Dame Glenys Stacey selected as preferred chair for Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)

Dame Glenys Stacey has been selected as the preferred candidate to chair a new independent body, The Office for Environmental Protection.

The Environment Bill will create a new, independent statutory body – the Office for Environmental Protection. It will have the principal objective of contributing to environmental protection and the improvement of the natural environment. Furthermore, it will provide the necessary legal authority to implement long-term environmental governance.

The OEP will provide scrutiny and advice on the implementation of environmental law. Plus, it will also monitor and report on progress against Environmental Improvement Plans and targets.

The OEP will be able to receive and investigate complaints on alleged serious breaches of environmental law by public authorities. It will also be able to take legal action in serious cases if necessary, as a last resort.