An environmental quango has been accused of using public money for “spin lessons” ahead of a grilling by a Holyrood committee. SEPA have confirmed using contractors to advise the body’s senior figures before today’s evidence session in front of MSPs.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “Frontline SEPA staff work extremely hard to protect Scots from floods, pollution and nature crime, but morale has dipped and budgets are tight. Regulators must set a good example, use public funds wisely and provide straight answers.”
SEPA has a key role in combating climate change and running the flooding alert system.
But while complaints about pollution to the regulator have increased over the last ten years, successful prosecutions for polluters have fallen. And despite budgetary pressures, two anti-flooding chiefs also walked away with nearly £500,000 in publicly funded golden goodbyes.
SEPA’s performance will be scrutinised by the Net Zero, Energy and Transport committee, with five senior figures including CEO Nicole Paterson and Chair Lisa Tennant facing questions.
The Record asked SEPA if they had hired consultants to advise the senior figures who are giving evidence.
A spokesperson said: “As our services transform to protect and support Scotland’s environment it is key we ensure the senior leaders in SEPA are highly skilled, professional and engaged public service leaders as they lead that change. SEPA’s programme to enhance leadership was agreed as part of SEPA’s organisational reset in 2023. Part of this programme includes working, when appropriate, with contractors ahead of key events to ensure our leaders are fully informed and equipped to best represent the agency. This is normal practice for public bodies and reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and delivery of high-quality public services.”
The statement did not confirm the cost to the taxpayer or the name of the contractor.
Lennon, a member of the committee, said: “Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament is a serious matter, and it would be wrong if SEPA bosses have prepared by taking spin lessons. If they have been coached by consultants ahead of a Holyrood evidence session, the cost to taxpayers should be declared.
“Many people continue to raise concerns about the performance of SEPA, and rightly feel frustrated that eco-criminals are not being prosecuted and that routine enquiries go unanswered.”
According to the latest annual accounts, Ian Buchanan, who was SEPA’s chief officer, received a £50,457 “compensation” payment and benefited from another £191,007 after the cost of an actuarial reduction in his pension was bought out.
David Pirie, who was Executive Director for Evidence and Flooding, will receive a compensation payment of £68,229 and a pension buy out of £178,935. The accounts say the total value of Buchanan’s pension was just over £1m while the equivalent figure for Pirie was £1.3m.
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