Agenda and minutes

Venue: Video Conference via Zoom

Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones 

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions, apologies and substitutions

2.

Minutes of the previous meeting

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed for publication.

3.

Organisation of Business

3.1

This Week's Business

Minutes:

Timings for statements

 

The Llywydd consulted with Business Managers and confirmed that spokespeople should speak once for a maximum of five minutes during statements. She also confirmed that all other Members continue to be limited to one minute each in both virtual and hybrid meetings, and that she will return to always calling the Conservatives first on statements.

 

Timings for Oral Questions

The Llywydd confirmed that all supplementaries will continue to be limited to one minute.

 

The Llywydd also confirmed that Leaders and Spokespeople’s questions will continue to be limited to one minute per question (3 questions for Conservatives and Plaid Cymru and 2 for the Brexit Party).

 

Masks in the Siambr

 

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that masks can be worn in the Siambr, but that they are not required, and that Members should remove them when speaking.

 

3.2

Three Week Timetable of Government Business

Minutes:

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the revised timetable, circulated this morning, which added two more sets of regulations to the group on Tuesday 22 September: The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.9) Regulations 2020 and The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

 

3.3

Three Week Timetable of Senedd Business

Minutes:

Business Committee considered the letter from the Chair of the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform alongside the paper, and agreed to schedule the debate on 7 October alongside other items of business:

 

Wednesday 7 October 2020 –

 

·         Debate on the Finance Committee report: – Inquiry into a legislative budget process (60 mins)

·         Debate on the Committee on Senedd Electoral Reform report: Senedd reform: the next steps (30 mins)

·         Debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report: Into sharp relief - inequality and the pandemic (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

 

4.

Senedd Business

4.1

Arrangements for Senedd business in the Autumn Term

Minutes:

The Business Committee agreed to schedule breaks tomorrow after the BSA and after the Statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services, to enable Members in the Chamber to swap.

 

The Committee decided that they would ask the Independent Members to agree on when they would attend the Siambr, and if they are not able to decide between them then they may be balloted.

 

The Committee noted that an update on options for increasing the number of Members able to be present in the Chamber at any one time will be provided after the Commission meeting at the end of September and also

noted the arrangements for trialling hybrid committee meetings set out in the Annex to the paper.

 

Business Managers agreed it would be useful to have a longer ‘forward look’ of upcoming government and non-government Plenary business if possible, to help Members plan their attendance.

 

5.

Legislation

5.1

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2020

Minutes:

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Thursday 17 September for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

 

5.2

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2020

Minutes:

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Thursday 17 September for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

 

5.3

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 8) (Caerphilly) Regulations 2020

Minutes:

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 21 September for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

 

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.9) Regulations 2020

 

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 21 September for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

 

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities) (Wales) Regulations 2020

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 21 September for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

 

5.4

The Curriculum Requirements (Amendment of paragraph 7(6) of Schedule 17 to the Coronavirus Act 2020) (Wales) Regulations 2020

Minutes:

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Thursday 24 September for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

 

5.5

Update on current Legislative Consent Memorandums

Minutes:

The Business Committee noted the latest position on LCMs.

 

The Committee agreed to refer the LCM on the Domestic Abuse Bill to the Equality, Local Government and Communities and LJC Committees, with a reporting deadline of 5 November.

 

The Committee also agreed to refer the LCM on the Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No.2) Bill to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills and LJC Committees, with a reporting deadline of 5 November.

 

6.

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2021-22

6.1

Letter from the Chair of the Finance Committee

Minutes:

The Business Committee noted the letter from the Finance Committee and agreed the budget timetable as proposed by the government, while noting that it is possible that it will change once the UK government’s intentions are known.

 

7.

Standing Orders

7.1

Electoral Commission financing and accountability - changes to financial procedures

Minutes:

The Business Committee agreed the draft report, with revised procedures to come into effect once the relevant statutory provisions have come into force. The Committee also agreed that the report be laid by Wednesday 16 September 2020 in order to be considered in Plenary on 23 September 2020.

 

Any Other Business

Timing of Business Committee

The Llywydd raised the issue of the timing of the Business Committee meeting, now that plenary and committees have reverted to the usual structures. Business Managers agreed to move the meeting to Tuesdays  at 9.00am.

Llywydd’s Committee

The Llywydd asked the Conservatives and Plaid Cymru to provide the names of their nominees to the Secretariat by the end of the day on Tuesday.