Environment Act 1995

16 (1) Without prejudice to the generality of its power to establish committees, SEPA shall establish committees (to be known as “Regional Boards”) for the purposes of discharging in relation to such areas as it may, with the approval of the Secretary of State, determine, such of its functions as it may, with such approval, determine.

(2) A Regional Board shall have a chairman who shall be a member of SEPA and appointed to that office by SEPA.

(3) It shall be the duty of SEPA to comply with such guidance as the Secretary of State may from time to time give as to—

(a) the number of persons to be appointed to a Regional Board;

(b) the qualifications and experience which persons (other than members of SEPA) should have to be eligible for appointment to a Regional Board;

(c) the descriptions of bodies which, or persons who, have a significant interest in matters likely to be affected by the discharge by a Regional Board of its functions; and

(d) how the membership of a Regional Board is to reflect the different descriptions of bodies or persons referred to in paragraph (c) above.

(4) Anything authorised or required to be done by a Regional Board by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above may be done by any member of the Board, or by any employee of SEPA, who is authorised (generally or specifically) for the purpose by the Board.

(5) Nothing in sub-paragraph (4) above shall prevent a Regional Board doing anything that a member or employee has been authorised or required to do.