Meeting Note 27 February 2026
| NICW Dr David Clubb, Chair Dr Jenifer Baxter, Deputy Chair Aleena Khan, Commissioner Helen Armstrong, Commissioner Nick Tune, Commissioner Dr Eurgain Powell, Commissioner Eluned Parrott, Commissioner Elspeth Jones, NICW Nature Guardian Programme Office / Welsh Government Stuart Ingram, NICW Programme Office Nicola Britton, NICW Programme Office |
- Welcome
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
- Declarations of Interest
Aleena Khan has been appointed to the board of the Grange Pavilion.
- Notes from previous meeting
The notes from the previous meeting were agreed, unchanged.
- Invitations to events
- Eurgain Powell spoke at a Wildlife Trusts UK seminar on water.
- Aleena Khan has been representing NICW at a Cardiff University rural transport forum
- The Chair offered an invitation to the Launch of ‘Meaningful Consultation’ about infrastructure consenting happening the following week
Action
Send public links about forum to the Chair: Aleena Khan
- Risk register: risk of the month – political risk
Reflection on the forthcoming Senedd election and the political uncertainty. It was agreed to arrange a meeting in April to discuss in more depth
Action
Arrange meeting about political uncertainty: Secretariat.
- Water green paper
Commissioners discussed the paper prepared by the chair. The wide-ranging discussion focused on NICW’s position, and the implications for 2026/27 work programme. A commitment to respond to the official consultation was noted. There was a consensus that water is a good fit for future work from NICW. A proposal will be worked up to be presented to the new government, taking account of feedback from the March infrastructure event.
Action
Arrange meeting to finalise response to green paper: Secretariat
Consideration to be given to developing a project on water for commissioning in June: All
- Work Programme
Year 1 Renewable Energy Report
No more work is progressing on this until after the election. This will be picked up again once a new Government in place. It was noted Plaid Cymru have promoted community energy support in their manifesto pre-launch document (1st 100 days)
Year 2 Flooding
The continued relevance of the report was noted , for example Eurgain Powell did a piece on Radio Cymru about the Ynysybwl purchase by RCT. It was also noted an official Government statement is expected by the end of March. Commissioners continue to identify opportunities to highlight the work and recommendations.
Action
Draft a letter to the Chair of NRW about our work: Eurgain Powell
Draft a blog post about the purchase of Clydach Terrace: Eluned Parrott
Year 3 Climate Change Adaptation Communication
The legacy work is ongoing, with a report anticipated by next meeting. The Welsh Government response to the report is expected by the end of March.
Year 4 – Infrastructure Assessment
Year 4 – Infrastructure Delivery Research
Both projects have been finalised and will be publicised at the Infrastructure Event on 23 March. To complement this the Deputy chair agreed to draft a blog post about both projects.
Action
Draft a blog post: Deputy Chair
Infrastructure Symposium – 23rd March 2026
This event is being co-ordinated by Cazbah. Discussion focussed on attendees, especially suggestions for discussion panel members.
- Commissioner Updates
The letter from the CCEI Committee, following the formal scrutiny session was discussed
- Forward work programme
Building on feedback from the Committee and the reflections day there was a discussion about KPIs.
Action
draft a set of KPIs for comment by next meeting: Chair
- NoTB – next steps?
There was wide ranging discussion about how NICW can build on the pilot.
Suggestion included
- pay for a Nature Guardian to act on secondment to a public body in Wales relevant to infrastructure and housing sector
- develop or fund a resource, to support Nature Guardians in Wales
- develop or fund a body to conduct advocacy on Nature Guardian in Welsh public bodies.
Action:
Consult public bodies about hosting a NICW seconded Nature Guardian on their boards: Chair
Action: Contact Elspeth and Lawyers for Nature about a follow-on project: Chair
AOB
There was a discussion around Aberystwyth University proposed project on infrastructure. The chair will write offering support and ask for clarity about the impact of the project.
The next meeting will take place in Aberdare Hall on 27 March 2026.