Agenda and minutes

1.1        The Committee noted that it had agreed at its last meeting, on 3 July 2012, to begin this meeting in private.

1.2        The Committee commented on and agreed amendments to its draft report ‘Grants Management in Wales’.

2.1 The Committee commented on its draft report ‘Progress in delivering the Welsh Housing Quality Standard’ and agreed to consider further at its meeting on 17 July 2012.

3.1 The Committee discussed their intended handling of the subsequent evidence session (item 5) on the Wales Audit office report ‘The Welsh Government’s acquisition and action to dispose of the former River Lodge Hotel, Llangollen’.

4.1 The Chair welcomed Members and members of the public.

Dame Gillian Morgan, Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government

James Price, Director General, Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science

Arwel Thomas, Deputy Director, Corporate Governance and Assurance Division

5.1 The Chair welcomed Dame Gillian Morgan, Permanent Secretary, Welsh Government; James Price, Director General, Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science; Arwel Thomas, Deputy Director, Corporate Governance and Assurance Division; and David Richards, Director of Governance.

5.2 The Committee questioned the witnesses.

Action points:

In response to questions, the Welsh Government agreed to provide:

·         Details on whether senior Welsh Government managers above regional level would have been present for briefings of the former Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks regarding proposals to purchase the River Lodge Hotel.

·         A note on whether a deadline has been set to dispose of the former River Lodge Hotel site.

·         A note on the process for evaluating bids for use of the site, including details on any conditions on the construction of a footbridge on the site.

·         Further details on the Welsh Government’s Property Leadership Team.

·         Details on how Welsh Government officials in North Wales handled concerns raised by a local Assembly Member in a letter to the Minister regarding the acquisition of the River Lodge Hotel.

Item 1 of the Committee meeting on 17 July 2012.

View the meeting transcript.