Support for RWM's engagement with local authorities on matters involving disposal of higher activity radioactive waste

Support for RWM's engagement with local authorities on matters involving disposal of higher activity radioactive waste Radioactive Waste Management (RWM)

RWM is the delivery body for a geological disposal facility (GDF) in the UK. Our goal is to find a suitable site and a willing community. Government policy gives a clear and vital role to principal local authorities in England and Wales, i.e. county, district and unitary authorities. RWM is looking to work with an organisation that can give it detailed knowledge of local political structures and issues as well as providing introductions to local authority elected members and officials.

The selected organisation will need to have an in-depth understanding of the issues surrounding radioactive waste from a local authority point of view - including community engagement, planning and regulatory aspects. It will need to be able to identify the key personnel in each local authority that RWM needs to interact with, and to facilitate that interaction through introductions and, where necessary, attendance at meetings with authorities.

It will need to have access to - and engagement with - local authority bodies such as the Local Government Association, the Welsh Local Government Association, the County Councils Network, the District Councils Network and the National Association of Local Councils. The organisation will be expected to support our engagement with the local authority sector through relevant events over the course of the year, helping us to identify suitable opportunities, develop materials and messaging, as well as participating at the events. We will also want the organisation to have familiarity with, and access to, relevant civil servants in the UK and Welsh governments, as well as other relevant organisations in the UK and abroad.

The selected organisation will be expected to advise RWM as it develops its programme of work and engagement as well as providing opportunities for RWM to test its messaging with local authority audiences. The organisation will be expected to draw on its own knowledge of the local authority sector in order to suggest ways in which RWM can increase the effectiveness of the siting process for geological disposal.

Organisations wishing to express an interest should contact: Simon Napper, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, RWM, via email at simon.napper@nda.gov.uk Please provide information about your organisation and also about your previous work in this area.