Agenda and minutes

This Week’s Business

The Trefnydd drew Business Managers’ attention to the changes to Tuesday’s agenda – two statements will now be issued as written statements, to make way for a debate on the Coronavirus ‘fire break’, for which a suspension of Standing Orders is required.

Guidance for hybrid plenary

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that revised guidance for hybrid plenary will be circulated, following her ruling last week that Members should refrain from using promotional material as backgrounds in Zoom.

Voting – oral declarations

The Llywydd asked Business Managers to remind Members that voting orally is designed only as an emergency fallback in the event of a Member experiencing unexpected problems with the voting app. Members should join from a location and device that will enable them to use the app.

Changes to groups

The Llywydd informed Business Managers that she is considering the request from three Members to form an Independent Alliance for Reform Group. The Brexit Party group no longer exists.

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

Tuesday 3 November 2020

·         The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No.2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No. 19) Regulations 2020 (30 mins)

·         Debate: Statutory Instrument Consent Memorandum on The European Union Withdrawal (Consequential Modifications) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (15 mins)

Tuesday 10 November 2020

·         Statement by the First Minister: Delivering the International Strategy (45 mins) - Postponed

·         Statement by the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government: Marking Remembrance and continuing our support for the Armed Forces community (45 mins) - Withdrawn

·         LCM on the Domestic Abuse Bill (15 mins) - Postponed

·         Debate: Stage 3 on the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill (180 360 mins)

The Trefnydd also informed Business Managers that she will be proposing that the debate on the Internal Market Bill LCM takes place on 24 November 2020.

Business Committee agreed to remove the Brexit Party group debate scheduled for Wednesday 4 November and to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 18 November 2020 –

• Debate on the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Report: The impact of COVID-19 on heritage, museums and archives (30 mins)
• Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

Business Committee agreed that, as the first week of plenary business after half-term is during the second week of the Coronavirus ‘fire break’ (3 and 4 November), proceedings would be held virtually (i.e. with all Members participating on Zoom). Business would be limited to time critical matters where possible, with votes where necessary. The government would review business scheduled for 3 November, with changes made after the BSA has been published.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) (Amendment) (No.19) Regulations 2020

The Business Committee agreed to set a reporting deadline of Monday 2 November for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

deadline of Monday 2 November for the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to report on the regulations.

Letter from the Chair of the Finance Committee

Business Committee agreed to an extended meeting for the Finance Committee during week commencing 11 January 2021. This will be incorporated into the committee timetable for the spring term that Business Committee will consider after half term.

Changes to Standing Orders: Suspension of proceedings before remote electronic votes

Business Committee agreed the draft report and to table a motion to revise Standing Orders for debate in Plenary on Wednesday 4 November.

Any other Selection of Amendments

Business Managers agreed the revised guidance, subject to the changes agreed to the draft in relation to time management and support.

Health Committee meeting this week

Business Committee agreed that the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee could meet on Friday morning this week should it wish to do so, in order to discuss new Coronavirus measures with the Health Minister, the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser.