The natural resources we have in Wales – our trees, seas, hills, fields, water and wildlife – are vital for our future. Without them we would have no clean air to breathe or water to drink. They are a major driver in our economy and help sustain the health and wellbeing of our people and attract visitors to Wales.
These resources face increasing demands – from environmental factors such as climate change, and from social and economic factors. It is therefore essential to ensure our environmental resources are managed in the best way possible, to ensure value for money and achieve the best outcomes. This needs to be done in ways which are sustainable, so that Wales’ natural assets are not squandered and are maintained for future generations.
Accountability
As a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, NRW is accountable to the Welsh Ministers through the Sponsorship Minister (currently the Minister for Climate Change) and subject to scrutiny by the relevant Senedd Committees. The Board has accountability for ensuring NRW exercises its legislative functions appropriately and effectively. It is also responsible to Welsh Ministers for the ways in which NRW delivers against the Ministerial remit letter.
NRW’s Board
The Board consists of a Chair and eleven members together with the Chief Executive. In providing effective leadership for the organisation, the Board, collectively and individually, adhere to Nolan’s Seven Principles of Public Life.
In addition to the Nolan principles, the Board will also ensure the organisation meets the requirements of The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The Act puts in place a well-being duty, which is to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.
Collectively, the Board should possess a blend of skills to meet NRW’s current business needs and future goals. Ideally, Board members are pragmatic, strategic, tough-minded and able to offer critical review. They are adept at giving direct guidance and feedback, as well as support when required. They speak their minds and question rather than accept, having the courage to ask difficult questions in a constructive way. All of this whilst bearing in mind NRW is a large and complex organisation which needs to be led day-to-day by the Executive. Therefore, Board members must be interested in making a meaningful contribution to organisational development and be able to deal with the pressure of operating in the public eye.
The Board should operate as a team and once decisions are made, individual members must behave collegiately and support the decisions of the Board as a whole and the Executive as they implement the Board’s direction, whatever the challenges.
Becoming a member of the Board of NRW offers you the chance to work with, and on behalf of, people who are passionate about the natural resources of Wales. NRW is constantly seeking improvement to create a high performing organisation to fulfil its ambitious purpose.