6. Debate on the Public Accounts Committee Report: Natural Resources Wales's Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:57 pm on 13 February 2019.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 4:57, 13 February 2019

I agree. Obviously, it is the picture across the whole public sector, and it is a question that I've asked around capacity; a few Members referred to capacity and capability. Obviously, they have had cuts to their budget. They don't just get funding from us, though—I think that should be recognised—and we have worked with them to ensure that they are able to look at other opportunities for getting funding brought forward. I've also been able to give them not huge amounts but significant extra money on top of their budget. That is a discussion I had with the chief executive just yesterday. I met with her again, and she assures me that is the case. But I think it's something that we have to keep a very close eye on. 

I know that PAC Members—I watched the session, and I thought it was very good that they indicated that they want to go out and visit NRW on the ground. I know many Members have already done that. But I do think it is an opportunity to see the great work that they are doing. 

There is more we need to do to ensure NRW is in a position to fulfil its vital role to the high standards that Welsh Government and the people of Wales expect. I don't think an independent inquiry would be of benefit at the present time. They've just gone, obviously, through an independent review. We need to look at what's come out of that in the first instance. I've got confidence in both the interim chair and the chief executive. I've no doubt they will stand by their commitments that they made to the Public Accounts Committee earlier this week and they will see through every change necessary. 

As I stated in my response to the committee's report, I will now take the time to review the evidence that they gave to the committee on Monday, together with the Grant Thornton report, and I will write to the committee with my considerations by the end of March.