Environment Agency (Hansard, 20 July 1999)

§ Mr. Meacher

The current chairman of the Environment Agency, Lord De Ramsey, has announced his intention to retire at the beginning of next year.

I have appointed recruitment consultants to assist in identifying suitable candidates to succeed Lord De Ramsey, and the post is being advertised in the national press.

This is a key appointment. The Environment Agency plays a central part in protecting and enhancing the environment in England and Wales. It has major responsibilities for managing and regulating the water environment, and for controlling industrial pollution and wastes. The role of chairman in determining the strategic direction of the Agency, inspiring its staff, and ensuring that it discharges its statutory duties is vital to the continued improvements in the environment which we are seeking.

The successful candidate will need to have the skills, experience, ability and vision to lead a major public sector organisation with a budget of over £600 million per year and over 9,000 employees, and to develop a successful relationship with the wide range of bodies who have

Illustration of costs for 400 resignations
£
Year	Gross costs to be met from CC income	Housing capital (funded by CC)	Net costs for church	Net housing capital (funded by CC)
1994	2,609,000	5,011,000	904,000	5,011,000
1995	3,282,000	2,094,000	¹1,841,000	1,745,000
1996	2,886,000	952,000	¹1,435,000	232,000
1997	2,424,000	636,000	¹1,099,000	(159,000)
1998	2,363,000	399,000	¹1,165,000	(788,000)
1999¹	1,979,000	317,000	1,006,000	(127,000)
2000¹	1,669,000	231,000	923,000	(231,000)
2001¹	1,499,000	137,000	972,000	(206,000)
2002¹	1,248,000	36,000	917,000	(179,000)
2003¹	996,000	37,000	796,000	(186,000)
2004¹	729,000	0	626,000	(309,000)

488W

dealings with the Agency. I welcome interest from people, from all sectors of the community, who measure up to the special and demanding requirements of this appointment.