Meetings

Business Committee noted the changes to the oral question schedule, and the Trefnydd confirmed that a new Ministerial responsibilities document will be available later today.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the fact that the Government has scheduled business for Tuesdays and Wednesdays from September onwards.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the addition of a set of coronavirus regulations to the agenda for 15 July:

Wednesday 15 July 2020

Proposal to debate the following items together but with separate votes: (30 mins)

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2020

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.7) Regulations 2020

The Trefnydd also explained that, following a request at last week’s Business Committee, the government had postponed the debate on the Agriculture Bill LCM until after the summer. Business Committee agreed a revised reporting deadline of 24 September for the committees considering the LCM.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the addition of a set of schools regulations to 15 July:

Wednesday 15 July 2020

·         Proposal to debate the following items together but with separate votes: (15 mins)

o   The Curriculum Requirements (Amendment of paragraph 7(5) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (15 mins)

o   The Maintained Schools (Amendment of Paragraph 7 of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020) (Wales) Regulations 2020

Sian Gwenllian requested that the Agriculture Bill LCM be delayed from 15 July, due to where it is currently in the UK Parliament timetable. The Trefnydd agreed to look into this and return to the matter next week.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the revised three-week timetable of government business circulated this morning.

Wednesday 8 July 2020

·         Debate: Stage 3 on the Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill (60 mins)

Wednesday 15 July 2020

·         Statement by the First Minister: The Legislative Programme (60 mins)

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2020 (30 mins)

·         Debate: Stage 4 on the Wild Animals and Circuses (Wales) Bill (15 mins)

Darren Millar suggested that Ministerial statements could be reinstated for post-regulation change announcements. The Trefnydd agreed to take this suggestion back to Ministerial colleagues.

The Trefnydd asked if the deadline for tabling FMQs could be brought forward, as it currently falls at the end of the day on Friday (4pm). Business Managers agreed to bring forward the deadline for the shuffle from 15.30 to 10.00.

Business Managers noted the three week timetable of government business.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the following change:

Wednesday 24 June 2020

• LCM on the Agriculture Bill (15 mins) – postponed until 15 July
• LCM on the Finance Bill (15 mins)

3 Week Timetable of Government Business 

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the revised 3 week timetable that was circulated this morning:  

Wednesday 17 June 2020 

·                     Proposal under Standing Order 12.24 to debate the following together but with separate votes: (30 mins) 

o  The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 

o  The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2020 

Business Committee agreed a provisional start time of 11am for the meeting on 3 June.

The Committee agreed to continue to schedule Topical Questions for the next three weeks.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the fact that the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 will be added to the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business for Wednesday 20 May. This will enable them to be considered alongside the No. 2 Amendment Regulations already scheduled for that day.

Business Committee agreed that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee should report in time for the two sets of regulations to be debated at the same.

Wednesday 3 June 2020

·         The Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 (15 mins)

The Committee agreed to continue to schedule Topical Questions as the sole item of Senedd business for the next three weeks.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the fact that two sets of regulations had been added to the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business:

Wednesday 20 May 2020

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (30 mins)

·         The Direct Payments to Farmers (Crop Diversification Derogation) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (15 mins)

The Committee agreed to schedule Topical Questions every week for the foreseeable future.

The Trefnydd updated the Business Committee on the LCMs on the Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Bill 2020, Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill 2020 and the Fire Safety Bill, which the Government had hoped to lay last week. They have been unable to do so as the same officials are working on the response to COVID-19, however the Government will keep the Business Committee updated on progress.

The government is also considering whether the Assembly’s consent is required on the Finance Bill, however this decision has also been delayed.

The Trefnydd also informed the Business Committee that the NDR Lists Bill is likely to move quickly through the UK Parliament, so six weeks for scrutiny is unlikely to be possible. However, the Assembly has already scrutinised and agreed an LCM on the previous Bill which fell on prorogation.

Point of order – Oral Assembly Questions

Business Managers noted that a Point of Order had been raised concerning the use of Standing Order 34.18.  Business Managers agreed that the Llywydd should continue with the practice of disapplying the requirements of Standing Order 12.56. No oral questions would be scheduled but the Committee agreed to reintroduce Topical Questions for week commencing 4 May. The Llywydd asked the secretariat to draft a note to Members outlining the criteria that would be used to select questions.The Committee agreed to keep these decisions under regular review.

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers of the following changes to the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business:

Wednesday 29 April 2020

·         Statement by the Minister for Education: Coronavirus (COVID-19) (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19) (45 mins)

·         Proposal under Standing Orders 12.24 and 12.40 to debate the following items together and that they be subject to a single vote (30 mins)

o   The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020

o   The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020

Wednesday 6 May 2020

·         Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19) (30 45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language: Coronavirus (COVID-19) (45 mins)

·         Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition: Coronavirus (COVID-19) (45 mins)

The Trefnydd explained that after next week there would be fortnightly alternating statements by the Health and Economy Ministers.

Business Managers asked the Trefnydd for more information on the statement by the Counsel General scheduled for 6 May.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the fact that LCMs on the Agriculture and Fisheries Bills did not appear on the three week timetable as had been previously anticipated due to delays in the parliamentary progress of these Bills.

Business Managers agreed that Plenary should be on Wednesdays in the future.

Business Managers agreed to formally designate a recess from 9 April to 21 April. This would allow for the clock to be paused on any statutory instruments, and recall provisions could be used if there was urgent business in the meantime.

Darren Millar asked the Trefnydd for a Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs on her department’s response to Covid-19. The Trefnydd confirmed that one would be scheduled for next week’s Plenary

Trefnydd has removed everything from the three-week timetable of Government Business other than First Minister’s Questions, Ministerial Questions and the Business Statement and Announcement in order to focus on COVID-19 items.

Business Managers noted the changes made by the government to the three week timetable of government business to focus on discussions on the coronavirus.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd circulated a revised copy of the timetable:

Tuesday 25 February 2020 –

·         Motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Bill (5 mins)

Tuesday 3 March 2020 –

·         Debate: Progress On Tackling Hate Crime (60 mins)

In response to queries from Business Managers, the Trefnydd agreed to provide a note setting out the respective responsibilities of the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his Brexit Minister responsibilities) and other Ministers post-EU exit, in particular the Minister for International Relations in respect of international trade and negotiations on the future relationship with the EU.

Tuesday 4^th February 2020

·                     Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on the work of the Inter-Ministerial Group on Paying for Social Care (45 mins)

·                     Debate: Report of the Commission on Justice in Wales (60 mins)

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd notified Business Managers of the following change to Government Business for the next 3 weeks:

Tuesday 21 January 2020 –

·         LCM on the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill (90 mins)

Wednesday 22 January 2020 –

·         LCM on the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill (30 mins)

Tuesday 28 January 2020 –

·         Statement by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government: Supporting our Town Centres (45 mins)

Business Managers noted the exchange of letters between the Trefnydd and the Llywydd, with the Llywydd agreeing a request to allow Stage 4 of the National Health Service (Indemnities) (Wales) Bill to take place immediately on completion of Stage 3 proceedings on 14 January 2020. 

The Trefnydd notified Business Managers of the following changes to Government Business for the next 3 weeks: 

Tuesday 14 January 2020 – 

·         Debate: The Equality and Human Rights Annual Review 2018/19 (60 mins) – postponed  

·         Statutory Instrument Consent Motion: The Pilotage Act 1987 (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (15 mins) 

·         Debate: Stage 4 of the National Health Service (Indemnities) (Wales) Bill (15 mins)  

Tuesday 21 January 2020 – 

·      The Representation of the People (Annual Canvass) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (15 mins) 

·      The Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Qualifications) (Wales) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (15 mins) - withdrawn 

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the fact that the motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Bill has now been withdrawn as it is not needed. She also informed Business Managers that the Stage 3 debate will now happen in January, and agreed to confirm whether this delay is due to the need to get Minister of the Crown consents.

The Llywydd asked if the Trefnydd could clarify the government’s approach to the Westminster pre-election period. The Trefnydd indicated that the Welsh Government was still awaiting the publication of the UK Government’s guidance, and would bring a note to next week’s meeting.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd notified Business Managers of the following change to Government Business for the next 3 weeks:

Tuesday 5 November 2019 –

·         Statement by the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd: Annual Update on Reforming Local Government Finance (45 mins)

·         LCM on the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill (15 mins) - withdrawn

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd notified Business Managers of the following change to Government Business for the next 3 weeks:

Tuesday 15 October 2019

Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: Supporting Local Housing Authorities to secure long term housing options in the Private Rented Sector (45 mins) – Postponed until 5th November

The Trefnydd notified Business Managers of the following change to Government Business for the next 3 weeks:

Tuesday 8 October 2019

·         Statement by the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on the Baby Bundle Pilot (30 mins) - withdrawn

Rhun ap Iorwerth asked when a statement on eating disorders would be scheduled. The Trefnydd would confirm whether it would be a written or oral statement, and noted the request for an oral statement.

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that the First Minister will not be available for FMQs on 1 October, so she will be answering in his place.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd informed Business Managers that the statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: A Healthier Wales – One Year On will be issued as a written statement.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd confirmed that Voting Time on 25 June will be before Stage 3 of the Legislation (Wales) Bill.

The Trefnydd notified Business Managers of the following changes to Government Business for the next 3 weeks:

Tuesday 18 June 2019 –

·         Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government – The Working Group on Local Government - next steps (45mins)

·         Statement by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip: Progress Towards Wales becoming a Nation of Sanctuary (45 mins) -  will be issued as a written statement

Tuesday 25 June 2019 –

Debate on the M4 Corridor around Newport (90 mins)

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Managers noted the small number of government debates over the next three weeks.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Managers noted the following, to take place after the Llywydd’s statement on Tuesday 7 May:

·         Address by the First Minister to mark the twentieth anniversary of devolution (15 mins)

The Trefnydd circulated a revised hard copy of the ‘Three Week Timetable of Government Business’, all changes will be shown on the Business Statement and Announcement.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Trefnydd circulated a revised hard copy of the ‘Three Week Timetable of Government Business’, all changes will be shown on the Business Statement and Announcement.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business which was amended to reflect the items rescheduled from Tuesday 5 March. Hard copies of the updated version were shared with Business Managers.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Jane Hutt explained that the First Minister would be undertaking a visit to the USA on Tuesday 28 February and would not be able to attend Plenary to answer questions that week. Jane Hutt will be answering questions in his stead. The Llywydd asked Business Managers to agree a consistent approach regarding which Members would question the Leader of the House during Leaders’ Questions.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Managers also noted that the Cabinet Secretary for Education had moved her OAQs from 18 January to 11 January due to foreign travel commitments. The usual rotation would then resume. The Counsel General would therefore be the only member of the government answering questions on 18 January.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport on ‘Wales for Africa’, which was postponed by procedural motion on Tuesday 8 November, has been re-scheduled for 22 November.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.