Meeting notes 22nd October 2024
Bute Park Education Centre
Attendees
NICW
NICW
Dr David Clubb, Chair
Dr Jenifer Baxter, Deputy Chair
Helen Armstrong, Commissioner
Aleena Khan, Commissioner
Nick Tune, Commissioner
Eluned Parrott, Commissioner
Secretariat/Welsh Government
Stuart Ingram, NICW Secretariat
Apologies
Dr Eurgain Powell, Commissioner
Steve Brooks, Commissioner
Welcome and declarations of interest.
The Chair welcomed Commissioners to the meeting with a check-in, celebration of success, declarations of interest, safety and futures moment.
Safety Moment
The recent train collision in Mid Wales was discussed.
It was also discussed about the need for board members to be able to make difficult decisions and encouraging an awareness of being a board member actually means.
Futures Moment
Jenifer Baxter report she had recently met Michael Sheen who was really encouraging about the NICW Future Essay’s project and how it can bring arts and infrastructure together.
Declarations of Interest
No new declarations were received.
Housekeeping
Action Tracker
The action tracker was noted. This would be discontinued as actions are recorded within meeting notes and generally resolved quickly.
Notes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of previous meeting were approved.
Secretariat Report
The Secretariat report was noted.
Invitations to Events
On the 28th November, David Clubb will be participating in ICE and CBI events. Jenifer Baxter is also attending the CBI event.
None given
Consultation responses/ policy updates
None
Consultation responses/ policy updates
None
Future Work Programme Updates
Year 1 Renewable Energy Report
A meeting with Rebecca Evans is in diaries for 16th December. A pre meeting to that will be held between relevant Commissioners. David Clubb will email WG officials ahead of the meeting asking for an update on the National Energy Plan. DC to email Community Energy Wales to ask for an update.
Year 2 Flood Research
A successful launch event was held on 17th October. There was good communications and engagement held around the publication of the report. A pre-meet with the Deputy First Minister had also been encouraging and positive. David Clubb will write to WG Officials requesting a separate meeting to discuss how the report will be handled.
Year 3 Climate Change Communication
The Engaging Communities project has held its first Project Reference Group. The inception report has been agreed. 3 anchor community organisations will be used to facilitate engagement in Grangetown.
The Resilient Infrastructure project will hold its first Project Reference Group next week.
The 2 consultants are meeting regularly to liaise on progress and findings.
IWL Conference
NICW have committed to being a sponsor of this event and can send 4 delegates. David Clubb, Jenifer Baxter, Aleena Khan and Helen Armstrong expressed an interest in attending.
Futures Map
Inception meeting has been held and stakeholders are currently being scoped for invitation. Additional suggestions were made for potential invites, particularly from young people / younger professionals. These would be passed on to SOIF.
Actions:
DC to write to WG Officials on Energy and Flooding (separately). DC to ask Community Energy Wales for an update on the sector.
Aleena Khan and Helen Armstrong to confirm their attendance at the Skills Conference.
David Clubb / Nick Tune to pass on additional ideas for stakeholders for Futures Event to SOIF
Year 4 Topic Discussions
Further discussion on the Year 4 topics was held. It was concluded that a project around infrastructure long term futures but additionally linked to an assessment of current infrastructure issues leading to ‘asks’ of the new Welsh Government in 2026 and a future NICW work programme.
Action:
David Clubb / Secretariat to consider scoping this out further and will report to future meetings / the NICW away day
NICW Review
It was noted that 2 Commissioner questionnaires were outstanding, but this is being resolved. It was report that the review is a little behind schedule due to resource issues. Stakeholders will be surveyed shortly. The Secretariat is due to meet Internal Audit colleagues for an update soon.
NICW Strategy
This has been published on the NICW website.
Commissioner Review and Succession Planning
Advice will be going to the Cabinet Secretary shortly on the Commissioner reviews and extending terms of service. It was noted that any public appointments process for new Commissioners would need to commence in early 2025 in order to meet the timescales involved.
Commissioner Meeting Schedule
It was concluded that NICW meetings would change to Friday mornings from January 2025
Action:
Secretariat to move meeting times and arrange accommodation etc.
Annual Report / NICW Away Day / Comms Workshop
It was agreed that the NICW Away Day would take place on Friday 6th December, preferably in Cardiff Bay. Annual report video filming would also take place that day.
Action:
Secretariat to make arrangements for the away day and liaise with Equinox and video producers to co-ordinate the day.
Future Site Visit Plans
The next NICW meeting will take place during the site visit to Bannau Brycheiniog which is confirmed on the 21st / 22nd November. The site visit will include a dinner with local stakeholders, a visit to a farm to witness natural flood management techniques and an opportunity to witness / take part in engagement with young people of futures thinking.
AOB
None