Written question WQ99178
- Asked by
- Paul DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
Further to WQ99028, what consideration has the Cabinet Minister given to whether Natural Resources Wales has the powers and resources it needs to take effective action on non-compliance issues in relation to landfill sites in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability (Llyr Gruffydd)
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has statutory powers to address non-compliance, including issuing enforcement notices, varying or suspending permits, and pursuing prosecutions where appropriate. Its enforcement activity is guided by its Enforcement and Sanctions Policy, and it works closely with partners such as local authorities, the police and the Welsh Revenue Authority to tackle non-compliance and wider waste crime.
The Welsh Government has provided additional funding in recent years to strengthen NRW’s regulatory capacity, including support for a dedicated waste crime function and the development of intelligence-led enforcement approaches. However, I recognise concerns from communities living near landfill sites, particularly regarding odour and other nuisance impacts.
Officials work closely with NRW to assess its operational requirements and ensure it has the necessary capacity, skills and resources in place to discharge its regulatory duties effectively.