PRESENT: Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (Chair), Ian Bancroft (Vice Chair), Delyth Evans, Nicola Mead-Batten, Philip Tilley, Nuria Zolle, Rhian Gibson, Martin Veale, Dafydd Trystan, Hannah Bruce, Rajma Begum
STAFF: Brian Davies (CEO), Emma Wilkins, Graham Williams, Owen Lewis, Joanne Nicholas, Ian Blackburn, Owen Hathway, Wendy Yardley (minutes)
Staff Observers: Eleanor Ower
External: Neil Welch, Jack Sargeant (MS), Niall Murphy (all Welsh Government).
1. Welcome/Apologies for absence
Chair welcomed all to meeting including the Minister Jack Sargeant MS & his Official Niall Murphy, plus Eleanor Ower as staff observer. Members were informed that Chris Jenkins had decided to stand down from the Board and he was thanked for his previous contributions and commitment. Apologies received from Judi Rhys. Congratulations extended to Delyth on her appointment as the new Chair of S4C.
2. Declaration of interests (if new)
Delyth Evans (S4C Chair)
3. Minutes of the last meetings
3.1 Minutes, Action Log, Decision Trackers & Matters Arising
Nuria to be correctly recorded as being in attendance. Matters arising: CEO – the inter-Ministerial meeting took place on 24 March. Board members attended Anti-Racism Training on 15 May, and thanks extended to the facilitators Ian Blackburn & EW.
Action: WY to amend minutes dated 21 February 2025.
3.2 Decision Tracker
No actions outstanding.
4. Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills & Social Partnership
Expressed his delight at being able to join the Board meeting, albeit remotely. JS was keen to primarily observe at this meeting but also looked forward to working with the Board and extended his personal congratulations to Delyth on her appointment to S4C. He welcomed the news that Board had received anti-racist training and highlighted the ability that sport has to influence other equality objectives and improving mental health. He also emphasized the focus this year on women and girls sport. In response to the Chair and V-C asking about the importance of the Vision and the Sport Wales Strategy, he confirmed its significance in his cultural portfolio and referenced the importance of access; the need for young people to have aspirations and the ability to promote health and well-being through sport. The Minister was thanked for his support, as the backing of Government for the Vision and Strategy helps achieve the long-term ambitions.
5. Policy & Strategy
5.1 Business Plan Update – SW(25)15
A discussion paper. A few notable highlights included further progress with Sport Partnerships with four now in operation. The officer team thanked the Board members for their support. Matters relating to the Preventative health agenda feature later in the agenda. There is a focus on the “Year of sport for women in Wales”, and an example initiative has been the successful “SheThrives” event with over 100 attendees. In terms of Sustainability – mention was made of the catering manager for a focus on Welsh products and reducing the number and frequency of deliveries,. There has been a delay on the British bodies joint activity re sustainability – but the issue has been addressed. The National Lottery 30th birthday activities have been successful and have required significant Communications team resource, but are now drawing to a close.
5.2 Partner Progress & Learning Report - SW(25)16
A discussion paper, serving as an insightful snapshot of all the learning from funded Partners. Themes and trends appearing consistently over the last two years include impact on EDI; Women and Girls activities; plus, sports’ wider contribution to health. The key learnings will be shared back with the sector through the lightening learning initiative. The planned June session of which includes the Tennis Wales anti-racist action plan and Actif North Wales’ commissioning experience. Board members are always welcome and receive invites to these sessions.
Members noted that lessons from failures can also be useful and maybe a tactic to tease out such information is to ask what their biggest challenge has been.
5.3 2026 Senedd Elections: Sport Wales Manifesto Proposals - SW(25)17
A decision paper. The next Senedd elections are now less than 12 months away.
Board agreed that the four recommendations in the paper are sensibly broad in nature and mirror language from recent Senedd Culture Committee reports and also reflect Partner commentary. With initial input during development from a range of Partners, the recommendations will now be replayed to them at various opportunities following today’s Board input/approval. The paper also presented timelines for other next steps.
Members noted that the new system of election supports the effort that has gone into this project and the necessary engagement with the political establishment.
Members also commented that political neutrality and our role to advocate continues to be important over the next 12 months.
BOARD APPROVED PAPER
5.4 Health & Safety (H&S) Annual Report - SW(25)18
A discussion paper. The Board welcomed this report. The H&S Committee meets regularly and ensures that any issues identified re-compliance have resultant appropriate action. There doesn’t appear to be any identifiable trends in work related accidents – and all necessary actions have been taken.
The importance of consistency in language was noted by Members e.g. “allegations” versus “reported incident”. There was some discussion on the impact of homeworking in relation to DSE training and it was confirmed that the appropriateness of such training needed to be reviewed against actual job roles. The H&S committee had also debated the need to include near miss reporting as part of ongoing monitoring.
Thanks were afforded to CN, for his input, and also to HB as the Board champion.
5.5 Safeguarding Annual Report – SW(25)19
A discussion paper. EW highlighted a few items including the online reporting tool which is effective and has been well received. There has been an increased focus on training across both the Institute and National Centre staff – with such training mandatory for new starters. It is hoped that both the training and reporting tool will help us identify any specific trends. There are plans to engage a safeguarding expert to review our policies.
It was confirmed with Members that responsibilities for Safeguarding at Plas Menai are now the responsibility of Legacy Leisure (LL), however, it is also included as a standing agenda item as part of our quarterly review meetings with them.
5.6 Social Partnership Annual Report – SW(25)20
A discussion paper. EW mentioned that this was a new annual report as part of our statutory responsibilities under the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023. Worth reflecting that it’s been a good partnership with colleagues from PCS in producing this joint report. Provides a challenging additional workload for PCS colleagues and will involve forward planning going forward.
It was confirmed for Members that the report followed a template provided by WG and it is provided to the Workforce Partnership Council. Membership of PCS is representative of almost all grades in the organisation.
6.1 Chair & Executive report – SW(25)21
It was noted that the usual order of meeting was changed due to the Ministerial attendance.
The CEO gave specific attention to a few items in the report.
Welsh Government (WG) interactions - mention was made of the annual Ministerial review of the Chair role plus the replacement for Ruth Meadows as Director has been announced to be Elin Burns. An extension of term request is to be made to the Minister with respect to the next cohort of Board members whose terms are due to expire later in the year. This is the final cohort of changes in order to provide continuity and sufficient gaps between recruitment windows – those interested from the cohort will be contacted to ascertain interest. The Public Appointments Unit advert for the next set of replacement Board members will be circulated to promote the link and to encourage a wide pool of potential candidates. A very successful meeting between Sport Wales and a range of Partners from the sector together with our Minister and the Minister for Mental Health, Sarah Murphy. It was arranged to discuss and present the “Relational” approach that is being taken to Mental health by the sector. A similar meeting with Education Ministers is also being proposed.
UK Sports Council’s CEOs meeting - legal advice had been received regarding the Transgender Guidance, which concluded that the Guidance does not materially need to change. However, the Sports Councils Equality Group (SCEG) will examine the text to see if any references and terminology needs updating and also whether there has been any major change in the scientific evidence upon which the original guidance was based. Members were keen to make sure that relevant staff involved in this work were given appropriate support. The EDI Committee could also potentially provide a role and this would be explored following the relevant SCEG meeting.
In response to queries from Board about Governing Bodies reaction to the ruling it was explained that both the Guidance and Legal workshops are still operational and well-subscribed.
The same meeting also had a substantive item on the “Safe Sport” project across the UK and the Report of the working group is to be released on 24 June.
Board was also informed that there was a Panorama programme to be aired on Monday next highlighting issues with a particular swimming club in England. Our Head of Comms and the Relationship Manager are working closely with Swim Wales, despite no Welsh club involvement, so that they are prepared for any reaction.
Sector Resilience – a few recent issues in terms of Partners demonstrates the importance of this work. The Minister has met with a certain NGB and the CEO explained that there may need to be a Critical Governance Group meeting called to discuss that particular issue.
Chair’s Forum – we recently organised a further forum opportunity for the Chairs of funded Partners, attended by our own Chair. It was felt important to continue progressing with this initiative.
Other comments regarding the report included the Board’s disappointment at the Curriculum development grant rejection. Board was also informed that the previous Chair of UK Sport, Dame Kath Grainger, is the new Chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA). A verbal update on the situation with the WRU was also requested and it was confirmed that they are being funded with the Oversight Group providing a quarterly report of progress against the Rafferty Review recommendations. The Chair was also planning on meeting the CEO of the WRU next week.
7. Finance, Risk & Governance
No reports due
8. Board Groups & Standing Committee reports
8.1 EDI Committee Annual Report – SW(25)22
A discussion paper. NZ – this is the first annual report of a Committee that is growing in strength and purpose. A particular highlight has been the Anti Racist Wales training and the ongoing Recrutiment policies review.
8.2 Summary of Subgroups - SW(25)23
This paper summarised the discussions and decisions of the Board’s sub-group meetings since the previous Board meeting. The dissolution of the Sport Partnership subgroup was noted and all thanked for their efforts.
Any Other Business
Focus Session 1pm – briefing paper was circulated separately on “What we’re doing and are we doing the right things to deliver the Strategy?”
There being no further business. Chair thanked all for attending. Meeting closed at 12:15.
9. Date of next meetings:
18 July, 18-19 September (Plas Menai), 21 November 2025