Welsh Government Board meeting: 25 July 2025

• Andrew Goodall (Chair)
• Carys Williams
• Aled Edwards
• Mike Usher
• Andrew Slade
• Judith Paget
• Sioned Evans
• Tracey Burke
• David Richards
• Dom Houlihan
• Wellbeing of Future Generations Champion
• Lead Co-Chair of the Shadow Board
• TUS representative 

In attendance

• Senior Principal Research Officer - Corporate Research and Analysis
• Principal Research Officer - Corporate Research and Analysis
• Head of Culture and Engagement

Apologies

• Emma Williams
• Nia James
• Dean Medcraft
• Mutale Merrill

Secretariat

• Permanent Secretary’s Office

1.1 The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and noted the apologies received. Board consented to the use of Microsoft Copilot. The minutes of 20 June were agreed. No declarations of interest were received in relation to agenda items. 

1.2 The Chair noted the Covid-19 Public Inquiry Module 6 hearings on the care sector, highlighting Welsh Government staff involvement. 

1.3 The Chair noted the pragmatic response to the revised Sustainable Farming Scheme from the sector and offered his thanks to staff who had helped develop the scheme and staff who attended the show to engage with stakeholders. Tracey Burke echoed these comments and referenced the other agricultural shows across Wales staff will attending over the summer months. 

1.4 Andrew Slade updated the Board on the legal challenge from Bristol Airport regarding Welsh Government’s financial support to Cardiff Airport. 

1.5 The Chair noted preparations for the Wales Investment summit taking place in December 2025. 

1.6 The Chair noted the recent publication of the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee’s report on The Welsh Government’s purchase of Gilestone Farm. 

1.7 The Chair noted recent media coverage over hybrid working, office attendance and the Welsh Government estate. The Chair reminded Board that Welsh Government’s policy on hybrid working has not changed and noted the importance of regularly reviewing the Welsh Government estate as part of the responsible use of public funds. Mike Usher suggested including commentary on the Welsh Government estate in the narrative accompanying the 2024-2025 annual accounts. 

1.8 The Chair noted that Jacqueline Totterdell has been appointed as Director General for the Health, Social care and Early Years Group and Chief Executive NHS Wales.

2.1 The Senior Principal Research Officer and Principal Research Officer - Corporate Research and Analysis presented the Balanced Scorecard annual report. The presentation discussed performance against the four areas identified for improvement by ExCo. The presentation also considered performance on areas of strategic organisational importance including leadership, alignment of resources to Ministerial Priorities, Welsh Government values, the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act Five-ways of working, Welsh language, Equality Diversity and Inclusion and progress against the Anti-racist Wales Action plan and, WG2025 Phase 2 benefits.

2.2 The Board noted the number of Senior Civil Service (SCS) members who have yet to set anti-racist personal performance objectives for 2025/26 in line with Welsh Government’s leadership commitments within the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan. Carys Williams queried where accountability to ensure this commitment is complied with lies. Tracey Burke advised that many members of the SCS are still in the process of agreeing their objectives for 2025/26. Andrew Slade noted the importance of holding Directors to account for complying with the commitment. Carys and the Co-Chair of the Shadow Board suggested that all staff should have an anti-racist performance objective. The Chair noted that some 1,200 members of staff joined the online event to receive the Red Quadrat Report. 

2.3 Mike Usher noted the decline in payment performance over a number of years and the current performance against mandatory major project delivery requirements. Mike queried whether the organisation is too tolerant of non-compliance. The Chair suggested learning from best practice in other devolved governments. 

2.4 Aled Edwards welcomed improvements in the gender pay gap and despite the slight increase in 2024, the general trend of decreasing over time for ethnicity and disability. Aled queried how Board can track ethnicity and disability pay gaps. Dom Houlihan advised that this is something his team are tracking and noted that Welsh Government still remains ahead of the UK Civil Service on these matters. Aled also welcomed the small increase in staff with basic Welsh language skills. 

2.5 The Wellbeing of Future Generations Champion suggested undertaking a foresight exercise to move the focus to being proactive rather than reactive. 

2.6 Regarding sickness absence rates, Dom advised that efforts are underway to improve reporting accuracy and to take early intervention. The approach is to support staff back to work while managing long-term cases more proactively. 

2.7 Reflecting on progress against the four areas identified as priorities for improvement, Carys queried the consequences of non-improvement. 

2.8 The Board noted the need for better integration and tracking of impact assessments, especially in light of external scrutiny and legal exposure. 

2.9 The Board discussed making the balanced scorecard more widely available within the organisation to increase transparency and engagement.

3.1 The Chair invited Dom Houlihan to provide the Board with its biannual update on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). 

3.2 In his update Dom highlighted the EDI ambitions included in the new People Plan, the improved engagements scores amongst ethnic minority staff reported in the 2024 People survey and work underway to simplify reporting of inappropriate behaviour. Dom also noted that the gender pay gap continues to decrease, but gaps for ethnicity and disability persist due to underrepresentation in senior roles. Dom highlighted the findings of the Red Quadrant review of HR policies and processes noting that the review concluded that recruitment policies are sound, but that implementation can be inconsistent. The review also highlighted the need to improve data quality, clarify EDI governance and for changes in recruitment and performance management. 

3.3 Carys Williams queried what more could be done to promote allyship amongst staff. Dom advised that all staff networks have allies amongst their members and agreed that more could be done to encourage colleagues to come forward to become and ally 

3.4 The Co-Chair of the Shadow Board suggested inviting minority ethnic colleagues to help pilot schemes around succession planning and performance review. The CoChair also highlighted the need to continue to invest in current data collection systems to be ready for the greater use of AI 

3.5 Aled Edwards reminded the Board that equality is at the heart of the devolved settlement and welcomed the efforts of Dom and colleagues on EDI in the context of what can be a challenging external environment. 

3.6 Mike Usher noted the leadership role Welsh Government has regarding EDI in the public sector in Wales. 

3.7 Judith Paget welcomed the presentation and the focus on promoting respect amongst colleagues within the People Plan and highlighted the importance of tracking progress over time.

4.1 The Chair invited the Directors General to update on progress against Programme for Government commitments in their portfolio area. 

4.2 Tracey Burke noted that the target to build 20,000 low carbon homes is close to being met, but actual delivery will lag beyond the government term. Tracey advised that legislative commitments her Group is leading on are on track but depend on timely passage and substantial sub-legislation; risks remain if deadlines slip. Carys Williams noted the progressed made and asked Tracey if any of the outstanding commitments were particularly challenging to deliver. In response Tracey noted the challenges around the commitment to designate a North Wales National Park. 

4.3 Andrew Slade advised that of the 76 commitments that his Group leads on, most are on track but 4 are on red and 8 on amber. The 4 commitments on red are legislation to modernise the taxi and private-hire vehicle sector, the Tech Valleys programme, ambitions for a zero-emissions bus/taxi fleet and devolution of the management of the Crown Estate in Wales. Amber-rated commitments include meeting the 100,000 apprenticeships target, establishing a community bank, the Global Centre for Rail Excellence and developing a ports and freight strategy. Andrew noted the need for clear communication on what can be realistically delivered by the end of the sixth Senedd term and where risks remain. 

4.4 Judith Paget noted that of the 47 commitments her group leads on, 34 are complete with a further 10 are green and 3 are amber. Regarding the three amber rated commitments, progress is strong on the commitment to provide treatments delayed by the pandemic while the phased expansion of Early Years provision to two-year olds continues and it is expected that 80% of two-year olds will have been offered a place by the end of the financial year. Significant investment has been made to improve access to doctors, nurses, dentists and other health professionals but challenges remain with dental contract reform and ongoing negotiations with GPs over funding. 

4.5 Sioned Evans provided an update on the commitments falling within the Chief Operating Officer’s area of responsibility. Sioned advised that work on the Digital strategy for wale sis progressing well, with an increased focus on AI. The Visitor Accommodation Register and Levy Etc. Bill has been passed and is now awaiting Royal ascent. Progress has been made on implementing targets around Gender Budgeting and on implementing the Reflecting Wales in Running Wales strategy. Sioned noted that many commitments have a “tail” of ongoing delivery and resource needs after the formal commitment is met, requiring continued attention. 

4.6 The Chair thanked the Directors General for their updates and noted the significant progress that has been made against Programme for Government commitments.

5.1 No items of any other business were raised. Board will next meet on 12 September.