SEPA Launches First Annual Report and Accounts
Issued on 18 December 1997 - Ref 45/97

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) today published its first Annual Report and statement of accounts. This reports sets out the achievements and challenges that have faced the Agency since its inception.

During 1996/97, its first year of operation, SEPA’s main tasks were to integrate the delivery of regulatory functions while continuing the operations of its many predecessor bodies. In addition, it was necessary for SEPA to establish the correct structure, in terms of management, staff, policy and procedures, to ensure a sound approach to running the business and protecting the Scottish environment.

Most of SEPA’s work has been aimed at reducing adverse impacts on the environment, helping to achieve a more sustainable use of resources and minimise the production of waste. SEPA’s key achievements during 1996/97 included:

• reviewing the authorisation for Dounreay’s radioactive substances operation.
• conducting a River Habitat Survey for Scotland.
• establishing multi-disciplined pollution control and licensing teams.
• publishing the 1996 State of the Environment Report.
• establishing sampling, inspection and monitoring programmes for all environmental media.
• issuing a draft National Waste Strategy for consultation.
• developing an educational strategy.
• establishing links with industry and many partner agencies. Joint working initiatives included the development of a national Oil Care Campaign with the Environment Agency.
• establishing a website as a key route for informing industry and the public on environmental issues as well as on SEPA’s activities.

In his foreword to the report, SEPA Chief Executive, Alasdair Paton draws attention to the many successes achieved by SEPA: "We achieved a great deal during our first year of operation. We took up our duties in environmental regulation, enforcement and monitoring with vigour over a wide range of issues. Sampling inspection and monitoring programmes for all environmental media were established. A key achievement for the Agency was the formation of multi-disciplined pollution control and licensing teams.

He continued: "Although it has most definitely not been all plain sailing , SEPA is now, in many respects, in a much stronger position. In bringing together the regulatory activities necessary to safeguard the land, air and water, SEPA has been able to gain a better understanding of the many problems which face Scotland’s environment. This understanding provides a firm base on which SEPA can move forward."

ENDS

NOTES

1. The Annual Report covers the period 12 October 1995 until 31 March 1996, during which time the Agency was being set up, and the fiscal year to 31 March 1997, SEPA’s first year of regulatory operation.
2. The final Annual Reports of the river purification boards (predecessor bodies to SEPA), for the period 1995/96 were published by the Agency together with the relevant accounts in June 1997.

SEPA Press Office contacts

Press Officer: Maggie Hamilton. Tel: 01786 457724 Mobile 0370 686073
Head of Public Affairs: Monica Straughan. Tel: 01786 457723 Mobile 0421 942498

SEPA Head Office, Erskine Court, The Castle Business Park, STIRLING FK9 4TR
Tel: 01786 457700 Fax: 01786 448040

Contact SEPA Public Affairs at publicrelations@sepa.org.uk

© SEPA 1997