Policy paper

Wales Office Outcome Delivery Plan (ODP) Implementation Committee Terms of Reference

Published 13 August 2025

1. Introduction 

1.1 The Wales Office ODP Implementation Committee (“the Committee”) oversees delivery of the Department’s Outcome Delivery Plan and operation of the Wales Office/Welsh Government Collaboration Hub. The Committee reports on its work to the Departmental Board and gives advice on appropriate matters to the Senior Leadership Team. The Departmental Board is able to remit matters for the Committee for its consideration. 

1.2 The Departmental Board has approved these terms of reference and will review them annually in light of the Committee Chair’s evaluation report (see section 8). 

2. Responsibilities 

2.1 The Committee has six main responsibilities: 

i. Overseeing delivery of the Department’s ODP and in particular the strategic priorities included within it. 

ii. Reflecting on discussions at the WO/WG Collaboration Hub, and drawing out key cross-cutting and systemic issues arising from engagement between UKG departments and the Welsh Government.  

iii. Advising on complex implementation issues and how the Department’s external engagement can support delivery of its priorities.  

iv. Advising how to reduce barriers to delivering the Plan. 

v. Scrutinising and advising on the Department’s allocation of resources and prioritisation of activity to ensure the Plan can be effectively delivered. 

vi. Ensuring the Department is collecting the data needed to track the metrics set out in the Plan and record progress on delivery of its strategic priorities. 

2.2 The Committee is advisory, reporting to the Departmental Board on strategic issues and overall progress and to the Senior Leadership Team on matters of executive responsibility. 

2.3 A particular feature of the Committee is the associate membership of Other Government Departments (OGDs) for the purpose of information sharing and collaboration, to support the shared endeavour of successful delivery of the ODP. 

3. Escalation and Reporting 

3.1 The Committee will report formally at each ordinary meeting of the Departmental Board. The Committee’s report will be a standing item for discussion at each ordinary Board meeting. The Committee will flag issues to the Senior Leadership Team as appropriate. 

4. Frequency 

4.1 The Committee will meet at least three times a year. Meetings will last (indicatively) for two hours. Additional meetings may be requested by the Board in agreement with the Committee Chair.   

5. Membership 

5.1 The Committee comprises the following members: 

• Lead Non-Executive Board Member (Chair) 

• Second Non-Executive Board Member 

• Director 

• Deputy Directors (Constitution & UKG in Wales; Policy; Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board Secretariat; Communications and Principal Private Secretary) 

• Head of Constitution team 

• Head of Corporate 

• Head of HR  

5.2 Collaboration Hub liaison points in Other Government Departments will be associate members of the Committee. 

5.3 The meeting is quorate when the Chair, Director and four other members, or their deputies, are in attendance. 

5.4 Members should make every effort to attend Committee meetings. If unavailable, they may nominate a deputy to attend in their stead by prior agreement with the Chair. 

5.5 The Chair may invite other attendees as required for specific meetings or specific agenda items at meetings. 

5.6 The Department’s propriety arrangements for members of the Departmental Board will also apply to members of the Committee. These include members upholding the Principles of Public Life and declaring external interests. 

6. Secretariat 

6.1 The Department’s Constitution team will provide the Secretariat for the Committee and will agree agendas and minutes with the Chair before circulating. Papers will be circulated at least three working days before meetings. 

7. Information Requirements 

7.1 Teams should respond promptly to requests by the Committee for information and data. Deputy Directors are responsible for the quality of their team’s input and the timeliness of response. Any analysis should be data-driven and evidence-focused. 

8. Evaluation and Review 

8.1 The Committee will evaluate its performance annually. The review will be led by the Chair, supported by the Secretariat. 

8.2 The evaluation will consider the effectiveness of the Committee in facilitating delivery of the Department’s ODP; identifying and resolving strategic barriers to the Department’s performance and delivery and the extent to which the Committee provides an exemplar for corporate governance. 

8.3 A summary of the evaluation and recommendations for improvement shall be submitted by the Chair to the Departmental Board for consideration and decision.