29 October 2015

Dear Emyr,

NRW - Annual scrutiny 2015

In response to your letter dated 7 August 2015, whilst grateful for the more substantive response to our conclusions, I do not agree with your criticism of the process that we followed.

You appear to have misunderstood the purpose of our work, and its emphasis on the views of stakeholders. We contacted a wide and balanced range of stakeholders and the consultation was public i.e. it was open for any organisation or individual to provide a response. You will note that in the oral evidence sessions held, we heard views from a wide range of sectors including business representatives, statutory undertakers, farming unions, national parks, environment organisations and fisheries organisations.

The example of an alternative approach that you provided in your letter is quite different in scope and purpose to our work. Further, the example you offered is part of an internally commissioned process and not one conducted by an entirely independent body.

We did not seek to conduct an audit of NRW’s corporate management arrangements. There are other options available to us had we wished to make this our focus. Rather, as elected representatives, we wanted to give our stakeholders a voice and an opportunity to provide evidence of their experience of working with NRW.

The Committee stands by its conclusions. In drawing these conclusions, we noted the positive responses we received as well as the legitimate concerns raised by many of NRW’s key delivery partners. We hope that when we return to this work we will receive a more positive picture.

I understand that the Clerk to the Committee had started discussions with your staff about the timing of future scrutiny work before you sent your letter in August. It is worth reiterating that both the Clerk to the Committee and I are willing to discuss the Committee’s work with you or your staff should you require any clarification in future.

Yours sincerely

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Alun Ffred Jones AM

Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee

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