National Infrastructure Commission for Wales meeting notes: 27 February 2024

NICW

Dr David Clubb, Chair

Jenifer Baxter Deputy Chair

Eurgain Powell Commissioner

Eluned Parrott, Commissioner

Aleena Khan, Commissioner

Helen Armstrong Commissioner

Steve Brooks, Commissioner
 

Secretariat / Welsh Government

Stuart Ingram, NICW Secretariat

Nicola Britton, NICW Secretariat
 

Apologies

Nick Tune, Commissioner

1. Welcome and declarations of interest.

   The Chair welcomed commissioners to the meeting with a check-in, celebration of success, declarations and invitations.  
   
   The Deputy Chair she has been appointed as the Chief Executive of Industry Wales, starting on 18 March.  She discussed some aspects of her new role and is confident there will be no direct conflict with her role in NICW as she will not be working on individual projects, but instead focusing on the strategic direction of the organisation.  However she will keep the situation under review and inform NIW if she does become involved in investment activity.
   
   The Deputy Chair will be attending the Mineral Products Association March seminar.
   
   Eluned Parrot introduced a safety moment concerning a new student safety contract she is aware of as part of her role in the Institute of Physics.  The sub-contractor has not undertaken appropriate risk assessment, particularly with regard to disabled students.  The chair noted the issue of complex procurement practices can create a lessening of standards and this is something he would like NICW to be mindful of.

2. Housekeeping

   The action tracker was noted and updated with the Deputy Chair re-considering the action on the Just Transition consultation and the Chair will discuss feedback from the spring 2023 RTPI events with Steve Brooks .  

   The Secretariat report was noted.

   The first draft of a risk register was noted.  It was agreed a separate meeting to finalise is to be arranged.

   Action

   Consider handling of reports from spring 2023 RTPI event: Chair & Steve Brooks
   Arrange meeting to finalise risk register: Secretariat

3. Consultation responses/ policy updates 

   The Just Transition Framework consultation was discussed and it was suggested a comparison with the Scottish Just Transition be undertaken.  The deputy chair agreed to relook at the welsh framework in that context.

4. Future Work Programme Updates  

   a.    Year 1 Renewable Energy Report

   It was noted a formal response had still not been received from the Welsh Government. Commissioners discussed what action could be taken to expediate a response, once a new Ministerial team is in place.

   b.    Year 2 Flood Research 

   Eluned Parrott updated the group on progress noting delivery of the projects will be at the end of March and that input on the draft reports will take place throughout the month.  Complexity within the sector and living water are emerging as clear themes and the links to the developing year 3 existential risk project were briefly explored.

   c.    Year 3 Development Of Approach To Existential Risk.  

   A briefing session with Cynnal Cymru has been arranged for 15 March to discuss emerging findings prior to the delivery of the final report.

   d.    IWA Infrastructure Futures Essay Collection

   The Secretariat will provide an update in the coming weeks.

   e.    Feedback from Session with CCEI Committee

   The chair and deputy briefly updated the meeting about the session, which they thought went well.

   f.    Feedback from meeting with Deputy Minister.

   Again the Chair and Deputy Chair updated on recent meeting.  The Minster was able to confirm a budget for running costs and asked that future projects are submitted for sign off and budget allocation.
    

5. Budget 

   An underspend of £40k was noted for 23/24.  Proposals for 24/25 will need to be agreed early in the financial year and a meeting arranged with the successor to John Howells, who is retiring at the end of March.
   
   The chair asked commissioners to indicate if they would wish to extend their terms to ensure delivery of the Year 2 report and the year 3 project.

   Action

   Indicate if term to be extended to December 2025 :  All

6. General Discussion

   The deputy chair updated Commissioners about discussions she has had on National Grid with WG policy teams.  It was noted the most effective at this stage should focus on how Wales can influence Westminster and NG.  Wales week at Westminster was seen as a important way to exercise ‘soft power’

7. AOB

   The next meeting will take place 26 March in Cardiff.