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Councillor Mogford asked: Leader, QAAT dated 06/10/2026 In reference to recent changes to the Board of Directors of NEWPORT TRANSPORT LIMITED (Company number 01997971) As Business Manager for the Official opposition Party at Newport City Council I liaise with my Labour Administration counterpart, Cllr Mark Spencer particularly regarding ongoing vacancies and changes to appointments of School Governors and outside bodies, normally as and when they arise.. Meanwhile it has been reported widely that the Company above is selling its Corporation Road bus depot to Transport for Wales for £3.25 million through a strategic sale-and-leaseback agreement has introduced major management, financial, and strategic restructuring changes amid what are reported as ‘severe operational pressures’. Board of Directors Replaced: Newport City Council recently approved the removal of five existing directors (Cllr Mark Spencer, Cllr Kate Thomas, Cllr James Clarke, Cllr Malcolm Linton, and Cllr Beverley Davies) and appointed a new group of board members (Cllr Laura Lacey, Don Reed, Angharad Blayney, Silvia Gonzalez-Lopez, and Tracy Mckim). On this occasion in reference to the above when I questioned Cllr Spencer on the rationale/ background to these unprecedented changes he was hesitant to respond and suggested I ask you, Therefore, Question: Can you explain what the specific circumstances were that necessitated the removal as directors of five long standing Labour City councillors and the subsequent addition of Cllr Laura Lacey ( Cabinet Member for Social Services) and why, under the circumstances, I would have to escalate this question to you rather than have the dialog at peer to peer level, as in the norm? Councillor Batrouni responded: The question is addressed by the response to QAAT number 2026/52, which is as follows: “The rationale for agreeing to the depot sale is set out in the report to the Cabinet meeting dated 15th September 2026: “The Company and Transport for Wales have agreed terms for the sale of the depot at 160 Corporation Road for £3.25 million exclusive of VAT. The Company would lease the depot back so that it can continue operating from the site pending the introduction of franchising. The proposed acquisition will enable Transport for Wales to secure a strategically important depot for the future franchised network while preserving its continuing operational use. The Council is not itself selling the depot. The Cabinet is being asked, in accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association, to approve the transaction in the Council's capacity as sole shareholder because the depot is a significant Company asset.” The report also addresses the reasons for the changes to the board membership: “The proposed Board changes are a separate governance matter and are not a condition of the depot transaction. The Company is entering a period of significant regulatory and strategic change, as the transition towards franchising begins to gather pace. In view of that, it is recommended that the composition of the Board be altered, to provide a broader balance of governance, financial, commercial and strategic expertise to ensure effective oversight and challenge. It is therefore proposed that Cllrs Mark Spencer, Kate Thomas, James Clarke, Malcolm Linton and Beverley Davies be removed as directors and that Cllr Laura Lacey, Don Reed, Angharad Blayney, Silvia Gonzalez-Lopez and Tracy Mckim be appointed in their place, subject to the necessary company law formalities. The proposal is not intended to reflect adversely on the contribution of existing directors. Rather, it reflects the Council's assessment of the skills and capacity required for the next stage of the Company's development. The inclusion of the proposed appointees on the board would strengthen shareholder oversight, provide closer alignment with the Council's financial, legal and strategic responsibilities, and support effective challenge during the transition to franchising.” Cllr Routley will therefore note that his questions can be addressed by a review of the above-mentioned report to Cabinet.” Cllr Mogford is therefore invited to consider the above and the above-mentioned report, which addresses his questions.
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