Natural Resources Wales becomes operational

A new organisation aimed at sustainably maintaining, enhancing and using Wales’s environment and natural resources, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), officially kicked off operations yesterday (1 April).

The largest sponsored public body in Wales was first announced in May 2012, and comprises the work of the Environment Agency Wales, The Countryside Council for Wales and the Forestry Commission Wales.

The decision to combine the three services came about after a business plan, prepared in consultation with the three component agencies and the UK and Welsh governments, found that ‘an integrated ecosystems approach’ would deliver better outcomes to environmental protection, save a maximum of £158 million over 10 years by removing duplication between services, and improve the level of service offered to the customer.

Recently appointed Minister for Natural Resources and Food in the Welsh cabinet, Alun Davies, will be responsible for the organisation, which is Chaired by Peter Matthews and run by Chief Executive, Emyr Roberts.

According to NRW, the single body is ‘one of the first public bodies in the world that will consider social, environmental and economic benefits in the way it manages natural resources and improves the environment’.

Key Aims

NRW will now have responsibility for everything from issuing flood alerting to managing Wales’s national coastal path, which opened in 2012.

According to Chairman Peter Matthews, the organisation will focus on “maintaining important services that people and businesses rely on, like flood warning services, maintaining timber supply and protecting valuable sites”.

In its first year NRW also aims to:

• maintain and improve the quality of the environment through nature conservation;
• protect people and their homes from flooding and pollution;
• provide opportunities for people to learn about Wales’ natural resources;
• use natural resources to support jobs and enterprise;
• help businesses understand their environmental, social and economic impacts and;
• help make the environment and natural resources more resilient to climate change and other pressures.

The new body will have 2,000 staff, a budget of £177 million and will manage seven per cent of the area in Wales.

It is hoped that NRW will provide a better service for people and businesses as they will now deal with one single body rather than three.

‘More effective delivery and improved value for money’

Speaking about the official opening of NRW, Davies said: “The natural environment really is crucial to our economy here in Wales so it is vital that it is managed as effectively and efficiently as possible.

"The Welsh government has created Natural Resources Wales because we believe one body will result in a more streamlined way of working and will ensure more effectively delivery and improved value for money.

“The body really does have a crucial role to play and I wish Natural Resources Wales every success in its work to deliver better outcomes for Welsh people, Welsh businesses and our unique Welsh environment.”

Matthews added: “We face many challenges - for our communities, our economy and our environment. I believe that the natural resources we have in Wales can play their part in tackling them.

“The natural environment is worth £8 billion to the Welsh economy and as Natural Resources Wales, we want to build on this.”

Roberts further commented: “We will also begin to re-shape the work we do with a fresh approach and new direction – to make the environment do more for the people, economy and wildlife of Wales.”

An official event to launch NRW will be held on Wednesday (3 April) and will be attended by Davies, Matthews and Roberts.

Read more about Natural Resources Wales.