Agenda and minutes

The Llywydd welcomed Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Trefnydd, and noted that she was formally a substitute for Julie James at today’s meeting. A motion will be considered at tomorrow’s Plenary to formally Elect Rebecca Evans to the Business Committee.

The minutes for the meeting were agreed by the Committee for publication.

This Week’s Business

Tuesday

·         Voting Time will take place as the last item of business.

Wednesday

·         Voting Time will take place before the short debate.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee determined the organisation of Assembly business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 16 January 2019 –

·         Statutory Instrument Consent Motion: The Marine Environment (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (15mins)

·         Debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report: Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) – postponed until 23 January

Wednesday 23 January 2019 –

·         Motion under Standing Order 26.91 seeking the Assembly's agreement to introduce a Member Bill on Older Peoples Rights (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Public Accounts Committee report on the NHS Wales Informatics Services  (60 mins) - postponed until 30 January

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins) – postponed from 16 January

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins) – postponed until 30 January

Wednesday 30 January 2019 –

·         Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal (30 mins)

·         Debate on the Public Accounts Committee report on the NHS Wales Informatics Services (60 mins) - postponed from 23 January

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins) - postponed from 23 January

Business Managers agreed to schedule the motion for debate on 16 January.

Business Managers discussed the request and Rhun ap Iorwerth stated that, as he understood it, NICE guidance has been updated since the letter was sent. Business Managers agreed to look at this further, in consultation with the Petitions Committee, before making a decision on whether to schedule the debate.

Business Managers noted the changes. The Trefnydd stated that Ministers and Deputy Ministers were in discussion over the allocation of responsibilities between them. A revised ‘Ministerial Responsibilities’ document will be re-circulated to Members shortly.

The Deputy Presiding Officer chaired this item as the Llywydd is the Member in charge of the Bill.

Business Managers considered the paper and whether the responsible committee for the purpose of considering the general principles of the Bill should be the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee. Darren Millar noted the conflict of interest of one Member of CLA also being a Member of the Assembly Commission, and suggested that the Bill be referred to the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee. It was also noted that that Committee included a Commission Member.

Given that the immediate decision is to consult on the proposed timetable for the Bill, Business Managers agreed to consult with both CLA and EAAL before deciding on which committee to refer it to.

On the issue of the proposed timetable the Trefnydd raised the potential impact on the Government’s Local Elections Bill if there were to be any delay in introducing the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill.

EIS visit to Manchester

Business Managers agreed the request.