National Infrastructure Commission for Wales meeting notes: 23 May 2025

NICW

Dr David Clubb, Chair
Dr Eurgain Powell, Commissioner
Aleena Khan, Commissioner
Steve Brooks, Commissioner
Eluned Parrott Commissioner
Nick Tune, Commissioner

Secretariat/Welsh Government

Stuart Ingram, NICW Secretariat
Nicola Britton, NICW Secretariat

Juliet Rose, Nature on Board

Apologies

Dr Jenifer Baxter, Deputy Chair
Helen Armstrong, Commissioner
 

Juliet Rose introduced herself as the head of development at the Eden Project. Her role focuses on nature recovery and social recovery; she discussed her work at the National Wildlife Centre in Liverpool and her role in nature connection programmes. Juliet explained the concept of having a Nature Guardian on board, emphasising the importance of nature as infrastructure and the role of the guardian in reminding the team of nature's presence and impact.

The Chair welcomed Commissioners to the meeting with a check-in and celebration of success

Notes of previous meeting

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Invitations

The secretariat noted there was  an invitation from Ambition North Wales; who the secretariat is talking with about the proposed trip to North Wales in July; to a Deeside Carbonisation Group on 30 June.  There is also an invitation from the Climate Change Adaptation Committee to a series of CCRA related workshop throughout June.  Both Eluned Parrott and Aleena Khan expressed an interest in the transport workshop.

Juliet Rose offered an open invitation for NICW to visit the Eden Project.  
 

Action 

Register for Adaptation Transport workshop : secretariat.
 

The Work Programme report and budget report was circulated to Commissioners in advance. The following specific areas were discussed in relation to the report:

Year 1: Renewable energy

Participants discussed their recent meeting with Welsh Government officials, expressing disappointment with the official response to their recommendations.

There was a discussion about the potential of AI in planning applications to improve efficiency and reduce delays.

Year 2: Flooding

The meeting with the Deputy First Minister was discussed. Commissioners think there is a potential disconnect between the formal response and minister’s ambitions, which is exacerbated by the timing of the next Senedd elections.  

Commissioners agreed the importance of continuing to talk about the recommendations across different fora. To this end there was a discussion about engaging with the NRW board to better understand their approach to flood risk management.

Year 3: Climate change communication

Steve Brooks updated the group on synthesising recommendations and early thinking about the launch of the NICW report.

Stuart updated on behalf of Helen Armstrong about how the project’s legacy can be developed. He invited commissioners to EID in the Park on 6 June, where the outcome of the project will be included.  

Year 4: Infrastructure assessment

David Clubb reported work is underway on planning workshops and a stakeholder survey will be shared for commissioners to input.

Year 4: Infrastructure delivery

There was concern the draft specification did not fully reflect discussions. The spec will need to ensure:

• Systemic long term issues are captured;
• Focus on Welsh projects (no circuit of Wales or M4 relief road; add heads of valleys and rail centre of excellence)

Action

Discuss developments around AI and planning process with WG planning team: Secretariat

Recirculate delivery spec with updated list of case studies: Secretariat
 

Ministerial Confidence on NICW was discussed. It was noted this is a relatively short term risk (until May 2026).

The Chair recognised Steve Brooks on going contribution to developing the NICW communication strategy. A tender exercise for ongoing communication support will take place shortly.

The report was welcomed by commissioners. Recognition of the how NICW is delivering was noted and the concerns NICW have about Ministerial commitment are reflected in the recommendations. NICW recognise they have a role in building links with Ministers and Senior Officials.

The Chair introduced the review and how and when NICW could engage was discussed. The main topics was how Act has improved awareness and provided a common language for organizations but has not significantly changed circumstances in Wales. A blog post will be developed by way of response.

The Secretariat noted funding availability of £75000 for additional projects in 2025/26. Commissioners revisited the three overarching themes of skills, planning and futures. Through discussion, building on the Deputy Chairs idea of upfront due diligence for big projects, commissioners concluded one project specification to learn from past projects (eg Swansea Bay Barrage) and the trade-offs  involved in delivering within the context of the Future Generations Act would be worked up

Action

Develop a blog post about the Post-legislative Review of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act : Chair
 

The Commission discussed the role of the Nature Guardian, including the need for a contract and the rights of the guardian to access information, consult experts, and direct actions.  

Commissioners agreed to proceed with co-opting  Elspeth Jones as the pilot Nature Guardian for six months, with a review at the end of the period.

Suggestions were made for holding a half-day session in November to showcase the implementation of nature guardianship and generate interest among public sector organisations and ministers.

The meeting timetable has been updated until December 2025.  

Options for a visit to North Wales in July were discussed.

The next meeting will take place on 20 June in Bute Park.