ENVIRONMENTAL Standards Scotland (ESS) are asking residents in Dumfries and Galloway for their views on a new five-year strategy.
They have launched a public consultation on a draft of a new strategy that will set the direction of work for the organisation for the next five years.
The consultation will give organisations and members of the public with an interest in ESS’ role the opportunity to provide their views and help shape the final strategy, which will be submitted to Parliament later this year.
It sets out a clear framework for how ESS will ensure public bodies in Scotland are complying with environmental law, as well as how ESS will scrutinise the effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland, and how it is implemented and applied.
Residents in Dumfries and Galloway are also invited to participate in an online consultation session that will take place on June 19 with the organisation’s chief executive Mark Roberts, above.
He said: “Environmental law directly and indirectly impacts every resident, business and community in Dumfries and Galloway so we’re keen to hear from as wide a range of people and groups as possible. I would encourage anyone with an interest in our work to take part.”
ESS was established in October 2021 to ensure environmental laws and standards are adhered to in Scotland, replacing the European Union’s scrutiny and enforcement role after Brexit.
ESS has investigated compliance with a wide range of environmental law on issues including the management of special protection areas for birds, air quality and wrasse fishing. The organisation has also examined the effectiveness of environmental law in areas such as storm overflows, marine litter and soils.
