The Committee gave initial consideration to the options available for public inquiry and policy review in relation to restoration of the River Wye. One option under consideration, as per the work plan, was the establishment of a task and finish group, however whilst membership had been identified, draft terms of reference had not been placed in the public domain and it was not clear at this stage how a task and finish group could complement the work of a proposed Cabinet Commission, rather than duplicating its work. On that basis the Chair advised the Committee that the meeting should engage in a general discussion, with the potential establishment of a task and finish group deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee noted the proposal by Cabinet to establish a Commission with the aim of bringing key stakeholders together to address a number of long standing issues, and the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council were in attendance for the item to answer questions from the Committee.

One particular area of concern for the Committee was how the proposed Commission would achieve buy-in from partners, given that the Council was one of numerous stakeholders and there was no authority to compel participation. The Leader stated that a lot of the work to be carried out by the Commission will revolve around fact-gathering, and it was hoped that if a sound evidence base with universally accepted facts could be established, this would make achieving buy-in easier. It was acknowledged that the goal was ambitious, but the effort to achieve it was justified on the basis that inaction would be far worse. It was similarly noted that the neighbouring local authorities of Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire and Powys each had an interest in these issues and therefore the Committee sought assurance that they would be engaged with the Commission’s work. The Leader advised that the Council is already well engaged with these authorities and there is political will to work together. Given the existence of cross-boundary issues, it was suggested that further consideration be given as to how the working relationship between partners is best shaped.

A discussion was held around what role a potential Scrutiny task and finish group could adopt, with the Leader suggesting that it could receive updates and provide suggestions to further the work of the Commission. The Committee felt however that it would be unproductive to have a group established simply to monitor the work of a Commission, and instead felt that the role of a task and finish group should be to study what the Commission does not intend, or does not have the capacity, to look at. This could, for example, encompass a ‘horizon scanning’ role looking at emerging national thinking and identifying gaps in current analysis and regulation, and feeding this through to the Commission. It was noted that in addition to the proposed Commission, there is already a wide body of work continuing in this area, including the Nutrient Management Board and the local MP’s group ‘Save the Wye’, therefore it was also important to overlap productively with these bodies.

A further concern was raised in relation to capacity of the proposed Commission to deliver upon its objectives, particularly as it indicated that Cabinet members would be serving on it, adding to their already considerable responsibilities. The Leader suggested that the Cabinet are keen to demonstrate ownership of the issue and felt that capacity of Officers to support the Commission was a more significant issue. The Committee felt however that whilst understanding of the Cabinet’s rationale for taking political ownership, there were members of the Council with more knowledge of this area than some serving on the Cabinet, and it was felt that the membership of the Commission should be based on subject knowledge rather than seniority. It was felt that involving other members of the Council would also help to maintain political consensus and momentum. The Deputy Leader stated that it was recognised that the subject area is emotive and whilst the Cabinet were taking ownership, it was not their wish to exclude those members who could add constructive value to the Commission.

It was unanimously resolved that:

The following recommendations be submitted to Cabinet:

i)       That the proposed Cabinet Phosphates Commission on the Restoration of the River Wye include in its membership councillors from across the Council who have a particular knowledge of the subject matter; and

ii)     That the Cabinet ensure that every effort is made to promote active participation from neighbouring local authorities in the work of the proposed Commission.