PART 1Environmental governance
CHAPTER 1Improving the natural environment
Environmental improvement plans
I1I29Annual reports on environmental improvement plans
1
The Secretary of State must prepare annual reports on the implementation of the current environmental improvement plan.
2
An annual report must—
a
describe what has been done, in the period to which the report relates, to implement the environmental improvement plan, and
b
consider, having regard to any data obtained under section 16, whether the natural environment has, or particular aspects of it have, improved during that period.
3
In considering the matters in subsection (2)(b) an annual report must consider the progress that has been made towards achieving—
a
any targets, or any relevant targets, set under sections 1 to 3, and
b
any interim targets, or any relevant interim targets, set under sections 11 and 14.
4
The first annual report on the first environmental improvement plan may relate to any 12 month period that includes the day on which this section comes into force.
5
The first annual report on a subsequent environmental improvement plan must relate to the first 12 months of the period to which the plan relates.
6
Subsequent annual reports on an environmental improvement plan must relate to the 12 month period immediately following the 12 month period to which the previous annual report relates.
7
An annual report must be laid before Parliament before the end of the 4 month period beginning immediately after the last day of the period to which the report relates.
8
The Secretary of State must publish annual reports laid before Parliament under this section.