PART 1Environmental governance
CHAPTER 2The Office for Environmental Protection
The OEP's scrutiny and advice functions
I128Monitoring and reporting on environmental improvement plans and targets
1
The OEP must monitor progress—
a
in improving the natural environment in accordance with the current environmental improvement plan,
b
towards meeting any targets set under sections 1 to 3, and
c
towards meeting any interim targets set under sections 11 and 14.
2
The OEP must prepare a progress report for each annual reporting period.
3
A progress report for an annual reporting period is a report on progress made in that period in or towards the matters listed in subsection (1).
4
An annual reporting period is a period for which the Secretary of State must prepare a report under section 9 (a “section 9 report”).
5
In reporting on progress made in an annual reporting period, the OEP must consider—
a
the section 9 report for that period,
b
the data published by the Secretary of State under section 16 that relates to that period, and
c
any other reports, documents or information it considers appropriate.
6
A progress report for an annual reporting period may include—
a
consideration of how progress could be improved, and
b
consideration of the adequacy of the data published by the Secretary of State under section 16.
7
The OEP must—
a
arrange for its reports under this section to be laid before Parliament, and
b
publish them.
8
A progress report for an annual reporting period must be laid no later than 6 months after the section 9 report for that period is laid before Parliament.
9
The Secretary of State must—
a
respond to a report under this section, and
b
lay before Parliament, and publish, a copy of the response.
10
Where a report under this section contains a recommendation for how progress could be improved, the response must address that recommendation.
11
The response—
a
must be laid no later than 12 months after the report is laid, and
b
may be included in a section 9 report.