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

Business Committee noted the following changes:

• Building Safety (Wales) Bill: Signification of His Majesty’s consent (5 mins)
• Proposal under SO12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (15 mins):
• Final stage of the Planning (Wales) Bill
• Final Stage of the Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Bill
• Voting Time will take place as the last item of business
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 8.15.

The Business Committee noted that on Tuesday there will be a 10-minute break prior to the start of Stage 3 proceedings and a second break between the first and second Stage 3, to allow for Members to leave the chamber and for changeovers on the front desk.

Heledd Fychan asked whether the Welsh Government has any plans to follow up the Written Statement issued by the First Minister last week on the individuals that were arrested on suspected offences under the National Security Act 2023. The Trefnydd indicated that there was little more the Government could say on this issue as it relates to a live police investigation.

The Llywydd confirmed that she has agreed a proxy voting request from Sarah Murphy MS.

Wednesday

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.  

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 7:45pm.

Business Managers noted that BSL interpretation will be provided for the Stage 4 debate on the BSL (Wales) Bill and Voting Time, with the public gallery is fully booked for the Stage 4 debate. A palantypist is also being provided.

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

Tuesday 17 March 2026

·         Statement by the First Minister: The Welsh Government response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Modules 2, 2A, 2B, 2C Report: Core decision-making and political governance (60 mins)

·         Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation (Wales) Bill: Signification of His Majesty’s consent (5 mins)

Tuesday 24 March 2026

·         The Child Minding and Day Care Exceptions (Revocation and Transitional Provision) (Wales) Order 2026 (15 mins)

·         The Digital Waste Tracking (Wales) Regulations 2026 (15 mins)

·         The Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (5 mins)

·         The National Health Service (Direct Payments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (10 mins)

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that the Government may need to lay an emergency set of regulations in relation to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. Should this be required, the intention would be to lay the regulations on 17 March and for a Senedd debate to held on 24 March.

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

Wednesday 18 March 2026

• Debate on the Standards of Conduct Committee report – Twenty Fifth report to the Sixth Senedd under Standing Order 22.9 (15 mins)
• Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following items together but with separate votes (15 mins)
• Motion to approve the Code of Conduct on the Standards of Conduct for Members of the Senedd
• Motion to approve the Guidance for Members of the Senedd on the registration, declaration and recording of financial and other interests

The Business Committee noted the paper and agreed:

• that the Legislation Justice and Constitution Committee’s merits report is drawn to the attention of incoming Senedd Members; and
• to note the implications for the scrutiny of subordinate legislation at the start of the Seventh Senedd, and in particular, of any delays to the establishment of the new responsible committee under Standing Order 21.

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

• extend the reporting deadline for the Crime & Policing Bill to 10 March 2026;
• pre-emptively refer SLCM (No.5) on the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill to the Children, Young People and Education Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for scrutiny, with a reporting deadline of 17 March 2026;
• note the position in relation to SLCM (No.4) on the Tobacco & Vapes Bill and that there will be no opportunity for Senedd scrutiny of SLCM (No.4) on this Bill, but to draw the latest memorandum to the attention of the Health and Social Care Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee; and
• extend the reporting deadline for all memoranda on the Railways Bill to 27 March 2026, and note that a debate on a legislative consent motion will not be scheduled in this Senedd.

The Business Committee considered and noted changes proposed by the Llywydd to the Guidance on the Proper Conduct of Senedd Business, resulting from amendments to Standing Orders and in relation to Debates on Members Legislative Proposals.

The Business Committee considered a letter from the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Board and agreed for the Llywydd to respond to the Board’s consultation regarding remuneration of job-sharing committee chairs on behalf of the Business Committee.

Stage 3 of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill

The Business Committee noted that legal hearings in relation to a Judicial Review challenge in relation to the Bill are taking place this week and that the Llywydd would consider whether further advice would be issued to Members in advance.

Stage 4 of the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill

The Trefnydd consulted the Business Committee on the possibility of moving the Stage 4 vote on the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Bill to take place immediately following Stage 3 proceedings on 17 March 2026, including the availability of Members to participate in that vote. The Trefnydd indicated that the purpose of doing so would be to reduce the risk of Stage 4 not being able to take place, given that it is currently scheduled for the final week of this Senedd term.

Paul Davies expressed that he did not support moving Stage 4 proceedings immediately following Stage 3, and that Stage 4 proceedings should take place as normal a week after Stage 3.

Business Managers agreed to seek and feedback views from their political groups.

Arrangements for the last Plenary meeting of the Sixth Senedd

The Llywydd raised potential arrangements for the final Plenary meeting of this Senedd on 25 March 2026, including the potential for a selection of Members who are not standing for re-election to make short contributions to the Senedd. The Business Committee agreed to have a further discussion at the following meeting.