§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the role of the board of the Environment Agency and its regional committees. [26358]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe board is directly responsible to Ministers for all aspects of the agency's organisation and performance. We expect the board to ensure that the agency fulfils its statutory duties and to ensure propriety, regularity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the operation of the organisation.
Within each of its regions, the agency is required to establish an environment protection advisory committee and a fisheries advisory committee and to consult them about the manner in which it carries out relevant functions in the regions.
Each region also has one or more flood defence committee, which are responsible for carrying out all the agency's flood defence functions other than the issuing of levies, making drainage charges or borrowing money.