National Assembly for Wales

Good afternoon. In the absence of the Chair, the first item of business this afternoon is the election of a temporary Chair for committee. I therefore call for nominations for a temporary Chair.

Diolch yn fawr. I therefore declare that David Melding has been appointed temporary Chair for the duration of today's meeting. 

Thank you, everyone. We can now proceed with business. 

Can I just make a couple of routine announcements? We don't expect a routine fire drill, so if we hear the alarm, please follow the instructions of the ushers. These proceedings are conducted in Welsh and English, and when Welsh is spoken there's a translation on channel 1. Channel 0 will amplify proceedings. 

I have apologies from Dafydd Elis-Thomas and Huw Irranca-Davies. I'm delighted to welcome Jayne Bryant as a substitute in this afternoon's meeting. 

Are there any declarations of interest? There aren't usually any. Okay.

Item 2, then, instruments that raise reporting issues. There's just one, the Home Loss Payments (Prescribed Amounts) (Wales) Regulations 2017. There is a merits note on this. Gareth.

These regulations provide for compensation payments for people who lose their homes because of compulsory purchase. The first point to note is that the home loss payments are being increased in Wales, but not as much as they are increased in England. Paragraph 4 of the explanatory memorandum explains that this is because there has been a greater increase in the house price index in England. 

The second point to note is that there has been no formal consultation on these changes, but again, as paragraph 5 of the explanatory memorandum explains, the payments are calculated in accordance with a predetermined formula, so it was felt not necessary to consult. 

Do you have any comments?

I take it we're content with the report, then. Thank you. Thank you, Gareth.

Item 3, then, papers to note. As is usual, we'll return to them in private session, but they are there. Are we content to note, or does anyone want to put something on the record in the public session? Okay. So, we'll return to those in private session. 

I move the relevant Standing Order, that we conduct the rest of the meeting in private, unless any Member objects. I don't see any Member objecting, so we will now meet in private. Please clear the gallery and switch off the broadcasting equipment.