The Environment Agency has 12 corporate measures. These are:

• the water environment is healthier
• we protect people, the environment and wildlife by reducing serious pollution incidents
• we create new habitats
• we reduce the number of high risk illegal waste sites
• we reduce the risk of flooding for more households
• we maintain our flood and coastal risk management assets at or above the target condition
• we have a first class incident response capability
• we manage our money efficiently to deliver our outcomes
• we respond to planning applications within 21 days
• we reduce our carbon footprint
• we have a diverse workforce
• we provide a safe place to work

Our corporate scorecard shows a high level overview of our performance against our environmental and business aims.

The scorecard is reported every 3 months to executive directors, the board, Defra, and is made public on GOV.UK.

Targets are set for each of these measures. For each measure, we show how we’re currently performing and whether or not we’re on track to achieve our target performance by the end of the year. Each measure has a more detailed ‘insight report’ that tells the story of how we’re performing as well as showing trends and future forecasts.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) sets monthly catch limits for quota species to ensure the UK stays within the overall limit set by the EU. These limits apply to all under 10 meter vessels and the over 10 meter vessels that are not in a co-operative (Producer Organisation).

Please contact the MMO if you have any comment to make about the suggested catch limits which will be put into force on 1 February 2018.

Comments to be received no later than 11:45pm on Sunday 25 February 2018.

The MMO will regularly consult industry on monthly or other catch limits and will, wherever possible, ensure that any representations are taken into account when setting such limits. The MMO reserve the right to alter catch limits and / or close fisheries without prior notice or consultation in the event that such actions are necessary and expedient for the regulation of sea fishing.

The Environment Agency gives notice that it proposes to carry out improvement work to the gauging station on the Tory Brook at Newnham Park, Plymouth (NGR SX 55150 57654). The proposed improvement works will involve:

• river bed stabilisation
• erection of a kiosk to house telemetry equipment

This is in accordance with Regulation 5 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Land Drainage Improvement Works) Regulations 1999 as amended by SI 2005/1399 and SI 2006/618.

The Minister of Tolerance, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, together with the British Ambassador to the UAE, today planted a tree in the grounds of the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi to commemorate the Year of Zayed.

Planted in the garden of the Ambassador’s Residence, the ghaf tree, the national tree of the UAE, is a celebration and a reminder of the leading role that the late Sheikh Zayed played in greening the UAE and seeking environmental sustainability. The Ambassador and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan were joined for the event by staff from the Embassy.

The plaque which stands in front of the tree includes a fitting quote from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which reads: “They used to say that agriculture has no future, but with God’s blessing and our determination, we have succeeded in transforming this desert into a green land.”

Speaking at the event, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan said:

Our country’s national tree sending its roots deep into the garden of the British Embassy in our capital city of Abu Dhabi would have delighted our nation’s late founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. No one was more devoted to our environment than Sheikh Zayed.

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the UAE, Philip Parham said:

The tree, as well as being an emblem of the UAE, is a very appropriate symbol for this celebration. First of all, because Sheikh Zayed hugely valued the environment which is a key part of his legacy. Secondly, because it will endure for years and years and send a positive message to our successors and future generations on Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and the enduring relationship between the UK and UAE.