, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Has the Welsh Government directly incentivised airlines, yes or no?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Again, a question for Welsh Government: the former non-executive director suggested the Welsh Government has directly incentivised airlines. What incentives, therefore, has the Welsh Government provided? How does it balance doing this with the airport…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, a not-unexpected response. It's clear the key point is that he is no longer a non-executive director and perhaps feels freer to talk. This question is for the Welsh Government: the former airport non-executive director also noted the Welsh Government’s…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. The last few questions from me: in an opinion piece, published in WalesOnline in August, a former airport non-executive director said, 'Reading between the lines, I judge that Cardiff Airport is in serious trouble now.' How do you respond, and what are…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
So, technically, it is non-binding. Is that correct?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. You made a few references to offering to provide some information in private session. Our clerking team will follow up with you over proposed dates and times on that. We understand that the CMA report will be non-binding. Is that your understanding…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay—
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Well, committee will consider that in its own private session and the clerking team will follow up on the committee's decision then. So, are you, therefore, not able to tell us what areas of information, without being specific about information itself, would…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Thank you very much indeed. Clearly, a plan is only a draft plan until it incorporates the who, what, why, when, where and how, and, clearly, the CMA conclusions are going to be key to that, as you've indicated. Mr Slade, you've committed to provide…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, thank you. Natasha Asghar, over to you.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you. I would corroborate Mike's point that, for reasons of proximity and convenience, in north Wales, John Lennon in Liverpool and Manchester will remain the airports of choice unless people happen to be travelling to Cardiff as part of their itinerary…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Can I intervene? We're running horribly short on time. We will, I think, have to move on, if Mike's content with that.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Yes.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Diolch. Thank you. Can I bring in Mike Hedges to take up the questions, please?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Thank you. If I can bring in Adam Price, who will take up the questions now.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you very much. Could I just ask a question very briefly on that final point, in terms of disability and people with hidden impairments, perhaps neurodevelopmental conditions, neurodiversity or sensory loss, in addition to those who have physical…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, thank you for your response. Can I now bring in another Member to take up the questions, Rhianon Passmore?
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay. Thank you. I'll move on, if I may, with a question to Mr Birns and Mr Harvey. Companies House records show that, in May of this year, Jonathan Stott, the finance director and board company secretary, resigned from the airport board. The records show…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
The Holdco board.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you for sharing that. This particular question was very much focused on what measures the Welsh Government will implement and on what timescales, to monitor the performance of the board itself. I understand from the initial responses that there's an…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you, yes.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Okay, thank you. Well, again, a question to the Welsh Government, following on from that. How will the Welsh Government assess the performance of the new Holdco board, including ensuring that there are no apparent conflicts of interest manifesting themselves…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you, yes.
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you. One of the new executive directors appointed to the Holdco board in January of this year served as a non-executive director on the airport board for 10 years until May 2023. In making the appointment, how has the Welsh Government balanced perceived…
, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee
Evidence Session: Cardiff Airport
Thank you. Is the Holdco board now complete?
