National Infrastructure Commission for Wales meeting notes: 18 June 2024

NICW

Dr David Clubb, Chair 
Jenifer Baxter Deputy Chair
Helen Armstrong, Commissioner 
Aleena Khan, Commissioner 

Secretariat / Welsh Government

Stuart Ingram, NICW Secretariat

Apologies

Eurgain Powell, Commissioner 
Nick Tune, Commissioner  
Eluned Parrott, Commissioner 
Steve Brooks, Commissioner

The Chair welcomed Commissioners to the meeting with a check-in, celebration of success, declarations of interest, safety and futures moment. 

Aleena Khan was congratulated for being awarded the Future Leaders Award by Constructing Excellence in Wales. Aleena thanked Commissioners for their support. 

In terms of the safety moment, Aleena Khan gave an example where a contracting firm had higher safety standards than a contractor which resulted in the pause of a contract to demonstrate compliance to the values of an organisation. 

Futures Moment

The Chair highlighted the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language’s encouragement to take a Futures perspective in policy consideration. 

Declarations of Interest

None

The action tracker was noted and updated.  Jenifer Baxter is to produce a scope of work for a mini project on alternative infrastructure provision. 

Minutes of previous meeting were approved.

The Secretariat report was noted.

Invitations

The Chair is attending an ICE event during London Climate Week. 

Jenifer Baxter has been offered to speak at the Waterfront Infrastructure Conference. The Chair said his preferred position would be not to attend this commercial event with no direct benefit to NICW. 

Commissioner Updates

David Clubb updated on his Grid meeting with Welsh Government and other stakeholders. Terms of Reference has been agreed. Noted that industry bodies are not represented on the group. Others (including Grid companies) were missing due to pre-election period. 

Discussion on grid issues followed including a way forward for NICW on this. 

None

a. Year 1 Renewable Energy Report

Commissioners met with Jeremy Miles MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language that morning. The meeting was positive but it was noted that the detail in the report had not been looked at. NICW will be responding to Welsh Government w/c 25^th June 2024. 

b. Year 2 Flood Research

A workshop had been held on 7^th June. A report from Arup on this event is due soon. It was felt the workshop was positive. A meeting is in diaries with Commissioners to discuss next steps in the drafting of the report. 

c. Year 3 Climate Change Communication

Project work programme document has been updated following feedback at the last meeting. Chair and Deputy Chair will be reviewing this following the meeting. Noted Steve Brook’s feedback was still required. Proceeding to procurement once funding will be confirmed. 

d. IWA Infrastructure Futures Essay Collection

These have now been received and will be published weekly over June / July. 

e. Futures Map

Procurement of this project will be begin soon, once funding is confirmed. 

f. IWL Conference

Conference has been organised for 13^th November at Cardiff City Stadium. NICW has been invited to sponsor a session on Infrastructure Skills. David Clubb will think about an appropriate speaker and liaise with Josh Miles on this. 

It was noted the CCEI Committee Report debate was brief, but positive. 

David Clubb fed back on the meeting with Julie James. The terms of office for NICW Commissioners were discussed with DC asked to stay on until after the 2026 Senedd elections. Terms of appointment, the NICW budget and project updates were also given during this positive meeting. 

None

The next meeting will take place 23 July at Bute Park, Cardiff.