Agenda and minutes

Venue: Presiding Officer’s office, 4th floor - Tŷ Hywel. View directions

Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

2.

Minutes of the previous meeting

Minutes:

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

3.

Organisation of Business

3.1

This Week's Business

Minutes:

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that following the death of former Member Rod Richards she will say a few words at the start of Plenary today. Darren Millar informed Business Managers that Paul Davies will also say a few words at the beginning of his questions to the First Minister.

 

Tuesday

 

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

Wednesday

 

·         All voting will take place before the Short Debate.

 

 

3.2

Three Week Timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

3.3

Three Week Timetable of Assembly Business

Minutes:

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

 

Wednesday 18 September 2019 –

 

·         Motion under Standing Order 26.17(iii) in relation to the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill (5 mins)

·         Motion under Standing Order 16.5 to establish a Committee (5 mins)

Wednesday 25 September 2019 –

 

·         Finance Committee debate on the Government’s spending priorities (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee report: Supporting and Promoting the Welsh Language (60 mins) (postponed to 2 October)

 

Wednesday 2 October 2019 –

 

·         Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee report: Dentistry in Wales (30 mins)

·         Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee report: Supporting and Promoting the Welsh Language (60 mins) (postponed from 25 September)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

 

4.

Legislation

4.1

Stage 2 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill

Minutes:

Business Managers confirmed their previous decision that Stage 2 proceedings of the Bill will take place in a Committee of the Whole Assembly, and further agreed that it should take place on 9 October 2019 and that the disposal of all amendments will be completed in one sitting. They agreed that the only non-government business to be scheduled for Plenary that day will be Topical Questions, 90 Second Statements, and the Short Debate, so that the proceedings of the Committee of the Whole Assembly can take place after Plenary business.

 

Depending on the number of amendments tabled, Business Managers agreed to consider nearer the time whether Plenary should start earlier on that day, and whether any further adjustments to the agenda might be required.

 

Business Managers agreed to table a motion under Standing Order 26.17(iii) proposing that Stage 2 proceedings of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Bill take place in a Committee of the Whole Assembly, for consideration in Plenary on Wednesday 18 September.

5.

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2020-21

5.1

Letter from the Chair of the Finance Committee on the Timetable for the Welsh Government Budget 2020-21

Minutes:

Business Managers noted the letter and the concerns of Finance Committee regarding the proposed timetable and the fact that they welcome the timetable moving forward if possible, and in that situation more time should be allowed for scrutiny.

 

Business Committee agreed the budget timetable, but noted again that it may change in the autumn.

 

Business Managers agreed to schedule a Finance Committee debate on 25 September, and asked whether the outcomes of the Committee consultation could form the basis of the debate.

 

6.

Committees

6.1

The establishment of a Committee on Assembly Electoral Reform

Minutes:

Business Managers agreed to seek the Assembly’s agreement to establish a Committee on Assembly Electoral Reform early in the autumn, and to table a motion to that effect for consideration on 18 September.

 

They noted that discussions about the chairing of the Committee are ongoing, but supported the principle of the Chair being agreed by resolution of the Assembly, rather than elected by secret ballot. They also supported the principle of all groups being represented on the Committee, whilst keeping it small. They agreed to discuss potential membership with their groups, with a view to agreeing the membership and Chair at the first Business Committee of the autumn term, with motions being put to Plenary in the second week.

7.

Standing Orders

7.1

Amending Standing Orders - Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

Minutes:

Business Managers agreed to consult their groups on the proposals, and to write to ELGC and Finance Committees to seek their views on the possible changes to their remits. They agreed to return to the matter in September.

7.

Any Other Business

Minutes:

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that the government will be laying a Section 109 Order before the end of the week. Business Managers provisionally agreed to refer the proposed Order to CLA Committee, with a reporting deadline of 30 September.