Welsh Conservatives have highlighted serious concerns over the impending launch of the new single environment body.
The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 has today been briefly debated in the Assembly, ahead of the body’s official introduction on April 1st.
Shadow Minister for Environment, Russell George AM, has reaffirmed his concerns over the process of establishing the new body and the sizeable costs associated with it.
He said:
"There have been real problems with the creation of this body from day one and the April the First launch could yet make a fool of this First Minister.
"The entire process has been mishandled and steamrollered through with no regard for the people that matter.
"Serious concerns remain over the transparency of this process and the accountability arrangements of the new body.
"Fears have also been raised with me over the sizeable IT overspend, the shortfall in the new body’s pension fund, about the lack of communication with staff of separate affected bodies.
"I remain unconvinced that NRW is ready to take up the significant roles and responsibilities entrusted to it."