The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

The new Magnox socio-economic scheme has been launched, aiming to mitigate the impact of decommissioning on communities living near Magnox sites.

Mark Drulia, Magnox Communications Director, explains: "With the introduction of the Magnox Optimised Decommissioning Programme we were asked by the NDA to undertake an impact assessment of the work programme on Magnox sites and communities.

"We engaged with our stakeholders togather their views and, having taken these into account, delivered a Magnox socioeconomic plan, covering the period through to 2015.

"As we were developing the plan it became clear that in order to effectively manage a larger proportion of the NDA's socioeconomic portfolio, we needed to change the way in which we managed our funding.

"This led us to build a one-stop-shop web portal, which will invest funding on behalf of both the NDA and our parent body organisation EnergySolutions, providing a higher level of governance.

"Our socio-economic scheme will ensure that we continue to support our communitiesas they move through their lifecycle from generation to care and maintenance."

The socio-economic scheme replaces arrangements previously in place for both NDA and EnergySolutions funding across Magnox South and Magnox North and enables applications for all levels of funding to be assessed in the same way.

Jon Phillips, Communications Director at theNDA, said:

"The new delivery arrangements for socio-economic support will enable Magnox to manage a larger proportion of the socio-economic portfolio and is agood example of effective partnership working between the NDA, Magnox Ltd and EnergySolutions. We are confident that Magnox will now be better able to work even more closely with its communities, mitigating the impact of decommissioning as sites enter care and maintenance."

A socio-economic team, made up of members of the Magnox communications function, will manage the process and liaise with sites and site stakeholder groups on an ongoing basis.

To find out more, or to apply for funding, log on to the new Magnox portal at:

• Find out more or apply for funding on new Magnox Socio-Economic Scheme