Agenda and minutes

Sian Gwenllian sent her apologies for today’s meeting; Dai Lloyd attended in her place.

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

Business Managers noted the government’s changes and welcomed the approach of focussing on the coronavirus. Business Managers decided to close the public galleries, as the Assembly could carry on meeting in public through broadcasting and the record.

Business Managers agreed to postpone all non-government business tomorrow aside from Topical Questions.

Tuesday

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

Wednesday

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

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 Managers agreed to postpone all non-government business aside Topical Questions for the next three sitting weeks.

As Business Managers agreed to postpone all business aside from Topical Questions, there will be no Member Debate.

Business Managers agreed that they would write to the Children, Young People and Education Committee to make them aware that the Bill will be referred to them, and that they should consider what timetable might be possible in the current circumstances.

Business Managers noted the letter and agreed the proposed timetable for the Bus Services (Wales) Bill with a reporting deadline for Stage 1 of 13 July and for Stage 2 of 16 October 2020. Business Managers noted the high probability that this timetable would also need to change.

Subject to a general steer for committees to focus on essential business, Business Managers agreed that the LJC Committee could meet outside its usual slot to facilitate evidence from Ministers.

Business Managers agreed the draft report on amending Standing Orders. They also agreed to suspend Standing Orders to allow for a motion to agree the Standing Order changes tomorrow, with the changes coming into effect on Wednesday 6 May 2020.

Business Managers agreed that for the foreseeable future committees should focus on essential business. They also agreed that the Business Committee should meet again tomorrow to consider options for arranging and scheduling business over the coming weeks.