Our purpose
The primary purpose of the WCSSG Enablers Working Group is to provide an overview of strategic plans of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and its constituent elements* that have the potential to impact upon the West Cumbrian community. The groups’ purpose will also be to apply scrutiny to the work undertaken by the NDA at a strategic level.
Our scrutiny will apply to the following areas as a minimum, but will apply to any area the community feels is of significance to the local community:
- NDA Strategy
- NDA Social Impact Strategy
- National narrative on Waste Management
- NDA owned land outside of the Sellafield site
- National consultations on Government policy on waste hierarchy
Note: constituent elements* for the purpose of this document are:
- Sellafield Ltd
- Nuclear Waste Services
- Nuclear Transport Services
- Nuclear Restoration Services
On behalf of the WCSSG, the working group will also facilitate consultations that the WCSSG wish to provide a response to, this will involve as a minimum:
- Initial liaison with relevant body who is holding the consultation
- Creating a process to ensure involvement from all the WCSSG working groups and ensuring each group has the time, knowledge and support to provide their views
- Create an initial draft response based on input from all working groups
- Source approval and officially submit on behalf of WCSSG Indicating to NDA and Sellafield Ltd where we would like to see action or feedback and then following through to ensure this is delivered appropriately and to the agreed timescales.
In order to fulfil the requirements outlined above the group will endeavour to:
- Review NDA and their constituent elements Business Calendars to decide where and when WCSSG scrutiny should be carried out.
- Request early drafts of relevant documents
- Request expert input as required to help understand key issues.
- Challenge NDA when appropriate
- Raise concerns with NDA
- Raise concerns and challenge at a higher level if necessary
The terms of reference will be reviewed every two years.
Chair and Vice Chair
The Chair and Vice Chair of the Enablers working Group will be voted for bi-annually ideally at the same time as reviewing the terms of reference, or earlier if the incumbent Chair or Vice Chair wish to leave the position.
The vote for chair will be via simple majority and nominees will be accepted from the Enablers Working Group. There will be no limit to the number of times the Chair or Vice Chair is voted into the position.
Note: The Chair or Vice Chair position cannot be occupied by employees of the NDA or it’s constituent elements.
Membership
The membership organisations of the Enablers Working Group will be taken from the main WCSSG membership – ideally as a minimum the membership will consist of individuals from:
- Parish Councils
- Town Councils
- Cumberland Council
- Co-opted members – (these will be co-opted for their expertise in specific areas)
- Union representatives
- NDA and its constituent elements
- Graduate or apprentice from NDA or its constituent elements
Meetings
Group Meetings will be scheduled quarterly and will take place on the last Monday in January, April, July and October
It is recognised however that additional meetings will be convened if the above timings are not aligned to a programme of work the Working Group needs to deliver.
Both NDA and its constituent elements will provide in a timely manner the key Business documents which the Enablers Group needs to meet its accountabilities.
The group meetings will be supported routinely by the WCSSG Secretariat.
The Chair of the Group will report progress to the WCSSG throughout the year at the WCSSG main meetings.