Minutes

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Contact: Aled Elwyn Jones (Clerk) 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies & announcements

2.

Minutes of the previous meeting

Minutes:

The minutes were noted by the Committee for publication.

 

3.

Organisation of Business

3.1

This Week's Business

Minutes:

Business Managers noted that voting on all items of business other than Stage 3 would take place before Stage 3 proceedings begin on Tuesday, and that all votes in relation to the Higher Education (Wales) Bill would take place during Stage 3 proceedings.

 

The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that she intended to suspend proceeding for a ten minute break before Stage 3 proceedings begin, and that the item had been scheduled for 2.5 hours.

 

On Wednesday, Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would 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 business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

 

Wednesday 11 February 2015

 

·         Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

4.

Legislation

4.1

Renting Homes (Wales) Bill

Minutes:

Business Managers agreed in principle to refer the Renting Homes (Wales) Bill to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee for Stage 1 consideration.

 

Business Managers agreed to defer a decision on the Bill’s timetable until next week to allow for consultation with the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.

4.2

Local Government (Wales) Bill

Minutes:

Business Managers confirmed their in principle decision of 9 December to refer the Local Government (Wales) Bill to the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee for Stage 1 consideration, and agreed the deadline for the Stage 1 Committee to report by as 8 May 2015 and the deadline for the completion of Stage 2 Committee proceedings as 3 July 2015.

4.3

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No.2) on the Serious Crime Bill

Minutes:

Business Committee considered a paper from the government regarding a Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum (Memorandum No. 2) in relation to the Serious Crime Bill.

 

The Minister for Government Business informed the Committee that the Bill is at a late stage in its progress through Parliament. Due to the time constraints, Business Managers agreed to note the SLCM, and that it should not be referred to an Assembly committee for scrutiny. The Legislative Consent Motion in relation to these provisions is scheduled for debate in Plenary on 28 January 2015.

5.

Standing Orders

5.1

Consent to Changes to Assembly Functions

Minutes:

Business Committee considered a paper from the Secretariat regarding changes to Standing Orders as recommended by the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee requiring an LCM for changes to the Assembly’s functions.

 

The Minister noted that the Government had some concerns that there were no exceptions for a requirement to lay a written statement before the Assembly in relation to any provision in a UK Bill which modifies the functions of the Assembly or the Assembly Commission. The Minister indicated that she would circulate a note to Business Managers before the matter is discussed in Committee again.

 

Business Managers agreed to consult their groups on the proposals and to consider the matter further at the Business Committee meeting on 3 February 2015.

Any Other Business

Registering and Declaring Interests

 

At its meeting of 9 December 2014, Business Managers agreed to consult with their groups on the proposals to amend Standing Orders in relation to the Registration and Declaration of Members’ Interests and Membership of the Standards of Conduct Committee, and to consider the matter further at today’s meeting.

 

Party Groups have all been given the option to meet with the Standards Commissioner to seek advice on the proposed changes and to discuss any issues that Members may have regarding the proposed changes. The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that further discussion of the item has been postponed to a future meeting to allow time for those meetings to take place.

 

Laying of Regulations

 

Elin Jones asked how Members are informed when the Government lays regulations subject to the negative resolution procedure. Siân Wilkins will explore the matter and look into solutions.

 

LCM Deregulation Bill

 

The Minister made Members aware that she is still expecting a late amendment to be tabled to the Deregulation Bill concerning housing that will require an LCM with very little or no time for committee scrutiny.

 

Written Assembly Questions

 

Paul Davies raised a matter relating to the tabling of Written Assembly Questions during Christmas recess – something he has written to the Presiding Officer about. The Presiding Officer stated that she would respond to his letter in due course, but reminded Business Managers that tabling arrangements over recesses are agreed by the Business Committee.