The North Region Board of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) will hold its next quarterly meeting in Skye on Friday 30 November. The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Sleat and begins at 9.15am.

The board advises SEPA on

• developing business plans for the region
  
• implementing local initiatives for the environment, and
  
• considering applications which have major effects on the local area.
  

Regional board members also play an important role in promoting the work of SEPA.

Members include representatives of local authorities, industry, education and consumer interest. The chair is Professor Brian Clark of Aberdeen University, who is also a member of SEPA's main board. Looking ahead to the visit, Professor Clark said: "As the north region is so large and diverse it's important that the board uses this visit to Skye to learn more about SEPA's activities to protect and improve the local environment. While we are still a regulatory authority, we are increasingly building partnerships with many organisations to contribute to making Scotland more sustainable."

Agenda items include:

• quarterly performance and progress report
  
• corporate communications
  
• new Floodline service
  
• health, safety and welfare
  
• habitat enhancement initiative
  
• waste minimisation initiative.
  
  

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Copies of previous meetings' minutes and agendas are available from www.sepa.org.uk, along with information about board members. Copies of the agenda and papers for the day will be available at the meeting.

2. The meeting is expected to last until approximately 1pm. There will be interview opportunities with board members and SEPA staff at the end of the meeting.