Newsroom | Releases/Statements | Archive | 1998 | 'SEPA Issues Consultations On Revised Charging Schemes'

SEPA Issues Consultations on Revised Charging Schemes
Issued on 24 November 1998 - Ref 45/98

SEPA has issued Consultation Documents on the following proposed revisions of its Charging Schemes for environmental licences, discharge consents and authorisations. These charge increases are to move SEPA towards full cost recovery, in line with Government’s ‘polluter pays’ principle. Subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Scotland, the revised charges would take effect on 1 April 1999.

Waste Management Licensing Fees and Charges

Applications, modifications, surrender and transfer charges to increase 3%.
Subsistence charges to increase by 25%.

Fees for Registration of Carriers of Controlled Waste, Scrap Metal Dealers and Dismantlers and Brokers

Registration of carriers and brokers increase from £114 to £117.
Renewal increase from £78 to £80.
Registration of brokers where already a registered carrier to increase from £30 to £31.
Registration of exemption for scrap metal dealers and vehicle dismantlers to increase from £480 to £495.
Annual inspection fee to increase from £180 to £185.

Integrated Pollution Control (Part A) Authorisations

Application charges unchanged.
‘Substantial variation’ charge to increase 126% to £2803.
Subsistence charge to increase 94.4% to £1215 per component.
Aquatic discharge monitoring (as CoPA, see below).
Air emission monitoring, a new banded scheme.

Air Pollution Control (Part B) Authorisations

Application charges unchanged.
Subsistence charges for small waste oil burners and service stations unchanged.
General subsistence charge to increase 3% to £824.

Control of Pollution Act Discharge Consents

Application charges rise 4% to a standard fee of £546 and a reduced fee of £78. (Note this is not subject to consultation as the increases are embodied in the current scheme.)

Annual subsistence charges to increase 42% in 1999/2000 to a Financial Factor of £315. Further increase in 2000/2001 to £410, plus minor modifications to the contents banding categories.

Responses to the consultation documents are to be made in writing to the Scottish Office by 8 January 1999, to:-

Mr. Ian McDougall
The Scottish Office
Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Dept.
Environment Protection Unit Area 1J
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ

Groundwater Regulations 1998

A scheme of Application and Annual Charges will be issued for consultation later this week. The date for responses will be 23 December 1998, again in writing to the Scottish Office.

NOTES

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) was established under the Environment Act 1995. Its main duty is to protect the environment by controlling pollution to land, air and water in Scotland.

This includes:

Radioactive substances: regulating the use and disposal of radioactive substances; holding the national register for the use and disposal of radioactive substances; controlling discharges of radioactive waste from nuclear installations; managing the UK Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET) in Scotland.
Air quality: contributing to the Government's national air quality strategy; working with Local Authorities on local air quality standards.
Waste management: preparing a national waste strategy; regulating the movement and disposal of waste; advising on contaminated land.
Water quality: controlling discharges to freshwater, tidal waters, and groundwater; conserving water resources; gauging river flows; advising planning authorities on flood risk and flood warning schemes.
Integrated Pollution Control: controlling discharges to land, air and water from large, complex industrial processes.
General duties: providing public access to information; contributing to sustainable development; environmental conservation; considering social and economic needs; environmental monitoring, the scientific analysis; surveys and research.

SEPA Press Office contacts

SEPA Public Affairs team - Direct telephone numbers: 01786 457723/4 Fax: 01786 448040

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