EA waste over 1m on refusal

THE Environment Agency has systematically time and time again thwarted any attempt to restore a mill on its waters on the Avon at Avoncliff, (EA waste over £500,000) continually pouring public money into its perverse attitude, with Tom Oliva writing:

This refers to the  processing of a water licence for a hydro scheme at Avoncliff North Mill near Bradford on Avon.

Over one million pounds

The EA have run up an internal bill estimated at over one million pounds and caused hundreds of thousands of pounds lost revenue and costs for the mill owner—but are obstructing mightily any remedial action.

The Agency is refusing to disclose the results of an internal investigation prompted by complaints from the mill owners, the project agent and the local MP. The agency has refused multiple Freedom of Information (FoI) requests and FoI reviews from the mill owners and project agent to see the results of a report that has a bearing on the case.

Will not give information

What is astonishing about the Agency's statements on the matter is that it certainly seems to be saying 'we won't give you information that might result in some of our officials facing criminal charges'.

When the present administration took office we were promised a 'bonfire of the quangos', but the mill owners at Avoncliff are waiting for a 'barbeque of the bureaucrats'.

Ombudsman

Some material is sort of embargoed at the moment — The Parliamentary Ombudsman's Office is proceeding with a full investigation — with full disclosure after unsatisfactory responses to their questions about issues at Avoncliff from the EA.

We have essentially given them copy approval on anything concerning their activities for the duration of the investigation.

We have just (Wednesday 24th April) received the result of yet another FoI review concerning the report—The EA have repeated its stance that they're not going to provide evidence which incriminates their officials. The Information Commissioner isn't impressed (at all!)—so we're grinding slowly forwards with their assistance—the EA seem to have ticked them off...