Industry News & Views
Appointment of chief executive for Natural Resources Wales
Professor Peter Matthews, chair of the Welsh Government’s new body for managing natural resources in Wales, has announced the appointment of Dr Emyr Roberts as the body’s chief executive. The appointment took effect from 1 November.
After a career with the National Farmers’ Union, Emyr joined the Welsh Office in 1991 and was promoted to the senior civil service in 1997. Since then he has held a number of posts within the Welsh Government. Emyr is currently Director General of Education and Skills.
Prof Peter Matthews said:
“The interview panel was greatly impressed by the high calibre of applicants for this post and I am delighted to announce Emyr’s appointment. He brings a wealth of experience and skills to this important position. We have an exciting few months ahead of us as we establish the new body and launch it on 1 April 2013.”
Commenting on the appointment of Dr Roberts, the Environment Minister, John Griffiths said:
“I look forward to working with Emyr and Peter as they progress our exciting plans to establish a single body to manage Wales’ natural resources. The natural environment is crucial to the Welsh economy and it is vital it is managed as effectively and efficiently as possible to ensure the best outcomes for Wales and its people.”
Speaking about his appointment, Emyr said:
“I am delighted and privileged to be working for this new organisation, helping to manage Wales’ natural resources. My priority will be for us to ensure that the environment and natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, enhanced and used.”
It is a key Programme for Government action for the Welsh Government to bring together the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission for Wales as one organisation. The single body will become fully operational on 1 April 2013.
One single body will ensure the most sustainable and effective management of Wales’ natural resources. The transition from three environment bodies to one is estimated to result in benefits worth £158m over a ten year period allowing greater investment in frontline delivery of services.
Shortly after the appointment the Welsh natural resources body was officially named as Natural Resources Wales.
Non-Executive Directors
The Welsh Government has also announced the ten Non-Executive Directors who will oversee the new body.. Selected from 185 candidadtes, they are as follows: .
Dr Mike Brooker Rev Hywel Davies Dr Ruth Hall
Dr Madeleine Havard Harry Legge-Bourke Andy Middleton Morgan Parry Nigel Reader Prof Lynda Warren Sir Paul Williams
However, there is
concern that none of the persons named have engineering experience in flood or coastal erosion risk management, a major aspect of the new body's portfolio of functions. It remains unanswered who will speak up for those at flood risk in Wales once Natural Resources Wales is up and running on April 1 2013.
Blueprint for water report says Government are failing to tackle flood and drought risk
A new report has warned that the risk of both flooding and drought next year has increased because the Government is failing to fix Britain's broken water system.
The ‘Blueprint for Water’ report says it took the wettest summer on record to avoid serious water shortages this year and more dry winters will put the UK back on drought alert.
The report, produced by 16 leading environmental groups including Friends of the Earth, the Marine Conservation Society, the National Trust, the Rivers Trust, RSPB, Waterwise and WWF, measures the Government’s performance against the 10 steps to sustainable water by 2015.
The latest report scores ministers' performance no higher than a "C" grade in any of the 10 steps.
Carrie Hume, chair of the Blueprint for Water coalition, said: "Lack of action to fix our broken water system is a false economy.
www.fadsdirectory.com 7
"We cannot continue to lurch between flooding and drought which is damaging for people, businesses and wildlife."
The Government claims its draft Water Bill will improve the UK's water infrastructure by creating the conditions to "encourage innovation and reduce demand".
www.managingwater.co.uk
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