Wales is on course to create a single environmental body (SEB) that will hold responsibility for ‘sustainable and effective management’ of the country’s natural resources. The new body, yet to be named, will come into being in April 2013 and will be an amalgamation of the Environment Agency Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales.
The decision to combine the three services came about after a business plan, prepared in consultation with the three component agencies and the UK and Welsh governments, found that ‘an integrated ecosystems approach’ would deliver better outcomes to environmental protection, save a maximum of £158 million over 10 years by removing duplication between services and improve the level of service offered to the customer by having a single devolved Welsh body.
Environment Minister John Griffiths said: “As a nation we need to make sure that we live as sustainably as possible but we must also ensure that that our environment is managed in the most effective and efficient way… there is broad consensus that our decision to replace three bodies with one is the right one. They demonstrate wide ranging support for the principle of well-integrated natural resource management through the creation of a single body.”
The SEB will be a Welsh government sponsored body with an independent board. Its objectives will be broadly aligned with those of its three component agencies, and will: “ensure that the people and economy of Wales benefit from an increasingly diverse and resilient environment.”
The body is expected to employ approximately 1800 staff but office headquarters are yet to be decided. Although some roles may end up duplicated, the plans hope to be able to retain staff in different positions. Details regarding employment rules and pensions have not yet been released, though the Minister has personally written to staff who will be affected by the move.
An official order for the creation of the new body is expected to pass through Welsh government before the end of the month. Once official, a shadow body can be established to plan and oversee the transition.
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