The Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill aimed at streamlining the development and application of regulations for Scotland cleared its final parliamentary hurdle yesterday by securing Parliamentary approval.
The new measures include:
- Powers to make the delivery of regulation more consistent and help address delay or duplication.
- Implementing a new duty for regulators to contribute to sustainable economic growth supported by a Code of Practice.
- A primary authority scheme allowing businesses to receive tailored support from local authorities in relation to regulation.
- A new integrated framework for environmental regulation, to help simplify procedures for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and businesses.
- New enforcement tools to allow SEPA and criminal courts to better tackle environmental crime and be tougher with those who disregard their environmental obligations.
- Improving the performance of planning authorities by establishing a link between planning fees and performance.
- Speeding up the process of resolving legal challenges so the number of delays to offshore marine energy projects is reduced.
Commenting on the new provisions, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse said: “
This Bill takes forward our commitment to better environmental regulation and makes a key contribution to the Scottish Government’s purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth.
“Scotland’s environment is a vital national asset that is worth protecting; not only because of its beauty and contribution to our national identity, but also because it is vital to our economy’s success and the health and wellbeing of both our people and our wildlife.
“The way that SEPA works with business and other stakeholders can make a direct contribution to Scotland’s business environment. It’s clear that a healthy environment is integral to having a healthy economy. This Bill, which will bring efficiency gains to SEPA and to business, demonstrates the value in achieving this balance.”
Near-real-time microbial monitoring of wastewater discharge and bathing waters is now possible thanks to the BactoSense ID solution created by Swiss-based bNovate Technologies.
ABB has launched AquaMaster+™, a digital platform for smart water network management, designed to help water utilities monitor, analyze and manage their water networks, preventing pipeline water losses and optimizing operations.
Craig Nienaber, Business Development Manager for Safe Access Solutions (SAS) at HUBER Technology, explores why the company is seeing a growing level of interest in its safe access solutions for critical infrastructure providers, including their application in wastewater treatment assets.
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
Southern Water has released film and images showing what it’s like to walk inside Hampshire’s expanded Yew Hill underground reservoir for the very last time, before it gets filled with water.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.