Committee chair Russell George (Montgomeryshire), external presents the report, external, which has 19 recommendations.

One of the recommendations is that the Welsh Government/Transport for Wales (TfW) must "ensure that there is sufficient incentive in the final contract for the operator to innovate, invest in and to work hard to grow passenger numbers to meet the anticipated growth in demand over the lifetime of the franchise".

We move on to a debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee report: On the right track? The Rail Franchise and South Wales Metro.

Four companies have been shortlisted to run the metro and also take over the Wales and Borders franchise, currently run by Arriva Trains Wales.

A contract will be awarded in early 2018.

Rail companies will be able to bid for the next Wales and Borders franchise this week, BBC Wales understands.

The tender was postponed from August with the Welsh and UK governments blaming each other for delays.

Image source, WELSH GOVERNMENT

AMs endorse the recommendation in the report that a breach of the Code of Conduct has been found and that Neil McEvoy should be censured.

Mr McEvoy apologises for discussing his party's council election campaign at a press conference in the Senedd building.

He says he accepts that he was in breach of the AM's code of conduct.

We move on to a debate on the Standards of Conduct Committee's Report 01-17, external, after a Plaid Cymru AM discussed his party's council election campaign at a press conference in the Senedd building.

AMs are not meant to use assembly facilities for party-political campaigning.

But in March, South Wales Central AM Neil McEvoy discussed the campaign at a press conference held in an assembly briefing room.

Mr McEvoy accepted that he was in breach of the AM's code of conduct.

The standards committee has recommended to the assembly that Mr McEvoy be censured for the breach - a formal reprimand.

Their conclusion follows an investigation by the standards commissioner Sir Roderick Evans who said Mr McEvoy "failed to comply" with the rules on 14 March.

The press conference was held while Mr McEvoy was suspended from his party group in March - a suspension that was later lifted, and last week reinstated.

AMs approve the motion to amend the Standing Order relating to the Secretary of State’s participation in proceedings.

So from now on, Alun Cairns and his successors do not have a general right to participate in plenary proceedings, but may do so at the Llywydd’s invitation.

AMs are now considering a motion to amend Standing Orders in relation to the Wales Act 2017 and the Secretary of State for Wales.

Standing Order 13.3 states that: "The Secretary of State for Wales is entitled to participate in plenary meetings but not to vote. The Presiding Officer may call the Secretary of State to speak in any debate in which the Secretary of State is participating".

The Business Committee proposes that the Secretary of State’s participation in Plenary be addressed via a new general provision that people other than Members may participate in Plenary proceedings at the Llywydd’s invitation.

They explain that "such a provision would allow the Secretary of State to participate in proceedings if invited, like anyone else, while removing their general right to do so.

"It is proposed that such participation would be for a specific purpose at the invitation of the Llywydd, following consultation with Business Committee, and would not include voting."

The next item is the 90 Second Statements, which can be used to raise any subject of concern.

The agenda item is allocated 5 minutes in total, which allows a maximum of three Members to make statements each week, which are selected beforehand by the Llywydd.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates says "it would not appropriate to comment on this case but we will be tracking developments in readiness for the transfer of responsibility for licensing which is expected in early 2018".

The only topical question today is by Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central), external: In light of Transport for London’s decision to revoke Uber’s private hire operator licence, will the Cabinet Secretary outline the Welsh Government’s position on the firm’s presence in Wales?

Transport for London's (TfL) concerns include Uber's approach to carrying out background checks on drivers and reporting serious criminal offences.

• What does London's Uber ban mean?
• Seven things people will miss if Uber goes
• Your views: Uber London loses licence
• Women's safety fears over Uber licence

Uber's licence is due to expire on 30 September.

We move on to Topical Questions which must relate to a matter of national, regional or local significance where an expedited Ministerial response is desirable.

This is the first opportunity since the summer recess to ask questions to the Assembly Commission, but no questions have been tabled.

Conservative Darren Millar reminds the cabinet secretary that deals for human resources services at a Welsh health board have been referred to the NHS fraud watchdog.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board was criticised for "potentially unlawful contracts" in a Wales Audit Office report in July.

The referral to the NHS Counter Fraud Service is separate to a referral of two unrelated contracts, revealed in an assembly committee inquiry.

Mr Millar seeks reassurance that "the taxpayer is not being ripped-off".

Mr Drakeford says "fraud is corrosive of public trust" and adds the Welsh Government takes the issue very seriously, is "bearing down" on fraud and constantly learning lessons from fraud cases.

Mr Drakeford announces the local government settlement will be published on October 10th.

Plaid Cymru's Adam Price asks whether it is Welsh Government policy to "bring the existing PFI contracts back in-house and therefore back on the Welsh Government's balance sheet in the event of the election of a Labour Government in Westminster?"

Mr Drakeford says: "We are open to keeping under continual review whether those arrangements could be improved and a better deal secured for the taxpayer."

UKIP's Neil Hamilton asks about the use of PFI contracts in Wales. He says the total value of PFI contracts related to the Welsh Government is £565 million.

He asks the Welsh Government to consider the possibility of "re-financing this on a more cost-effective basis".

Mr Drakeford says "in the devolution era we have not signed up to new PFI deals.

"There are 23 historic PFI deals which pre-date devolution, only two of which the Welsh Government is directly responsible for."

Mr Drakeford tells Conservative Nick Ramsay he will have to wait until next week's draft budget to hear the rates and bands for the Landfill Disposal Tax and Land Transaction Tax.

Mr Drakeford says the code of practice will be monitored through annual reporting by public bodies, and considered by the Workforce Partnership Council.

The first question is by Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore):, external Will the Cabinet Secretary explain how he intends to assess the implementation of the code of practice for ethical employment in supply chains in the Welsh public sector?

All organisations that receive funding from Welsh Government, either directly or via grants or contracts, will be expected to sign up to the code, external. Other organisations in Wales are encouraged to sign up.

Image source, Alamy

Good afternoon.

Plenary begins today with Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Mark Drakeford.