Our purpose
The purpose of the Nuclear Waste Services Working Group is:
- To scrutinise the operational performance of the Low Level Waste Repository against targets identified within the targets and performance plan.
- To scrutinise ongoing work relevant to the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme of work.
- To scrutinise the ongoing work relevant to the Nuclear Transport Services programme of work.
- To be made aware of any issues of concern to the local community related to the above programmes of work.
- To provide a forum for open and honest dialogue relevant to the above areas.
- To provide the opportunity to question NWS, NDA and the regulators on any matters relevant to the above areas.
- To discuss and question in greater depth any issues which may be raised at the main WCSSG meetings.
- Likewise, to escalate up to the main WCSSG any areas the working group feel require wider scrutiny.
- The Working group will have NO designated powers other than simple majority to vote for Chair and Vice Chair of the working group.
The Working Group provides a forum of local community interest in the activities undertaken on the LLWR site and the activities relating to GDF and NTS.
The membership of the NWS Working Group will reflect that of the WCSSG and as a minimum will include:
| Elected Members – (with voting rights) | |
| Cumberland Council | 1 |
| Local Town Council | 3 |
| Local Parish Councils | 3 |
| Total | 7 |
| Organisational representatives | |
| co-opted member – with relevant expertise – (not NDA, SL or NNL) | 1 |
| Isle of Mann Government | 1 |
| Sellafield Ltd | 1 |
| NDA | 1 |
| NNL | 1 |
| GMB union representative | 1 |
| Prospect union representative | 1 |
| Unite union representative | 1 |
| Youth group representative – apprentice / graduate / Young Exec | 1 |
| ONR | 1 |
| EA | 1 |
| Officer – Cumberland Council | 1 |
| NWS | 1 |
Organisations must nominate their own member(s) to provide continuity of contact. However, named deputies may attend meetings with the same rights as the members they are covering for providing that:
Each member has a proactive role to play in terms of ensuring relevant information gathered at the Working Groups will be fed back into the organisations that they represent.
Members need to take ownership of the working group and act in a professional manner at all times.
Members must convey the views and opinions of the organisations they represent and not utilise the group for personal gain.
Every two years, the Working Group elected members will elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman who are not employees of the site operators, NDA, or from organisations who financially benefit from site operators, ie: supply chain. Both elected members and non-elected members can be nominated to take up the position of Chair and Vice Chair. The Chair will have the casting vote in the event of no overall majority. At the first (set up) meeting, either the Chair or Vice Chair of the WCSSG will chair the meeting. The new chair will be elected by the voting members and in the event of a tied vote the Chair/Vice Chair will have the casting vote.
If required, the Chair or Vice Chair will respond to media requests for comment on issues related to WCSSG activities. When doing so, the Chair or Vice Chair will make it clear that they are speaking in their WCSSG role and in doing so are not representing the views of the WCSSG as a whole. Comments can be given that are relevant to the work carried out at the WCSSG or any of the Working Groups.
The Working Group will meet quarterly under the following conditions:
- Meeting dates will be pre-set dates – (to be determined at first meeting) and timed appropriately to enable feedback into the main NWS themed WCSSG meetings which are held on the second Tuesday in February and August.
- A meeting agenda will be circulated to members at least 5 working days in advance, together with written reports to be presented during the meeting.
- Meeting `note for the record’ – (no need for full transcript of reports as they are available to read), Q & A’s to be made available 15 working days after the meeting.
Changes to the Working Group constitution may be proposed by members for agreement by the group but require approval of WCSSG.
The Working Group secretariat will be provided by NWS and funded by the NDA but will receive direction from the Sellafield Working Group Chairman and Vice Chairman. The service provided will include:
- Organisation of meetings and administration
- Professional expertise to advise Chairman and Vice Chairman of potential issues / agenda items
- Preparation / sourcing of reports on behalf of NWS.
- Preparation of note for the record – to be cleared by Chairman prior to distribution.
- Distribution of information, reports and minutes to Working Group Members.