17 February 2016

Dear Emyr,

Welsh Government budget allocation to Natural Resources Wales for 2016-17

On 21 January 2016, we questioned the Minister for Natural Resources on the budget reduction planned for NRW in 2016-17.

You will be aware that we have raised concerns previously about the level of resource that is being made available to NRW, especially in light of the increased duties it will be responsible for under the suite of legislation passed during this Assembly (though we note that the Minister has assured us that these are not additional duties, but rather a different way of operating).

In responding to the Finance Committee, we committed to writing to you in order seek your view on implications for NRW of this budget settlement.

In particular, we would be grateful for further details of the services that might now be operating at greater risk and whether any work streams have had to be delayed, re-profiled or stopped altogether.

We would also appreciate your view on any future financial pressures that NRW might face and that you are planning for.

Yours sincerely,

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Alun Ffred Jones AM
Chair of the Environment and Sustainability Committee