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Partnership marks end of first year
26/06/2009
The first annual review of SEARS (Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services) is published today.
It shows that to end March 2009 that have been:
- More than 2,000 fewer inspections or visits to land managers - achieved six months ahead of target
- £150,000 saving to sheep farming industry through the removal of groundwater licence charges
- A 24/7 contact centre and SEARS web portal up and running
- The opportunity for land managers to change personal information with up to nine organisations through one single contact
- The co-location of Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Government and Forestry Commission staff in a new Golspie office
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"From a very early stage, this Government made very clear its commitment to reducing bureaucracy and red tape in every area of the public sector and doing so for farmers and land managers was a top priority.
"This was always going to be a challenging task, with a cultural change needed in our public bodies, as well new working methods, staff training and better information sharing.
"However, I am delighted to see from its first annual review that the SEARS partnership is working very well and that the bodies involved are rising to the challenges.
"This time last year I committed to a 2,000 reduction in inspections by October 2009. I am very pleased to see that the reduction was achieved six months ahead of schedule.
"In these difficult economic times, the reduction of around £150,000 in costs to the sheep farming industry through SEPA waiving its groundwater charges was a welcome boost. This was made possible by SEPA's participation in SEARS and I welcome the commitment to repeat the waiver this year.
"This week's publication of the SEARS biosecurity protocol is another important landmark as it is vital that everyone involved in farm visits is up to speed with biosecurity measures.
"SEARS is an important development for Scotland's rural land managers and we can expect even more improvements in the years ahead as the bodies continue to simplify bureaucracy and reduce process delays."
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham added:
"It is absolutely clear to me that since its launch at last year's Royal Highland Show, we have taken enormous strides to improve delivery of services by Scotland's environment and rural public bodies. The benefits to customers are clear.
"This review draws together the highlights of the work undertaken by SEARS in its first year, as well the issues facing the partnership further down the line.
"As well as fewer inspections and time saved for rural land managers through quicker, simpler process, there is also better joining up with Scottish Government, SNH and Forestry staff now co-located in Golspie, with more projects of this nature in the pipeline.
"As SEARS moves to its next stage of development, I look forward to hearing more about its work and listening to feedback from its customers."
SEARS is a partnership comprising nine bodies which deal directly with Scotland's managers:
- Animal Health
- Cairngorms National Park Authority
- Crofters' Commission
- Deer Commission Scotland
- Forestry Commission Scotland
- Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority
- Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate
- Scottish Natural Heritage
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency