Attendees

NICW

Dr David Clubb, Chair

Dr Jen Baxter, Deputy Chair

Helen Armstrong, Commissioner

Dr Eurgain Powell, Commissioner

Steve Brooks, Commissioner

Eluned Parrott Commissioner

Aleena Khan, Commissioner

Nick Tune, Commissioner

Secretariat/Welsh Government
Stuart Ingram, NICW Secretariat

School of International Futures
Andrew Curry (item on Futures

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.  

Declarations of Interest

The Deputy Chair has stepped down from her role on the Board of Newport City  Homes and taken up a new position on the board of Cynon Taff Community Housing Group. 

Steve Brooks will update his details due to a change in his partner’s employment.

The Deputy chair highlighted a possible conflict with her new role on the First Ministers off shore task and finish group.  The chair felt there was no conflict as NICW has already completed their work on renewables, but they will discuss in more detail outwith the meeting The Chair has had funding in principle agreed for an innovation project with Dwr Cymru, but it has not yet been confirmed.

Safety Moment

The Chair described a recent incident of sending an email to the wrong person due to the auto complete function. Managing contact lists was discussed.

Values

The Chair proposed the reminder of values is done quarterly rather than every meeting.  All agreed with the suggestion.

Housekeeping

Notes of Previous Meeting

Minutes of previous meeting were approved. 

Secretariat Report

The Secretariat report was noted.

Values

The Chair proposed the reminder of values is done quarterly rather than every meeting.  All agreed with the suggestion.

Invitations to Events

The Deputy Chair will attend the MPA Welsh Lunch event in March.  Eluned Parrot and Eurgain Powell will attend a flood risk event in Pontypridd hosted by Heledd Fychan MS.  Steve Brooks will attend a Citizens Panel event in Blaenau Gwent.

Communications Strategy

It was agreed a separate session was required to review the documents submitted by Equinox and wider communication approaches. 

Action

Arrange Comms Strategy session: secretariat

Futures Mapping Project – January 2025

Andrew Curry of SOIF joined the meeting.  He updated Commissioners about the workshop planned for 31 January.  Commissioners asked questions about the event , including about the use of scenarios and facilitation.  Aleena Khan is to help facilitate the event.

Future Work Programme Updates

Year 1 Renewable Energy Report

Use of soft power such as influencing others and developing a media package to keep the focus on renewables were suggested as ways to continue highlighting the work.  The importance of WG developing a clear vision for future energy was noted.

Year 2 Flood Research

The focus of the discussion was on the need to engage Senedd members on the report.  A briefing session for Senedd members and researchers was suggested. The Chair thought he had emailed the report to all Senedd Members but will check (since confirmed, 11 Dec 2024)

Year 3 Climate Change Communication

Resilience

Steve Brooks updated the group on the status of the draft report and a planned workshop on 11 February.

Communities

Helen Armstrong updated the group and asked about arranging a session with the community groups and the wider NICW members on 18 February. She also highlighted some thoughts about outputs and the final report from the consultants.  She broached the possibility of developing an additional toolkit which could focus on peer-to-peer learning from the community groups. 

Year 4 Infrastructure Assessment

A specification has been circulated for final comment before issue on 3 February.  The chair asked for volunteers to indicate if they wished to become involved in the procurement and management of the project.  Jen Baxter and Nick Tune agreed to become closely involved.  The Secretariat set out the timetable to ensure the project could begin on 1 April. 

Action:

Confirm if flood report sent to Senedd members: Chair

Discuss holding a briefing event for the Senedd with Equinox: Secretariat

Confirm 18 Feb meeting with SOIF re Resilient Communities: Secretariat

Arrange procurement panel for year 4 bids: Secretariat

General Updates

NICW Review

The final report has been circulated to Commissioners.  The general consensus is the review is fair, and the recommendation about the need for a strategy is noted.  Stuart Ingram spoke about the next seps and Commissioners noted the report is officially an internal document for Welsh Government and the Cabinet Secretary will formally write to the Commission and will also make public by sending to the CCEI Committee.  Commissioners will consider whether to respond to the Cabinet Secretary or alternatively write a blog post on their response to the recommendations.

Nature on NICW

The Chair updated commissioners on his discussion with Simeon Rose about creating a position for Nature to be represented on NICW.  Simeon will draft a briefing paper and a meeting with commissioners will be arranged in February.  Eurgain Powell suggested bringing this initiative to the attention of the Future Generations Commissioner

Action

Contact FGC’s office to discuss NICW plan to bring Nature on Board: Chair

Commissioner Annual Review

The Chair has had conversations with three Commissioners on the performance of NICW over the last year. The Deputy Chair will contact the remaining commissioners to discuss their perspectives on the last year.

AOB

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