Written statement (Wales): Interim Environmental Protection Assessor, Wales - Apr 1

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: Members of the Senedd, I announce that Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones, Interim Environmental Protection Assessor, Wales has decided to step down from her role. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude for all her hard work, leading with authority and helping us to ensure the functioning of environmental law in Wales is strengthened. While we are saddened by her departure, we wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.

I am pleased to announce that Lynda Warren, who is one of our current Deputy Interim Assessors has agreed to step into the Interim Assessor role enabling the transition to be seamless during this pivotal time. We thank her for her commitment and welcome her as the Interim Assessor. I wish her well in this role.

I have also appointed John Henderson as a new Deputy Interim Assessor to maintain the government's commitment to robust Environmental Governance.