Ahead of the Senedd debate on Natural Resources Wales (6 October), we’re setting out some relevant background and linking to key information.
The Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee scrutinises senior NRW officials each year and publishes a report with recommendations. The annual scrutiny 2024-25 report was published in May and made 11 recommendations.
Both Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Welsh Government have responded to the recommendations:
NRW has implemented a ‘Case for Change’ to revise delivery and save £12m. This includes NRW ceasing to run cafes and shops at its visitor centres. The Committee called for a plan to reopen the centres. NRW’s response sets out steps it’s taking to identify alternative operators.
The Committee was concerned about budget cuts in flooding and environmental pollution. NRW has adopted a “higher tolerance of risk” in managing pollution incidents. NRW responded saying it prioritises flooding work to areas at greatest flood risk and takes a proportionate, risk-based approach to pollution response.
You can read more about NRW’s Case for Change in our article: NRW finds £12m of savings. What does this mean for its services?
NRW has called for a multi-year funding arrangement with the Welsh Government for a number of years. The Committee agrees this would help NRW manage its budgets for the long term. The Welsh Government agrees in principle but notes constraints such as election and UK fiscal event cycles that impact ability to deliver multi-year settlements.
The Welsh Government loaned £19m to NRW in October 2024 to cover unpaid tax liabilities following an HMRC investigation. The tax bill related to historical compliance issues with off-payroll workers. In response to the Committee’s recommendations, NRW and the Welsh Government set out how the loan would be repaid and what lessons would be learnt.
NRW’s challenges coincide with a transition in its senior leadership team. The term of the current Chair, Sir David Henshaw, is coming to an end and the new Chair, Neil Sachdev, takes up his role on 1 November 2025. The Committee held a pre-appointment hearing with Neil Sanchev in June 2025.
NRW’s previous Chief Executive, Claire Pillman, retired in March 2025. The Committee called for a permanent replacement to be appointed within six months (of its May 2025 report). The role is currently advertised and closes to applicants on 31 October 2025.
You can watch the Senedd NRW debate live on Senedd TV on 6 October.
Article by Elfyn Henderson, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament
