Meetings

PAC(4)-10-16 Paper 5

6.1 Members considered and subject to number of amendments agreed the draft report.

Research Briefing

Welsh Government

James Price – Deputy Permanent Secretary, Economy, Skills and Natural Resources Group, Welsh Government

3.1 The Committee took evidence from James Price, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Economy, Skills and Natural Resources Group, Welsh Government as part of the inquiry into the Welsh Government’s acquisition and ownership of Cardiff Airport.

3.2 James Price agreed to send the following information to Committee:

·       A list of the Anchor Companies in Wales together with the criteria required to be an Anchor Company;

·       A note of the passenger figures and number of flights over the last 25 years;

·       A plan and inventory of what the Welsh Government acquired;

·       An explanation of the urgency as to why the purchase had to be completed within a short timeframe and why the S128 procedure contained within the Government of Wales Act 2006 was used;

·       Full details of the various valuations carried out prior to the acquisition;

·       Confirmation as to whether the original land value was carried out on the site as an airport or the Residual Land Value of the airport site prior to the time of purchase;

·       If the calculations on the Residual Land Value are available; and

·       A note on which valuation method is used to value the assets in the Holdco annual accounts.

Research Briefing

Transport Scotland

John Nicholls, Director – Aviation, Maritime, Freight and Canals Transport Scotland

Andrew Miller, Chair of Glasgow Prestwick Airport

5.1 The Committee took evidence from John Nicholls, Director, Aviation, Maritime, Freight and Canals Transport Scotland and Andrew Miller, Chair of Glasgow Prestwick Airport as part of the inquiry into the Welsh Government’s acquisition and ownership of Cardiff Airport.

PAC(4)-06-16 P1

PAC(4)-06-16 P2

Research Briefing

Aviation and Transport Experts

Chris Cain – Director and Head of Research, Northpoint Aviation

Professor Stuart Cole CBE - Emeritus Professor of Transport Economics and Policy, University of South Wales

4.1 The Committee took evidence from Chris Cain, Director and Head of Research, Northpoint Aviation and Professor Stuart Cole CBE, Emeritus Professor of Transport Economics and Policy, University of South Wales as part of the inquiry into the Welsh Government’s acquisition and ownership of Cardiff Airport.

7.1 Members discussed the evidence received.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Research Briefing

Welsh Government’s Holding Company (WGC Holdco)

Simon Jones – Chair, WGC Holdco, Welsh Government

3.1 The Committee took evidence from Simon Jones, Welsh Government’s Holding Company (WGC Holdco), as part of the inquiry into the Welsh Government’s acquisition and ownership of Cardiff Airport.

3.2 Simon Jones agreed to send the following information to assist the Committee’s inquiry:

·       If BA received any financial incentive from the Welsh Government to locate its maintenance facilities at Cardiff Airport;

·       Data on how passengers arrive at Cardiff Airport;

·       The current value of Cardiff Airport; and

·       Names of the loan provides to the airports referred to in the evidence session in receipt of loans.

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Research Briefing

Roger Lewis – Chair, Cardiff Airport

Debra Barber – Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Cardiff Airport

3.1 The Committee took evidence from Roger Lewis, Chair, and Debra Barber, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Cardiff Airport as part of the inquiry in to the Welsh Government’s acquisition and ownership of Cardiff Airport

3.2 Debra Barber agreed to provide figures on inward passenger throughput and the airport’s capacity during the Rugby World Cup and the NATO Summit.

3.3 Roger Lewis extended an invitation to the Committee to undertake a visit to see the improvements made to the infrastructure at the airport.

4.1 The Auditor General for Wales briefed the Committee on his forthcoming report (due to be published on 28 January) on the Welsh Government’s Acquisition and Ownership of Cardiff Airport.

Witnesses:

Edwina Hart AM, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Welsh Government

James Price, Director General Economy, Science and Transport , Welsh Government

Jeff Collins, Project Manager-Director, Welsh Government

5.1 The Committee took evidence from Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Welsh Government Edwina Hart AM. The Minister was supported by James Price, Director General Economy, Science and Transport, Welsh Government and Jeff Collins, Project Manager, Director, Welsh Government.

5.2 The Minister agreed to provide:

- A note on the Regional Air Connectivity Fund announced in the budget and the interplay between this and new guidance on State Aid;

- A note on State Aid in the context of projected passenger growth at the airport;

- A note on Welsh Government official travel through Cardiff Airport;

- A note on evening runway use at the Cardiff Airport - St Athan Enterprise Zone.

Carwyn Jones, First Minister

Jeff Collins, Director, Delivery, BETS

2.1. The Chair welcomed the First Minister and his Officials. Members questioned the witnesses.