Meeting Note – 25 June 2026
Online Meeting
| NICW Dr David Clubb, Chair Dr Jen Baxter, Deputy Chair Aleena Khan, Commissioner Nick Tune, Commissioner Dr Eurgain Powell, Commissioner Helen Armstrong, Commissioner Programme Office / Welsh Government Stuart Ingram, NICW Programme Office Nicola Britton, NICW Programme Office | Apologies None |
- Welcome
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
- Notes and Actions from previous meetings
The notes were accepted with minor correction. As a follow up to writing to the Minister regarding the flood report a copy of the letter will be shared with the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee for Wales (FCEC). EP will also use the upcoming water webinar to connect with the UK CCC on NICWs flood report recommendations. It was agreed a blog post about infrastructure delivery was not necessary at this time.
- Commissioner Updates
The Chair and Deputy Chair have met with the Director of Local Government & Planning (RK). They discussed the new Welsh Government administration’s focus on its first 100 days in office and the implications this was likely to have for policy development, public appointments and the Commission’s future work programme. It was agreed that NICW would focus on the project brief for AI research.
Commissioners discussed other outcomes from the meeting including Potential partners for the AI project. The Commission also agreed to defer writing to the flood policy team regarding its recommendations until the Programme for Government has been published. The Commission agreed that early and ongoing engagement with relevant policy officials should underpin its future approach to project development. RK offered regular SCS engagement for NICW.
Commissioners discussed refreshing the key messages from existing reports, and it was agreed that project leads would prepare briefing notes for the new administration.
HA reported attending an adaptation event at Cardiff University, which was well attended by Welsh Government officials and representatives from a range of other organisations, providing a valuable networking opportunity. She also noted being interviewed by Ipsos as part of its work on the Just Transition. The recent heatwave was noted as an example of adaptation requiring more attention.
EP attended a Water Resources West webinar.
JB reported speaking at Unplugged event in Cardiff on AI and datacentres.
DC updated that he will be part of an expert panel supporting the IWA which is working for Future Generations office on renewable energy – section 20 review.
Actions
Arrange meeting for Commissioners to discuss AI infrastructure project: Programme office
Prepare briefing notes for each report – Commissioners/Project Leads
Send Arcadis water report and NICWs flood report to Water Resources West: Programme Office
- Work Programme
Commissioners discussed potential work areas, which included:
- Green paper on water reform
- AI and infrastructure (as discussed above)
- Wind energy – developers highlighting planning issues
- Virtual Power Plants and off grid development potential
- Future Proofing infrastructure e.g. ducting by default in linear infrastructure?
- Importance of maps and data – small projects or blog on why and what
- Skills, especially retraining in later life
The merits of one large project versus several smaller but focused was discussed
DC talked about a meeting with Adam Taylor who sits on several Boards, about the potential for a nature on the board Committee to sit under NICW. Commissioners endorsed this idea.
Action
Research into the potential for a project on virtual power plants or off grid communities: JB
Blog post on future proofing (ducting): DC
Set up meeting with Adam Taylor: Programme Office
AOB – The Chair and Deputy chair noted they are looking at options for handover of social media apps.