

</AI12>

<AI13>

6.1   Letter from the Chair of the Petitions Committee requesting a debate slot

Business Committee considered the request and agreed to schedule a debate on petition P-06-1455 Protect the junior departments of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from closure on 18 September 2024.

</AI13>

<AI14>

6.2   Consideration of responses received from committees regarding their remits

Business Committee considered the responses and suggestions received from committees, and agreed to transfer responsibility for scrutiny of freeports and the circular economy from the remit of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure (CCEI) Committee to the remit of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs (ETRA) Committee.

 

Business Committee also agreed to propose that the chairs of the CCEI, ETRA and Local Government and Housing (LGH) committees informally discuss ways in which they may be able to further coordinate ministerial scrutiny between their committees, and in particular during budget scrutiny.

</AI14>

<AI15>

7       Senedd Timetable

</AI15>

<AI16>

7.1   Recess Dates

Business Committee confirmed the dates for the Spring Half Term and Easter Recess 2025, and agreed provisional recess dates for the Whitsun Half Term and Summer Recess 2025, as shown below:

Recess

Dates

Summer Recess 2024

Monday 22 July 2024 – Sunday 15 September 2024

Autumn Half Term 2024

 

Monday 28 October 2024 – Sunday 3 November 2024

Christmas Recess 2024

Monday 16 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

Spring Half Term 2025

Monday 24 February 2025 – Sunday 2 March 2025

Easter Recess 2025

Monday 7 April 2025 – Sunday 27 April 2025

*Whitsun Half Term 2025

Monday 26 May 2025 - Sunday 1 June 2025

*Summer Recess 2025

Monday 21 July 2025 – Sunday 14 September 2025

* Provisional dates to be confirmed by Business Committee.

</AI16>

<AI17>

8       Tabling arrangements

</AI17>

<AI18>

8.1   Summer Recess Tabling Arrangements

Business Committee confirmed the arrangements for tabling plenary business during the summer recess and also agreed the arrangements for the tabling of Written Questions.

</AI18>

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