Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are special sites designated under the EU Birds Directive to protect rare, vulnerable and migratory birds.

The proposal is to extend the existing Upper Solway Flats and Marshes Special Protection Area (SPA) to create the Solway Firth SPA.

The proposed new boundary will include and protect the internationally important wintering populations of:

• red-throated diver
• common scoter
• goosander

The site is mainly situated in Scottish inshore waters. Scottish Natural Heritage will lead the consultation. See the details on their website using the link above.

We want to know whether you think there should be a Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) compliance fee set for 2016. We also want to know your thoughts on the two proposals we’ve received for how the fee should be managed in 2016.

The use of a compliance fee and how it is administered is agreed annually. Companies that don’t meet their annual collection targets can comply with the 2013 WEEE Regulations by paying the compliance fee instead.

List of approved manufacturers and models under the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS).

It should be noted that expressions of interest or bids are not sought against opportunities listed in the Collaborative Procurement Plan itself.

Opportunities will appear in the Official Journal of the European Union or on the CTM website under ‘Public Opportunities’, at which time you should respond to the named contact with the information requested.

We want to know what you think about our proposals to improve how the UK queen scallop fishery is managed in future. These improvements will help protect queen scallop stocks and build on the data and evidence we collect.

The proposals include increasing the minimum size of scallop that can be retained and options for restricting access to the fishery.