The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

NDA Chairman Stephen Henwood told the National Stakeholder Group meeting about a number of key developments which have taken place over the last six months including an update on the work to develop a new funding model.

He said: “Since the NSG in Edinburgh in May, I have spent time getting around the sites and I have now covered the majority of them. What I have seen on these visits is a huge amount of enthusiasm. We are blessed with having enthusiastic people within both the NDA and the contractor community to take things forward. I have met representatives of Site Stakeholder Groups and got a grip of what we are all trying to do – and there are plenty of challenges.”

On the issue of funding, he said: “It is a frustration we do not have all of the money we would like. Therefore we have to make choices. We need to recognise that Government is spending more on decommissioning that ever before.

“We are developing how our funding works. We are looking at how to remove some of the blockages in the system. We have produced a paper on the funding model and this has been submitted to Treasury. This would provide us with more certainty and flexibility but no more money. It is a funding model that more reflects what we do.

“In setting out our plan we need to be clearer about the medium term – looking at a 10-15 year horizon and setting out what would be different in 15 years time. As a result of this approach we will be able to articulate our plans to Government setting out what we can do and ask them to fund it. We would therefore be asking for long-term contracts. This is not unique; it already exists in the Ministry of Defence. This is the direction in which we have to head and we will share the medium term plan with you in the coming months.”

He said the NDA is in a period of transition – it is still pretty new. Ian Roxburgh established the NDA and his approach was what was needed to get started. The new CEO (to be appointed soon) will bring a change of style.

There is also a significant change with the new Parent Body Organisations coming in through the competition process. We will run the balance of the competitions in the coming months. We will move on to work with these new PBOs and it will be a challenge to us all.

How will we get value? Through a fresh approach. We know we will see an increasing focus on performance from the new contractors. Doing things right, and the right thing well.

He added: “I would encourage you to consider (in your discussions on the way forward for Stakeholder Engagement) that this, from our perspective, is a very real process. I am certain that the time we spend in this engagement process gives us better plans and is a fundamental part of what we do. What we have to consider is whether it is the best use of our time? You are the judges of that. We are encouraging you to think about that and the other options.

“A lot of you do this because we are handling things that you feel are important to your community and to the country as a whole. The fact that you are prepared to do that is something I, and the NDA Board, value hugely.”

Click here to view outputs from the 7th NSG Meeting