Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the largest Welsh Government Sponsored Body - employing 1,900 staff across Wales with a budget of £180 million. NRW was formed in April 2013, largely taking over the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and the Environment Agency in Wales, as well as certain Welsh Government functions.

The Auditor General for Wales undertook a review of whether NRW has in place, or is developing, effective governance arrangements that support delivery of its key priorities and outcomes, publishing a report in February 2016.

The Public Accounts Committee considered this report and scrutinised NRW’s Annual Accounts 2015-16 following qualification by the Auditor General. The Committee received regular updates on the implementation of NRW’s action plan following the Committee’s Report.

The Auditor General qualified NRW’s 2017-18 Annual Accounts on 16 July 2018 which the Committee scrutinised in autumn 2018. The Committee’s report was published in November 2018. Both the Welsh Government and NRW have responded to the recommendations contained in the Report, which the Committee considered on 28 January 2019.

The Committee held an evidence session with NRW in February 2019 to further examine the recommendations and actions arising out of this report and the independent review. A Plenary debate was held on 13 February 2019.

The Committee further examined NRW’s actions to address the issues raised during its scrutiny of NRW’s Annual Report and Accounts 2018-19, which were again qualified by the Auditor General for Wales, in January 2020. The Committee was satisfied that progress has been made and the issues identified in the report had been fully addressed.

Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18

Annual Report and Accounts 2015-16

The Finance Committee’s responsibilities include oversight of the Wales Audit Office. The Finance Committee took evidence from the Auditor General for Wales on 15th March 2017 in relation to the delay in the laying of Natural Resources Wales Annual accounts 2015-16 (Transcript PDF, 423KB).