Attendees

NICW

Dr Jenifer Baxter, Deputy Chair

Dr Eurgain Powell, Commissioner

Steve Brooks, Commissioner

Eluned Parrott Commissioner

Helen Armstrong, Commissioner

Nick Tune, Commissioner

Secretariat/Welsh Government

Stuart Ingram, NICW Secretariat

Nicola Britton, NICW Secretariat

Apologies

Dr David Clubb, Chair

Aleena Khan, Commissioner

Welcome and declarations of interest

The Deputy Chair welcomed Commissioners to the meeting with a check-in and celebration of success.

Housekeeping

Notes of Previous Meeting

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Work Programme and Budget Report Discussion

The Work Programme report and budget report was circulated to Commissioners in advance.  The following specific areas were discussed in relation to the report:

Year 1 – Renewable Energy

The deputy chair reported back on a meeting with the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO).  Some concerns were expressed about the organisation role in the UK energy sector, primarily in relation to devolution and influence, however continued engagement with the organisation was considered helpful in ensuring NICW recommendations are part of the future agenda for UK energy.

Year 2 – Flooding

The Welsh Government’s official response to the report was discussed.  The annual scrutiny report from the CCEI committee which highlighted Welsh Ministers’ hesitation in addressing recommendations from NICW was mentioned as being relevant. 

A further meeting to discuss and draft a response is to be arranged, with Eurgain Powell leading.  Stuart Ingram will follow up suggestions of a meeting with the Deputy First Minister.  Commissioners discussed options for briefing Senedd members while ensuring their role remains informative.

Year 3 – Climate Conversations

See later agenda item

Year 4 Infrastructure Assessment

An inception meeting was held with Arcadis and the inception report is expected in the next week.

Transport Futures

Report was noted .

Action:

Arrange meeting to consider response to flood report letter: Secretariat

Risk Register

Reputational risk was discussed.  The importance of clear communication, especially where Commissioners are not in agreement was discussed.  The discussion turned to the legacy of the current commission and an impact report was identified as part of the annual/end of term report. 

The current concern, highlighted by the CCEI report, is that the Welsh Government may perceive NICW as a lobbying group rather than as independent advisers. Formalising early meetings with senior officials in the Welsh Government as part of future terms of reference was  identified as critical to ensure NICW’s research is seen as adding value to the policy development landscape.

NICW Communications Support

Steve Brooks will produce a summary covering the main points of the communication strategy.  It was noted the contract with equinox has ended and consideration needs to be given if a comms support contract is needed.

Nature on NICW

The chair will continue to lobby Welsh Government on this issue. commissioners are supportive of a nature representative being procured to test the concept. 

Climate Communication Report (Year 3)

Steve Brooks and Helen Armstrong explained the next step is developing recommendations and drafting a NICW report now that the work from ARUP and SOIF is complete.  A timetable to produce a NICW report by September was noted.  Steve and Helen will be meeting with the secretariat bi weekly and are happy for other commissioners to get involved in the process.

Year 4 ‘mini’ projects

The Secretariat noted funding availability of £75k for additional projects in 2025/26.  Commissioners revisited the three overarching themes of skills, planning and futures.  Through discussion, building on the Deputy Chairs idea of upfront due diligence for big projects, commissioners concluded one project specification to learn from past projects (eg Swansea Bay Barrage) and the trade-offs  involved in delivering within the context of the Future Generations Act would be worked up

Action

Work up a proposal for a year 4 mini project: Secretariat

Budget and Operational Plan

Stuart Ingram introduced this topic explaining a work plan for 25/26 was almost complete with a few outstanding matter such as topics for mini projects (see prev item), and site visits in June and November.  It was agreed to move the June visit to July and explore a visit to NE Wales to look at hydrogen as an energy source.  A visit based around Cardiff and the South East Wales Valleys would be planned for November.

AOB

The Secretariat will look at future meeting dates to accommodate commissioners commitments.