The Single Environmental Body (SEB) programme is currrently looking at the functions of the Environment Agency Wales (EAW), Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) and some of the Welsh Assembly's functions.
The Assembly says that the new Natural Environment Framework (NEF) will deliver a more integrated approach to managing the natural environment. The work of the SEB programme supports the new framework and puts the principles behind it into action.
Phase one of the programme looked at a number of options, including keeping things as they are and also different combinations of the three bodies.
The initial analysis showed that a Single Environment Body would:
- Be more effective;
- Achieve better environmental outcomes; and
- Have the potential to create significant savings that could be reinvested.
The analysis also identified a number of risks, including ICT and pensions costs and VAT status. From this work it was concluded that the best option was to explore creating a single body. Ministers took the decision in early 2011 to look at this in more detail.
Phase two is now looking in more detail at the option of establishing a single environmental body, including the form and function a new body would take and further work on the costs and benefits of establishing a single body.
The Phase two work will result in a detailed business case which will be followed by advice to Ministers later in 2011. Broad timings and next steps for Phase two are as follows:
- Now until October 2011 - Work on developing the business case;
- Late 2011 - Decision on the business case by Ministers;
- Late 2011 – early 2012 - Public consultation
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