Meeting Venue:
Tŷ Hywel
Meeting date: 11 March 2025
Meeting time: 09.00 - 09.37
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Category |
Names |
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Committee Members: |
Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair) Paul Davies MS Heledd Fychan MS Jane Hutt MS |
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Committee Staff: |
Graeme Francis (Clerk) Yan Thomas (Deputy Clerk) |
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Others in attendance |
David Rees MS, Deputy Presiding Officer Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive and Clerk Matthew Richards, Interim Director of Senedd Business Bethan Davies, Head of Chamber and Committee Service Julian Luke, Head of Policy and Legislation Committee Service Helen Carey, Welsh Government |
The Llywydd welcomed Members to the meeting. Apologies were received from Jane Dodds.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.
This Week’s Business
Tuesday
· Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.
· Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.45pm.
Wednesday
The Llywydd informed Business Managers of the following change:
·
Questions to the Senedd Commission (30 0 mins)
· Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
· Plenary is unlikely to run past 7.10pm.
The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to the Three Week Timetable of Government Business:
Tuesday 25 March 2025
·
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd
and Chief Whip: Update on digital inclusion – next phase (45
mins) – rescheduled to 1 April
·
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North
Wales: Travel for all (45 mins) rescheduled to 1
April
· Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government: Culture and Governance Reform in the Fire and Rescue Service (45 mins) – rescheduled from 1 April
· Debate: Learner Travel (60 mins) rescheduled from 1 April
· The Regulated Services (Inspection Ratings) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (15 mins)
· The Food (Promotion and Presentation) (Wales) Regulations 2025 (15 mins)
· The Partnership Arrangements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (5 mins)
· Debate: The Crown Estate (60 mins) rescheduled from 1 April
The Trefnydd indicated that the debates on the Crown Estate and Learner Travel have been brought forward to 25 March to accommodate the Legislative Statement on the Bus Services (Wales) Bill and related statements, which have been postponed to 1 April.
The Trefnydd also indicated that Stage 3 proceedings on the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill, which had been due to take place on 1 April, are now scheduled for 6 May. This is to allow time for further discussion between the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language and Members on the approach to stage 3 amendments.
The Llywydd highlighted that the new date immediately follows a bank holiday Monday, and is also understood to be the same day that Stage 3 proceedings on the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill are currently anticipated to be scheduled.
Business Committee discussed the impact on tabling deadlines for amendments and the practical difficulties that the proposed scheduling could cause to Members, group office staff and Commission staff. The Trefnydd agreed to consider the points raised and the options for scheduling the proceedings prior to the Business Committee returning to the matter at the following meeting.
The following items were agreed to be scheduled on the Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business:
Wednesday 2 April 2025 –
· Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee: Debate on the gaps identified in the preparedness and response of the Welsh Government and other Welsh public bodies during the COVID-19 pandemic that should be subject to further examination (60 mins)
· Debate on the Standards of Conduct Committee Report: Individual Member Accountability: Deliberate deception (60 mins)
· Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
· Short Debate: Lesley Griffiths MS (Wrexham) (30 mins)
Business Committee considered the motions and agreed to schedule the following motion on 19 March 2025: Carolyn Thomas: NNDM8839 Can renewables alone meet the energy needs of Wales?
The Business Committee discussed the proposed timetable for scrutiny of the Bus Service (Wales) Bill and agreed to refer the Bill to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee for consideration of the general principles.
The Business Committee agreed to consult with the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee on the proposed timetable for scrutiny and return to the matter at a future meeting.
Business Committee considered an update on Legislative Consent Memoranda and agreed to:
Business Committee noted the letter.
Business Committee noted the Future Senedd Committee’s report ‘Review of Standing Order Thresholds’ and its recommendations, and agreed to:
Any Other Business
Business Committee meeting – 18 March
The Llywydd discussed the Committee’s meeting on 18 March. Business Managers agreed a proposal for the meeting to be held in person and to incorporate a visit to Siambr Hywel, ahead of Plenary meetings moving there following the Easter recess in order to enable expansion works to be undertaken on the Senedd Siambr.