This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-42340157

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Natural Resources Wales' budget squeeze warning Natural Resources Wales' budget squeeze warning
(about 3 hours later)
Wales' environment watchdog needs more clarity from Welsh Government about its role and future funding, said its head. Wales' environment watchdog "can't be everywhere, doing everything as some people would expect" unless it has funding to do so, its head has warned.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) chairwoman Diane McCrea said it was being given extra responsibilities while its budget was being squeezed. Natural Resources Wales chairwoman Diane McCrea wants more clarity from Welsh ministers about their expectations under tighter budgets.
She warned there was a danger NRW would not be able to "fulfil its ambition".She warned there was a danger NRW would not be able to "fulfil its ambition".
The Welsh Government said the UK government's ongoing austerity agenda "means we all have difficult decisions to make". The Welsh Government said the UK government's austerity agenda "means we all have difficult decisions to make".
Year on year, the money NRW receives from Welsh Government to carry out its statutory duties - known as "grant-in-aid" - has been cut. NRW - whose responsibilities include rivers, forestry and regulating power stations - receives Welsh Government funding called "grant-in-aid" but this has been cut year on year.
At the same time, Ms McCrea said it was being given extra responsibilities.
The most recent budget settlement for 2018-19 sees another funding fall, with more anticipated for the following year.The most recent budget settlement for 2018-19 sees another funding fall, with more anticipated for the following year.
It means a real terms reduction of 35% for non-flood work and 20% for flooding since NRW was established. It means a real terms reduction of 35% for non-flood work and 11% for flooding since NRW was established.
To cope with the cuts, NRW has been working to "redesign the organisation", having already shed 500 staff.To cope with the cuts, NRW has been working to "redesign the organisation", having already shed 500 staff.
The process is expected to be completed by April 2019, with the hope it delivers £10m annual savings.The process is expected to be completed by April 2019, with the hope it delivers £10m annual savings.
Ms McCrea told BBC Wales that, in future, the organisation would "not be able to continue perhaps in the way that some people expect us to".Ms McCrea told BBC Wales that, in future, the organisation would "not be able to continue perhaps in the way that some people expect us to".
"We are working towards a reorganised structure, with multi-skilled teams based in different areas. But we can't be everywhere, doing everything as some people would expect."We are working towards a reorganised structure, with multi-skilled teams based in different areas. But we can't be everywhere, doing everything as some people would expect.
"It's about prioritising and putting our money where we can make the most difference.""It's about prioritising and putting our money where we can make the most difference."
River and fishing groups and the timber industry have been among those to raise concerns about the impact of funding cuts on NRW's ability to do its job.River and fishing groups and the timber industry have been among those to raise concerns about the impact of funding cuts on NRW's ability to do its job.
There had been "intense discussions" with ministers about where funding should be targeted.There had been "intense discussions" with ministers about where funding should be targeted.
But Ms McCrea said the Welsh Government needed to be clearer about what it expected from the organisation, especially in light of new legal obligations imposed by the Environment Wales Act and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.But Ms McCrea said the Welsh Government needed to be clearer about what it expected from the organisation, especially in light of new legal obligations imposed by the Environment Wales Act and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.
NRW facts:NRW facts:
NRW also wants to be allowed to raise more money by itself, capitalising on renewable energy schemes on its land, for instance.NRW also wants to be allowed to raise more money by itself, capitalising on renewable energy schemes on its land, for instance.
It also wants a longer-term budget settlement, instead of yearly funding decisions.It also wants a longer-term budget settlement, instead of yearly funding decisions.
NRW's chairwoman said: "We have a great ambition to deliver so many things across Wales, to improve the environment, to improve habitats, to improve the places where people live and work - and to sustain our economy.NRW's chairwoman said: "We have a great ambition to deliver so many things across Wales, to improve the environment, to improve habitats, to improve the places where people live and work - and to sustain our economy.
"But the danger is we won't be able to fulfil that ambition unless there's clarity and we can plan better to achieve that.""But the danger is we won't be able to fulfil that ambition unless there's clarity and we can plan better to achieve that."
The assembly's Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee made fears over NRW's budget the headline of its latest report.The assembly's Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee made fears over NRW's budget the headline of its latest report.
It warned of a "divergence in opinion" between the environmental regulator and Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths after she told AMs that funding cuts would not affect NRW's resilience.It warned of a "divergence in opinion" between the environmental regulator and Rural Affairs Secretary Lesley Griffiths after she told AMs that funding cuts would not affect NRW's resilience.
The committee has asked the Welsh Government to report back in six months, after carrying out a review of the capacity of NRW to fulfil its responsibilities.The committee has asked the Welsh Government to report back in six months, after carrying out a review of the capacity of NRW to fulfil its responsibilities.
Chairman and Labour AM Mike Hedges said he thought NRW needed to be "much keener on raising money and not just keeping hoping the government will provide".Chairman and Labour AM Mike Hedges said he thought NRW needed to be "much keener on raising money and not just keeping hoping the government will provide".
Mr Hedges added: "If we find that they haven't got sufficient funds when we reinvestigate it later in the year then, obviously, we will raise that with cabinet secretaries for rural affairs and finance."Mr Hedges added: "If we find that they haven't got sufficient funds when we reinvestigate it later in the year then, obviously, we will raise that with cabinet secretaries for rural affairs and finance."
A Welsh Government spokesman added: "We are working closely with NRW to find additional sources of income and, only last week, the minister opened their new testing and analysis laboratory in Swansea University.A Welsh Government spokesman added: "We are working closely with NRW to find additional sources of income and, only last week, the minister opened their new testing and analysis laboratory in Swansea University.
"This is an excellent example of collaborative working that provides great commercial potential for NRW.""This is an excellent example of collaborative working that provides great commercial potential for NRW."