Minutes - Business Committee


Meeting Venue:

Conference Room 4B - Tŷ Hywel

Meeting date: 8 July 2025

Meeting time: 09.00 - 09.15


Private, Hybrid

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Attendance

Category

Names

Committee Members:

Elin Jones MS, Llywydd (Chair)

Paul Davies MS

Heledd Fychan MS

Jane Hutt MS

Committee Staff:

Lisa Griffiths (Clerk)

Yan Thomas (Deputy Clerk)

Others in attendance

Jane Dodds MS

David Rees MS, Deputy Presiding Officer

Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive and Clerk

Julian Luke, Director of Senedd Business

Bethan Davies, Head of Chamber and Committee Service

Graeme Francis, Clerk

Helen Carey, Welsh Government

 

<AI1>

1       Introductions, apologies and substitutions

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

</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:

 

 

 

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she will call a short break between Voting Time and the start of Stage 3 proceedings to enable final preparations, and that she will consider a further break during Stage 3 proceedings should it be requested by the Members involved.  

 

Wednesday

 

</AI4>

<AI5>

3.2   Three week timetable of Government Business

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

 

Tuesday 16 September 2025

·         Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery: The Planning (Wales) Bill and the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill (45 mins)

 

Heledd Fychan again sought confirmation of when the Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education on the Progress of the Curriculum Rollout would be rescheduled. In response, the Trefnydd confirmed that an Oral Statement would not be delivered before the summer recess. A Written Statement will be issued next week, the Cabinet Secretary will answer Oral Questions next Wednesday and will also be giving evidence to the Children, Young People and Education Committee on this subject in September. However, the Trefnydd agreed to discuss the possibility of an oral statement on this matter early in the autumn term with the Cabinet Secretary.

</AI5>

<AI6>

3.3   Three week timetable of Senedd Business

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

 

Wednesday 24 September 2025 –

·         Debate on petition: P-06-1494 Welsh Government to protect funding in education from WG and Local Authority cuts (30 mins)

·         Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report: AI and the Welsh Economy: Can Welsh androids dream of electric sheep? (30 minutes)

 

In order to facilitate ministerial attendance, Business Managers agreed to schedule the Finance Committee Debate on the Welsh Government's spending priorities for the 2026–27 budget ahead of the statement by Mark Isherwood MS on the Introduction of his Member Bill: The British Sign Language (Wales) Bill, on Wednesday 16 July.

</AI6>

<AI7>

4       Legislation

</AI7>

<AI8>

4.1   Letter from the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee regarding the timetable for the Planning Consolidation Bills

Business Committee considered the views of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee and agreed the timetables for scrutiny of the two Bills, including a revised Initial Consideration reporting deadline of 28 November 2025 for both Bills.

 

</AI8>

<AI9>

4.2   Letter from the Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee regarding the timetable for the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill

Business Committee considered a response from the Equality and Social Justice Committee and agreed the proposed timetable for scrutiny of the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill.

</AI9>

<AI10>

4.3   Update on LCMs

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

 

</AI10>

<AI11>

5       Committees

</AI11>

<AI12>

5.1   Letter from the Chair of the Committee for Scrutiny of the First Minister regarding the work of the Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee

Business Committee noted the letter.

</AI12>

<AI13>

6       Welsh Government Draft Budget 2026-27

</AI13>

<AI14>

6.1   Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip regarding the 2026-27 Draft Budget timetable

Business Committee discussed the Draft Budget timetable for 2026-27 and, in accordance with Standing Order 20.4, agreed to write to the Finance Committee in order to consult it on the proposed timetable.  

</AI14>

<AI15>

7       Tabling arrangements

</AI15>

<AI16>

7.1   Summer Recess Tabling Arrangements

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

</AI16>

<AI17>

8       Any other business

The Llywydd reminded Business Managers of the additional Business Committee meeting tomorrow, at which they will be asked to provide feedback from their groups on procedural matters considered in previous meetings.

</AI17>

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