Introduction to SEPA The Scottish Environment Agency For CaSPr Waste Workshop Glasgow 19 October 2006 Claudette Hudes NetRegs Team Leader

Who we are  Non-departmental public body set up by Environment Act 1995  Budget of £57m (05/06)  54% from Scottish Executive Grant in Aid  46% from charging schemes  22 offices  1220 staff

SEPA’s aim SEPA's main aim is to provide an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland that will both improve the environment and contribute to the Scottish Ministers' goal of sustainable development.

SEPA’s Corporate Vision “To be an excellent environmental regulator and a recognised and influential authority on the environment”.

SEPA’s outcomes  Minimised, recovered and well- managed waste;  Good water environments;  Good air quality;  Good land quality;  A respected environment: protected, informed and engaged communities; and  Economic wellbeing.

SEPA’s toolkit for protecting the environment We protect and improve the environment through:  Laws and regulation  Raising environmental awareness through education and partnership working  Environmental economics in considering costs/ benefits of our actions and economic instruments  The planning system  Advising Government, Scottish Executive and partners on environmental issues All underpinned by sound science and monitoring of the environment

Structure Environmental Protection and Improvement - To protect and improve the environment by the translation of SEPA’s policies into progressive action by others and through fair, environmentally sound, legally correct regulation and partnerships. Environmental Science – To monitor, assess and report on the state of Scotland’s environment, providing independent scientific data analysis and advice in support of SEPA’s duties and environmental outcomes. Environmental and Organisational Strategy - To lead SEPA’s environmental policy development and strategic and organisational planning and improvement activities.

Structure Secretariat - To support the chairman, chief executive, Board and its committees, regional boards and corporate management team and coordinate liaison with the Scottish Executive. Finance and Corporate Services - To provide a wide range of Corporate services to ensure effective resourcing and that financial controls, advice and reporting are in place to support all departments’ operational performance and achievement of corporate goals. Human Resources/ Organisational Development – To provide Professional advice and administrative services in areas of human resources, training, organisational development and health and safety. Communications - To ensure effective internal and external Communications and provide a PR, educational advice and stakeholder relations management service.

Corporate Vision “To be an excellent environmental regulator and a recognised and influential authority on the environment”.

To be an excellent environmental regulator What does it mean?  Effective and efficient – fit for purpose  Apply regulations in a proportionate, balanced, fair and legally correct way  Effective enforcement  Responding to complaints/ incidents  Base advice and decisions on sound science and monitoring of the environment  Promote best practice and influence operator performance  Engagement and openness  Provide guidance that is both flexible and consistent

To be a recognised and influential authority on the environment What does it mean?  Sample, monitor and assess Scotland’s environment  Provide clear, easy to understand, consistent and accessible information  Be credible, visible, effective and efficient  Provide expert advice based on sound science and understanding of the environment  Build our internal knowledge  Influence policy makers  Leading to an improved Scottish environment

In practice…..  We have achieved some water quality improvements 2 years ahead of target  Substantial fall in the amount of waste going to landfill – 14m tonnes in 1997 to 7.88m tonnes in 2003  Working with industries affected by the new Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) regulations to better understand the regime  We have been working with a variety of stakeholders to implement the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003

In practice…..  Continued improvement in the quality of Scotland’s bathing waters  We have exceeded our target for improving habitats in Scotland through raising awareness of best management practices  Worked with partners on successful initiative to reduce fly-tipping in Scotland – increase in registration of waste carrier applications

Conclusion This is SEPA! Any questions?