The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced the composition of its new West Regional Board. A list of members and their biographical details is attached.

SEPA is Scotland's official environmental regulator, responsible for controlling pollution and improving the quality of the Scottish environment. Its main Agency Board is appointed by Scottish Ministers and SEPA appoints members to its three Regional Boards. As the terms of appointment of most current Regional Board members end in June 2000, SEPA advertised in the national press for new members and received a total of 425 applications. A copy of the text of the advertisement is attached for information.

Announcing the new Board membership, West Region Chairman Stan Dagg said:

"The area covered by SEPA West ranges from the rolling hills of Dumfries & Galloway, to the islands of Argyll, to the urban heart of Glasgow. Protecting the environment across this Region is always a challenge for SEPA - one which the SEPA West Regional Board can help us meet. We have selected 12 Board members from the 132 applications we received, and the selection process was not at all easy, because each applicant has so much to offer. However, I believe my chosen team is a good one, well able to tackle the challenges ahead.

"I would also like to thank the retiring members of the West Board, who have devoted so much time and effort to SEPA and who have made so significant a contribution to the environment of the west of Scotland."

SEPA Chairman Ken Collins added:

"Together, the three Regional Boards bring to SEPA an unmatched range and depth of knowledge, experience and skills. The input they are able to make to my Board's thinking is invaluable and I very much look forward to working with them."

The new Board members' terms of office commence on 26 June 2000. All appointments were made in accordance with guidance laid down by Scottish Ministers.

A list of Board members is attached, as is a copy of the text of the advertisement which appeared in the Scottish press in January 2000.

SEPA West Region protects the environment of Dumfries & Galloway, Ayrshire, North & South Lanarkshire, Renfrew & Inverclyde, Dunbartonshire, Argyll and the City of Glasgow.