To provide an update on health and safety, staff and resources.

1.1 There have been no incidents to report.

1.2 The Finance/Admin Officer Mr. John Davies has now reduced his hours to 1 day per week. Mrs. Kathryn Atkins is covering the remainder of the post as a job share and is working 2-3 days per week as required. This arrangement is proving to be cost effective and efficient.

1.3 Ms. Carolyn Williams made a good recovery following her operation in late December and returned to work in early February.

1.4 The CCW grant for the post of Welsh Biodiversity Officer has been extended for a further year. Ms Vickie Hickin has received a contract extension to March 2009.

1.5 Lancaster University is now proceeding with development of the proposed new sports centre on the site of the Lancaster offices. Construction may commence as early as June 2008 so new premises are being sought urgently. The University is searching for alternative accommodation on campus and other possible options in the Lancaster area are under investigation.

1.6 If at all possible, Offices would favour continuing to have premises in Lancaster University. The link with the University provides valuable access to research literature and expertise and involvement with project work at both under graduate and post graduate levels is beneficial to the Committee and the University.

1.7 The Committee has a considerable number of its staff based in Wales. These are the Principal Fishery Officer, 3 Fishery Officers who work from home, the ‘Aegis’ crew of 3 staff based in the Conwy area and the Welsh Biodiversity Officer.

1.8 Officers are reviewing the merits of giving the Committee a stronger presence in North Wales. A dedicated office would provide a focus for the Committee’s regulatory and enforcement activities in North Wales and the collection of fisheries data and information. It would also facilitate better co-ordination of the work of the North Wales staff and improved communication both internally and with partner organisations such as CCW and MFA. Together with reduced travel costs between Wales and Lancaster these benefits should lead to a significant gain in efficiency.

1.9 At present the Biodiversity Officer has a shared office in Bangor University. It may be possible with the agreement of the University to expand this arrangement to provide further shared office space for the PFO and other Welsh officers to use as required. Staff from Lancaster such as the CEO and the Senior Scientist who regularly visit North Wales and would also use thee office facilities. A stronger involvement with the fisheries research expertise in Bangor University would be particularly valuable.

1.10 In view of the impending changes in inshore fisheries management in both England and Wales it would be appropriate at this time to establish a North Wales office as a focus for inshore fisheries management.

1.11 If the Committee is in agreement with this proposal, Offices will further investigate the option to set up an SFC office within the Department run by Prof. Mike Kaiser who is supportive in principle.