NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BOARD

17 Jun 2002 12:12 PM

Environment Minister Michael Meacher announced today that he has appointed John Edmonds & Dr Lyndon Stanton as part-time non-executive members of the Environment Agency Board.

Announcing the three year appointments, Mr Meacher said:

"The Agency plays a central role in protecting and enhancing the environment in England and Wales. The Board plays a leading role in determining its direction, inspiring the staff and ensuring that it discharges its statutory duties fully.

"I believe these new appointments will make an excellent contribution to the Board's work. John Edmonds has extensive knowledge of environmental matters as well as bringing his wide ranging Trade Union experience. Lyndon Stanton brings a long and deep knowledge of industry."

Notes To Editors

Biographical Details:

John Edmonds is the General Secretary of the GMB Trade Union. He is the current Vice President and immediate past President of the TUC and spokes-person on environmental and European issues. Member of the Executive of European Trade Union Confederation. With Michael Meacher he co chairs the Trade Union Advisory Committee on Sustainable Development. Non Executive Director of the Carbon Trust and of the Unity Bank. Vice President of the National Society for Clean Air and a Trustee of the Institute of Public Policy Research. Trustee of the NSPCC.

Previously a Non Executive Commissioner for the Forestry Commission and a Member of the Council at the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

John Edmonds is 58 and lives in Surrey. He is a member of the Labour Party National Policy Forum and Policy Commission on Education and Skills. His political and public appointments are outlined above.

Lyndon Stanton has recently retired as President and Chief Executive of Lyondell Chemical Europe (formerly Arco Chemical Europe). Deputy Chairman, The Churches Conservation Trust. Trustee and Chair of Finance and Audit Committee at the Phoenix Trust (A Prince of Wales initiative). Trustee at Earthwatch Europe.

Mr Stanton is 59 and lives in Berkshire. He holds no Ministerial Appointments other than the Churches Conservation Trust, and has not participated in any political activity for the last five years.

General

The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body, set up under the Environment Act 1995 to take an integrated approach to environmental protection and enhancement in England and Wales. It has major responsibilities for management and regulation of the water environment, and for controlling industrial pollution and wastes.

Board Members oversee the operations of the Environment Agency and are answerable to Ministers. Their primary aim is "to protect and improve the environment and make a contribution towards delivery of sustainable development through the integrated management of air, land and water". The Board must comprise at least eight members, but not more than fifteen, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. All members are appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, except one who is appointed by the National Assembly for Wales. The Agency has a staff of approximately 10,000. Its operating budget in 2001-02 was approximately £700m. More details about the Environment Agency's functions are available on the Agency web site at www.environment- agency.gov.uk

These appointments replace Alan Dalton and Tony Rogers whose appointments expired on 31 December 2001 and 14 May 2002 respectively.

Lyndon Stanton will receive remuneration of £14,260 per year on the basis of an average of 4 days per month spent on Agency business. John Edmonds will spend an average of 4 days per month on Agency business over the duration of his appointment. His precise remuneration will be determined on the time he has spent in any particular period, pro-rata to the figure given above. Both appointments will expire on 31 May 2005.

The competition to fill this post was carried out under the Code laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Commissioner is independent of the Government and was appointed to follow up certain recommendations of the Nolan Committee. The intention of the Code is to provide an efficient and transparent appointments system in which both candidates and the public can have confidence. More details concerning the Commission and the Code are available at
www.ocpa.gov.uk

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