New Chair of the National Advice Network Wales appointed

The newly appointed Chair is Fran Targett. Fran recently retired as Director, Citizens Advice Cymru. Fran currently sits on the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) Board and has recently been elected as their Deputy Chair.

The National Advice Network is responsible for providing expert advice, guidance and support to the Welsh Government on how to strategically develop the provision of accessible and good quality information and advice services to people in Wales.

The functions of the National Advice Network Wales will include:

• to lead and/or support initiatives related to the implementation of the individual actions within the Information and Advice Action Plan for Wales and on an annual basis monitoring progress made against the plan
• promoting the Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales and championing the efforts to improve the overall quality of information and advice in Wales
• understanding the nature of the demand for advice services at a national and local level, now and in the future, and work with key stakeholders to identify any gaps in provision
• identifying opportunities for greater collaboration between providers, operating within all sectors, with the ultimate aim of improving the experience of those accessing advice and the quality and effectiveness of the advice provided
• identifying new sources of funding and opportunities for streamlining of services and opportunities for collaborative bids for funding to support and improve front-line services
• supporting and championing initiatives that aim to achieve greater consistency in terms of measuring outcomes across the advice sector
• sharing and disseminating good practice or develop innovative ways of providing advice and Influencing policy and processes to reduce demand for advice services
• setting a broad set of principles/guidelines for local and/or regional advice networks and maintaining a close and effective working relationship with these networks
• providing advice to the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip and Welsh Government on the provision of effective and sustainable advice services.

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, said:

I am pleased Fran Targett has agreed to Chair the National Advice Network. Fran’s vast experience of advice services, in her role as Director of Citizens Advice Cymru and her work within the wider advice sector, means she is well placed to support us to strategically develop our advice networks.

Although not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, this appointment has followed the principles of the Commissioner’s Code of Practice on Ministerial Appointments.

The Chair of the National Advice Network is paid £256 per day reflecting a time commitment of 20 days per year.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for the political activity of appointees (if any declared) to be published. No political activity has been declared.