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.

If this is your vehicle, read the vehicle seizure notice to find out how to claim it.

More than 5 million people are at risk of the devastating effects of flooding in the UK, with thousands of properties at risk in the south west.

The Environment Agency is looking for enthusiastic people to help manage flood risk throughout the south west and make a real difference to people’s lives and to the environment we live in.

The Agency is looking for people from all walks of life to fill vacancies on the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC). Being an RFCC member is an exciting opportunity to help guide local flood and coastal management across the whole region.

The RFCC covers Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The successful applicants will play an important role in deciding on local priorities, approving programmes of work, and supporting the Environment Agency and lead local flood authorities in working with communities and other partners.

They will have a key role in balancing local priorities and making sure that investment is co-ordinated at the river catchment and shoreline scale, as well as promoting the consideration of climate change impacts in local decision making.

The Environment Agency is recruiting a member to represent land/country farming and another member to represent business interests.

Land/country farming

• provide a land management perspective at committee – working with the inland member and conservation members
• help the committee to understand issues affecting inland communities, landowners and farmers and how this impacts on river process and the coast
• monitor and review flood risk management and the river needing to be addressed
• provide a link between the committee, land management and farming groups in the committee’s area
• advocate good soil management with the farming sector to benefit flood risk and reduce diffuse pollution

Business interests

• experience in securing funding/investment from/for the private sector
• currently working in the business sector and understands the impact that flooding can have on private business
• established links to economic/regeneration institutions such as chamber of commerce, local enterprise partnership and other business leader forums

People from a wide range of backgrounds are invited to apply for the posts, especially those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and women who are currently under-represented on regional flood and coastal committees.

A key role will be ensuring the aims of the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy are embodied within the committee’s decisions and to ensure consistency between strategic and local plans.

Further information and how to apply is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/south-west-regional-flood-and-coastal-committee or contact pamela.udy@environment-agency.gov.uk on 02084 746298. The closing date for applications is Thursday 5 April at 5.30pm.

Specific targets sit behind the planned activity in our Business Plan. This report includes the status of progress against business plan targets. The report is based on reporting at the end of Quarter 2 2017 (end of September 2017).