[Mike Gapes in the Chair]

I have a few preliminary announcements. Please switch all electronic devices to silent. Tea and coffee are not allowed during sittings.

Even if it is cold?

Even if it is cold, I am afraid. Sorry about that.

We will first consider the programme motion, which is on the amendment paper. We will then consider a motion to enable the reporting of written evidence for publication and a motion to allow us to deliberate in private about our questions before the oral evidence sessions. In view of the short time available, I hope that we can take those matters formally without debate.

Ordered,

That—

(1) the Committee shall (in addition to its first meeting at 9.25am on Tuesday 31 January) meet—

(a) at 2.00pm on Tuesday 31 January;

(b) at 11.30am and 2.00pm on Thursday 2 February;

(c) at 9.25am and 2.00pm on Tuesday 7 February;

(d) at 11.30am and 2.00pm on Thursday 9 February;

(e) at 9.25am and 2.00pm on Tuesday 21 February;

(2) the Committee shall hear oral evidence in accordance with the following Table:

Date

Time

Witness

Tuesday 31 January

Until no later than 10.15am

Department for Communities and Local Government

Tuesday 31 January

Until no later than 10.45am

Local Government Association; Core Cities

Tuesday 31 January

Until no later than 11.25am

District Councils’ Network; County Councils Network; London Councils

Tuesday 31 January

Until no later than 3.00pm

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy; British Chambers of Commerce; Federation of Small Businesses; Society of Local Authority Chief Executives

Tuesday 31 January

Until no later than 3.45pm

Association of Convenience Stores; Professor Tony Travers, London School of Economics

(3) proceedings on consideration of the Bill in Committee shall be taken in the following order: Clause 1; Schedule 1; Clauses 2 to 6; Schedule 2; Clauses 7 and 8; Schedule 3;

(4) the proceedings on the Bill shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at 5.00pm on Tuesday 21 February.

The deadline for amendments to be considered at the Committee’s first line-by-line sitting was the rise of the House yesterday. The next deadline will be the rise of the House on Thursday for the Committee’s meetings a week today.

Resolved,

That, subject to the discretion of the Chair, any written evidence received by the Committee shall be reported to the House for publication.—(Mr Marcus Jones)

Copies of written evidence that the Committee receives will be made available in the Committee room.

Resolved,

That, at this and any subsequent meeting at which oral evidence is to be heard, the Committee shall sit in private until the witnesses are admitted.—(Mr Marcus Jones)

We will now go into private session briefly to discuss lines of questioning.

The Committee deliberated in private.