Welsh Government Board meeting: 24 October 2025

• Andrew Goodall (Chair) 
• Carys Williams 
• Aled Edwards 
• Mike Usher 
• Andrew Slade 
• Judith Paget 
• Tracey Burke 
• Emma Williams 
• Sioned Evans 
• Jacqueline Totterdell 
• Nia James 
• Dom Houlihan 
• Zakhyia Begum, Co-Chair of the Shadow Board 
• TUS representative 
• Wellbeing of Future Generations Champion 

In attendance 

• Jason Thomas 
• Tim Howard 
• Kara Richards 

Apologies 

• Dean Medcraft 
• David Richards 
• Mutale Merrill 

Secretariat 

• Permanent Secretary’s Office 

1.1 The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and noted the apologies received. The notes of 12 September were approved.

1.2 The Chair advised the Board that Aled Edwards had noted a conflict of interest in relation to Item 2 of the agenda and would step out of the meeting for the item. No other conflicts of interest were noted.

1.3 The Board noted the outcome of the Caerphilly by-election held on 23 October. Mike Usher queried how changes to electoral system for the Senedd elections in 2026 will be communicated to voters. Mike also highlighted the importance of clear communication about devolved responsibilities.

1.4 The Chair provided an update on the First Minister’s expectations for progress on deliver for the remainder of the Senedd Term.

1.5 The Chair noted progress on the draft budget for 2026 – 2027.

1.6 The Chair provided an updated on the Covid-19 Public Inquiry noting the evidence session by the former First Minister and the timetable for publishing and responding to the Module 2 report. The response is due to be published in the pre-election period and so welsh Government may opt to defer the response or publish an interim response.

1.7 The Chair noted progress on developing an AI Plan for Wales and the focus of this year’s One Big Thing campaign for the Civil Service on AI for All. Jacquline Totterdell highlighted the importance of exercising caution over the use of AI when handling personal data and risks around data security when using off-the-shelf AI tools. The TUS representative and Sioned Evans highlighted the importance of up-skilling the workforce to give staff the confidence to maximise the benefits of AI.

1.8 The Chair noted that the 2025 People Survey had closed for responses and that analysis is underway. The results of the survey will be presented to Board in January 2026.

2.1 Aled Edwards left the meeting for Item 2 owing to a conflict of interests.

2.2 The Chair welcomed Jason Thomas and Tim Howard to the meeting and invited them to update the Board on the current position relating to Gilestone Farm and the Welsh Government’s response to the recent Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee’s (PAPAC) report on the acquisition of Gilestone Farm. The Board was asked to note that the asset is now deemed surplus to requirements from an economic development perspective and that, in line with extant guidelines on disposal of assets, officials will now investigate whether the site could be used for delivery of alternative Welsh Government policy objectives whilst finding a long-term solution to the site and ensuring the site is managed appropriately in the interim period.

2.3 Tim Howard noted the points raised by Shadow Board on undertaking feasibility and environmental impact assessments and noted that there had been some assessment of the environment impact ahead of the purchase. Tim highlighted the challenges around stakeholder engagement during commercial negotiations.

2.4 Carys Williams queried how staff have coped with the intense public scrutiny over the purchase. Jason noted that this has had an impact on the wellbeing of staff but that the team have displayed considerable resilience and have continued to discharge their duties with a high degree of professionalism.

2.5 Reflecting on Recommendation 7 made by PAPAC, Mike Usher asked whether Welsh Government is making sufficient use of the in-house expertise it has in relation to property. Tim noted that there are a number of specialist teams dealing with property and outlined the role of the Place Division in coordinating corporate guidance on the acquisition, management and disposal of assets.

2.6 Sioned Evans highlighted the importance of strong project management especially for more high-risk projects and the need for a clear exit strategy.

2.7 The Well-being of Future Generations Champion queried how the five key ways of working outlined in the Well-being of Future Generations Act are being used in the next phase of the project and whether there is any international evidence Welsh Government can learn from.

2.8 The Chair thanked all for their comments and noted that this is likely to remain an area of focus for PAPAC. The Chair recognised the impact that the high profile of the purchase has had on staff involved and highlighted the need to support staff. The Chair noted the importance of incorporating learning from the project into discussion on the organisation’s appetite for risk.

3.1 The Chair welcomed Kara Richards to the meeting and invited Sioned Evans and Kara to provide an update on WG2025, reflecting on progress to date and highlighting priorities over the next 7 months.

3.2 Phase three of WG2025 is focussing on six priority areas; preparing for Senedd Reform, improving processes, systems and data, creating a better workplace for all, enabling change and fostering continuous improvement, driving efficiency, governance and empowerment, and optimising our estate. Each priority area is led by a Director and underpinned by ongoing staff engagement.

3.3 Sioned outlined a number of recent achievements including a 70% reduction in recruitment wait times, with further improvements underway, Desktop 2.0 rolled out to
over 95% of the organisation and £4 million annual efficiencies from insourcing legal services.

3.4 Priorities for the next 7 months are focussed on the actions that will make the greatest impact and ensure the organisation is ready for the challenges ahead. These include preparing ministerial private offices and government business processes for a potentially expanded ministerial team, improving corporate systems, expanding and embedding the use of AI and strengthening development schemes to bolster the talent pipeline within the organisation, launching a new coaching and learning programme for leaders and co-creating a new Welsh Government Team Charter.

3.5 Jacqueline Totterdell queried if the Team Charter would also include behaviours and suggested compiling a register of staff members who are willing to coach colleagues both within their own departments and across departments.

3.6 Aled Edwards highlighted the importance of ensuring Equality Impact Assessments are carried out and impacts tracked on the areas being taken forward.

3.7 Mike User welcomed the update and commented that he was encouraged by the direction of travel. Mike stressed the importance of maintaining momentum over the coming months. 

3.8 Carys Williams suggested a greater focus on consistency across the organisation and developing a One Welsh Government approach to matters such as project management.

3.9 Judith Paget and Emma Williams noted that around a quarter of the current workforce have joined the organisation since 2021 and will not have experienced being part of Welsh Government during the pre- and post-election period. Tracey Burke agreed and noted that while there is a knowledge gap there are staff with the necessary experience.

3.10 The TUS representative highlighted the importance of supporting staff and ensuring staff are engaged with developments.

3.11 Nia James and Emma Williams fed back on discussions about change and change management at anchor days with their teams. Both noted the constructive and energising discussions at the events. Emma highlighted the leadership role of Grade 6 and 7 colleagues in the organisational change process.

3.12 The Chair thanked all for their comments and noted the points raised by Shadow Board on ensuring that staff communications acknowledge on going challenges and issues yet to be resolved.

4.1 The Chair invited Judith Paget to provide Board with an update on the work of the newly established Strategy Unit.

4.2 The Strategy Unit has responsibility for six areas; these are, providing strategic capacity for Welsh Government, undertaking horizon scanning and long-term futures thinking, providing a strategic plan for the organisation, preparing for Senedd elections and Senedd Reform, promoting strategic approaches and resource prioritisation and building capacity across the policy profession.

4.3 Judith noted that an Election Preparation Subcommittee has been established and that it is a subcommittee of the Executive Committee (ExCo). Judith outlined the subcommittee’s workstreams and provided an update from its last meeting on 21 October.

4.4 Carys Williams asked how Board members can support staff prepare for the Senedd elections. Judith provided an overview of the guidance that is being prepared for staff and noted that her team is engaging with colleagues in the Scottish Government who are similarly preparing for elections in 2026.

4.5 Mike Usher noted the different strands of activity underway, including new activities, and suggested compiling a one-page summary for staff explaining how all the different elements link together.

4.6 Aled Edwards noted that it is likely that a large number of the Senedd members following the election will have experience of government and reflected on the impact on staff.

4.7 Jacqueline Totterdell queried whether officials will develop strategic options ahead of the new government taking office. Judith advised that officials are looking at current policy proposals and that more detailed work is planned once manifestos are published.

4.8 The Chair thanked all for their comments and reminded Board that the role of the Civil Service is to support the government of the day deliver its policy objectives whilst also discharging its statutory duties.

5.1 Carys Williams noted that she has shared with the Secretariat some suggestions for future agenda items. Board will next meet on 12 December.