Natural Resources Wales Progress Report

Transcription

1 Minerals Products Association Wales Planning Workshop 6 th March 2015 Natural Resources Wales Progress Report Trefor Owen Cyfarwyddwr Gweithredol/Executive Director Gwasanaethau Cenedlaethol/National Services

2 Who we are and our Purpose Who we are: Principal adviser to the Welsh Government on the environment, enabling the sustainable development of Wales natural resources for the benefit of people, the economy and wildlife. Largest sponsored public body in Wales with approximately 2,000 staff; we will have an operating budget of 177m and manage 7% of the land area of Wales. Advisory, regulatory, land management and enabling roles, including applicant. The only organisation in the world which has such a unique mix of activities in terms of managing, protecting and using natural resources. Our purpose: The purpose of the Body is to ensure that the environment and natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, sustainably enhanced, and sustainably used.

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5 Our Role in the Minerals Industry Wide range of duties as a statutory consultee, landowner/manager, facilitators of development and a regulator. Advisor on environmental impact and opportunities in line with Government (UK and Wales) legislation and policy. Determine environmental permits in accordance with Environment Act Prevent, minimise, remedy or mitigate the effects of, pollution of the environment. Decision maker has to consider, and take account of, our advice in making a decision. Decision maker balances economic, environmental and social factors as required by Planning Policy Wales, Technical Advice Notes and the relevant development plan.

6 Principles Engage proactively and transparently with the planning system and on regeneration and economic development initiatives Focus on and using the same natural resource evidence base throughout NRW and advice to strategic and spatial plans Encourage early engagement with developers Ensure our statutory advice is a reasoned single voice opinion, clear as possible, reached after due consideration, weighing our full range of relevant purposes, duties and guidance Objective, impartial and expert advice, based on good place-based knowledge using standing advice where appropriate.

7 Response Performance Presentation Title

8 NRW Planning Service Where are we now update Timeliness (1 July November 2014) Improvement in the number of responses submitted within agreed deadlines, due to: Development of an ICT solution for Planning Advice. Combined teams in North West Wales into the same office and initiated a LEAN process improvement project to support integration off the service. Reviewed our reporting capability of statistics on our planning advice. Finalised an external service level statement for our planning advice. Prioritised key elements of NRW s development planning guidance and instructions. Worked with PINS to develop an MoU equivalent for NRW on NSIP projects. Refreshed our programme of 30 projects to deliver these improvements.

9 Development Planning Service Statement What we aim to offer Early engagement Risk based approach Solutions based approach Structured and bespoke advice Transparency Cross boundary working Responding within deadline What we ask for in return Give a reasonable or statutory timeframe for response Be clear about aims & scope of meetings & advice sought Engage early on complex or large minerals projects Undertake relevant surveys & assessments Demonstrate how our advice has been taken into account Update us on project delays

10 Does our offer meet MPA s Customer Needs? Timeliness Communication Joined up communication between planning advice and permitting functions Clarity Standard advice for low risk cases /bespoke advice for large/complex cases Local/placed based knowledge Training and skills Early engagement with MPA Members

11 NRW Planning Service What next? Listening a speaking with our customers Organisational structures are being finalised Review our direction of travel Re-engineering (input, process, resources) Testing, implementing and monitoring Looking at new services For example Set out standards of service Developing MoUs for example with MPA Investigate options for charging for non statutory advice Low risk sites / standard advice Review what we are consulted on What good looks like Reducing internal handovers Outcomes monitor effectiveness of our advice? Seeking feedback and involvement on the above from organisations such as MPA

12 Outcomes Customers seek and act on our advice at an early stage so that the siting and design of new development is influenced, encouraging development which avoids negative impacts, is within environmental limits and sustainable. Decision-makers are taking natural resources into account as a result of our clear and well-targeted advice, so protecting these resources and achieving sustainable development. Opportunities for environmental enhancement are identified and delivered through the planning system. Improved relationships and customer satisfaction due to the quality and clarity of our responses and provision of the right information at the right time. NRW s role in the planning and permitting system is understood by our customers and stakeholders. Improved compliance with response deadlines.

13 MPA and NRW Conversation Six monthly meetings Memorandum of Understanding Evidence Sharing Opportunities for win wins for natural resource management Work together to develop a common understanding of natural resource management