Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Barbara Cannon.

To receive declarations by Councillors of disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests, other registerable interests and any other interests in respect of items on the agenda

No Declarations of Interest were received.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any items of business on the agenda.

RESOLVED that the press and public not be excluded for any items of business on this occasion.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting on 8 January 2024.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting be agreed as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 8 January 2024.

To receive a written update regarding Nuclear Sector Developments from the Nuclear Policy Advisor.

Nuclear Issues Update

(Non Key Decision)

Portfolio Holder: Leader’s Portfolio

Subject:

The Nuclear Policy Advisor provided the Board with an overview of the report detailing the Nuclear Sector Developments within the Cumberland area and highlighted some key aspects including special nuclear materials.

Four Members of the Council were in attendance as observers, during discussions the Chair invited the Members to ask questions and make comments. One of the observers queried the lessons learnt from South Holderness withdrawing from the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) siting process. The Nuclear Policy Advisor highlighted the need to ensure that the political position was clear to encourage support for the process. The difference between South Holderness being at the Working Group stage rather than at the Full Partnership stage was also noted.

A discussion was also had regarding GDF community benefits for all surrounding areas, and the Nuclear Policy Advisor noted that the GDF community benefit funding policy meant that it was only available to certain areas with other mechanisms of funding also available in West Cumbria. The Chair noted that a review of the policy would be welcome.

An Observer queried if a reason had been given as to why Cumberland were losing out on nuclear opportunities, which the Chair explained was a concern and the reasons for why were being discussed by all parties to understand fully.

Alternative Options:

To not note the Nuclear Issues Update.

DECISION: 

That the Nuclear Issues Update report be noted.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure that the Nuclear Issues Board was fully briefed on the Nuclear Sector Developments within Cumberland.

A report from the Nuclear Policy Advisor on implications and consultations.

(Non Key Decision)

Portfolio Holder: Leader’s Portfolio

Subject:

The Nuclear Policy Advisor provided the Board with an overview of the report, highlighting the need for Cumberland to have a flexible approach to not reduce the ability for possibilities for the sites within Cumberland and to support the responses from organisations such as Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum (NuLeaf) and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP). It was also noted that while having Moorside as a designated site was an advantage, other sites were also available, so the aim was to advocate for status and not change.

A discussion was had regarding the need for innovation and new nuclear within Cumberland, to build on and improve on both the positive and negative legacies from nuclear within Cumberland.

A discussion was also had regarding improving the language used regarding decommissioning and the GDF to help improve the views of nuclear and the economic benefits available from additional investment and potential transformations. The Regional Affairs Manager (Sellafield Ltd) also noted that negative language had an impact on recruitment and retention.

An Observer requested further clarity on the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) to which the Nuclear Policy Advisor highlighted the NDA’s mission for decommissioning. The Director for Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport then noted that Cumberland were working with the NDA to reflect and have conversations on strategy, the challenges faced though the lack of skills, workforce, and an aging population to help inform and fashion a way forward. The Stakeholder Lead – Cumbria (NDA) reiterated the importance of the ongoing conversations to all the NDA to explore all opportunities with Cumberland. The Chair agreed that the way forward needed to be clear to deliver for the community.

Alternative Options:

To not note the Civil Nuclear Roadmap to 2025.

DECISION: 

That the Civil Nuclear Roadmap to 2025 report and the summary of the Council’s approach to potential nuclear developments within Cumberland be noted.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure that the Nuclear Issues Board was fully briefed on the consultation on the Government’s Civil Nuclear Roadmap and the Council’s response to the consultation.

To receive a presentation from the Sellafield HR Team.

(Non Key Decision)

Portfolio Holder: Leader’s Portfolio

Subject:

The Regional Affairs Manager (Sellafield Ltd) provided the Board with an overview of the Sellafield position, noting that this item was raised due to an issue being noted at a previous meeting although unfortunately a member of the Sellafield HR Team was unable to attend to provide further information. The Regional Affairs Manager (Sellafield Ltd) then highlighted that the Sellafield Capability Plan 2024/25 to 2034/35 was currently being created and, once available, would be shared with the Board and further information could be provided upon request.

A Member highlighted some positives from the overview provided, such as recruitment reaching people within target estates, the large recruitment campaigns and the addition of apprentices. The Member asked for clarification as to whether the 300 apprenticeships was included within the 1100 recruitment figure. The Regional Affairs Manager (Sellafield Ltd) noted the need to make sure the entry requirements highlighted functional skills and were fit for the role and agreed to check to see whether the apprenticeship figures were included within the overall recruitment figure or separate.

An Observer queried if there were future opportunities in Sellafield to follow the Cumberland apprenticeship framework to all for vocational skills to be part of the apprenticeship. The Chair noted that Cumberland were working with Sellafield on that, to invest more in the scheme, especially though the care leavers work being undertaken. The Regional Affairs Manager (Sellafield Ltd) also highlighted the educational outreach work being undertaken with schools to help improve the attractiveness of the industry, something which hadn’t been required historically, but with the change in culture was now necessary.

Another Observer questioned whether there was a move away from qualification requirements, instead using assessments as part of the recruitment process, and whether this would help improve the number of those with mechanical jobs such as fitters. The Regional Affairs Manager (Sellafield Ltd) noted that vocational skills and relevant on the job skills were in much more demand than qualifications with large numbers applying when jobs for the shop floor and mechanical areas were advertised. The Regional Affairs Manager (Sellafield Ltd) also commented that there were struggles in all areas regarding recruitment, but that through the capacity of a number of issues, such as coping with the large numbers applying, would be addressed.

A discussion was regarding welfare within Sellafield, with it being noted that there are a number of groups driven by the workforce and supported by HR to look at welfare, mental health and events taking place. The Director for Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport commented that joint collaboration between Cumberland Council and Sellafield to understand the full complexity of the issues and create the appropriate way forward as part of a strategy.

Alternative Options:

To not note the Sellafield Ltd People Strategy Update.

DECISION: 

That the Sellafield Ltd People Strategy Update be noted.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure that the Nuclear Issues Board was fully briefed on the Sellafield Ltd People Strategy.

To discuss and agree the frequency of Nuclear Issues Board meetings for 2024/25.

(Non Key Decision)

Portfolio Holder: Leader’s Portfolio

Subject:

The Leader noted that this discussion would be deferred until further conversations could be had with the relevant partners on appropriate timeframes for reports which would work with the frequency of meetings.

Alternative Options:

To make a change to the proposed frequency of meetings without all the information required and need to amend the frequency again at a later date.

DECISION: 

That the frequency of meetings would remain as currently planned within the draft 2024/25 Calendar of Meetings.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure that the Nuclear Issues Board had the correct frequency of meetings required within the calendar of meetings.

The next meeting of the Nuclear Issues Board to be confirmed.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be confirmed once the 2024/25 Calendar of Meetings was agreed at the Cumberland Annual General Meeting in May 2024.