Meeting Note – 15 September 2026

Bute Park Education Centre

NICW Dr Jen Baxter, Interim Chair Aleena Khan, Commissioner Nick Tune, Commissioner Dr Eurgain Powell, Commissioner Helen Armstrong, Commissioner Programme Office / Welsh Government Stuart Ingram, NICW Programme Office

Apologies None

• Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

• Declarations of Interest

No new declarations received.

• Notes from previous meeting

The notes from the previous meeting were noted and agreed. 

• Feedback and Actions Following Meeting with CMECE on 10/09/26

Commissioners discussed the meeting with the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy on the 10^th September at which he expressed his wish that NICW Commissioners terms be extended to undertake the Plaid Cymru manifesto commitment to investigate digital infrastructure, which includes data centres, artificial intelligence and telecommunications. It was also discussed that this work should be co-produced with Welsh Government policy officials to ensure that any work programme outputs would be useable and implementable going forward.

Commissioners discussed a previous scoping paper which was produced during the summer, following the election, which identified through potential areas of work:

• A Systems Vision for Digital Infrastructure in Wales
• Future-Ready Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure
• AI Infrastructure and Digital Capability for Wales

Commissioners were broadly content with these areas as a starting point. They were mindful that some elements of the work would need to be undertaken more immediately than others, given the pace of change. They also stressed the need for community and stakeholder engagement to a key part of the work. It was also suggested that NICW could undertake visits to AI infrastructure sites in Wales and outside, to see for themselves the issues surrounding developments.

Following the discussion, it was concluded that JB would reflect on the discussions and amend the scoping paper in consultation with Commissioners. Once complete, this would be forwarded to Welsh Government officials to be the starting point for a discussion on NICWs work. From this a programme and timelines could be developed and agreed with WG / CMECE which would form the basis of a new remit for NICW for the next 18 months.

In relation to NICWs wider engagement with the emerging economic development agency work, it was agreed that the Programme Office would seek an earlier meeting with the design group for a discussion on how NICW could help their considerations. It was noted that a letter from the CMECE to the design group, might form the basis for this approach.

It was also noted that NICW should improve its engagement with the Future Generation’s Commissioner. The Chair agreed to write to the Commissioner seeking a meeting with a view to developing that relationship further.

Actions

• JB to adapt digital infrastructure scoping work and circulate with Commissioners
• Programme Office to arrange an initial meeting with WG officials to discuss the paper
• Programme Office to seek a meeting between NICW and the economic agency design group after the CMECE was made his intentions public

• Governance and Administrative Arrangements

It was noted that there is a potential impact of new NICW work programme on the Programme Office resource following the vacancy of the support post. The Programme Office would seek to update Commissioners on this when news is known. It was confirmed that NICW has retained its £400k budget for 2026/27 but noted that this was from the Local Government, Housing and Planning budget and not the Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy budget. Internal Welsh Government conversations around budget and programme office resources are ongoing.

Commissioners reflected that, given the need to undertake the digital work quickly, coupled with the fact there are three posts now vacant and that undertaking a public appointments exercise would divert additional resources away from core NICW work. The possibility of increasing the number of days which Commissioners can undertake each month was raised; increasing Commissioner days to 5 days (from 3) and Chair days to 7 (from 5). It was also noted that Commissioner’s fee rates had not been raised since they were appointed. The Programme Office would take back these notes and give advice to the CMECE as part of his formal decision-making process to extend Commissioners terms.

NICWs communication contract with Equinox was also discussed and the value of continuing that relationship was confirmed. Commissioners also raised the issue of NICWs engagement work and could this be part of a renewed contract. The Programme Office stated that it would have initial discussions with Equinox on what they could offer as part of an extended contract.

Actions

• Programme Office to take advice on Commissioner days and rates
• Programme Office to approach Equinox regarding a contract renewal and possible engagement work.

• Commissioner Updates / Other Work Programme Updates

EP has had a request from TfW to be part of a Welsh Transport Climate Change Adaptation working group. A meeting is to be held on 24^th September. The email would be shared with Commissioners to see if others can attend.

EP has also had an invite to be on the flood forum steering group. Contact was yet to be established on when this would meet.

JB is speaking at the Directors of Wales conference the following week to talk about the work of the Commission.

• Consultation Responses

It was noted that the Senedd Committee work programme consultation responses have been submitted.

Commissioners discussed the draft NDF and rural proofing consultation responses and agreed that they should be submitted to Welsh Government.

• Parameters for future NICW Meetings

It was agreed that NICW meetings would continue to be held on a Friday, once a month, in person (with virtual attendance option) in Cardiff. HA agreed to send her availability so that dates for the next 6 months could be put in the calendar.

Actions

• HA to provide her diary availability for the Friday NICW meetings
• Programme Office to confirm meeting dates and arrangements as soon as possible.

• AOB

None