New Co-Chair for Nuclear Decommissioning Authority NGO Forum
Richard Outram has been agreed by members as the new co-chair of the NDA NGO Forum.
Richard Outram, new NDA NGO Forum Co-Chair
Richard Outram has been agreed by members as the new co-chair of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) forum dedicated to discussion with non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The Forum reinforces the NDA’s commitment to open, constructive dialogue, providing a platform for NGOs to engage with and question the NDA on strategic issues relating to its mission.
The NDA is the government sponsored body responsible for the safe and secure decommissioning of 19 former nuclear sites across the UK, and Paul Vallance, NDA Group Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Chief of Staff, is the NDA co-chair.
Richard has been closely involved with the Forum since it was established in 2022 and has served as its Secretariat. He is currently an Advisor to the Welsh Anti-Nuclear Alliance (WANA) and previously served as Secretary of Nuclear Free Local Authorities (UK and Ireland).
Richard said:
The Forum provides a valuable opportunity for NGOs to engage directly with the NDA and bring different perspectives to the table.
Constructive challenge and openness are vital when dealing with issues as significant and long-term as nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste. As NGOs, we are able to raise issues, questions and concerns with senior NDA representatives, including specialists in the field of nuclear decommissioning.
As co-chair, I want to build on the work of my predecessor, Rita Holmes, to improve our dialogue, broaden participation and ensure the Forum continues to provide a collaborative space for scrutiny.
Maintaining open and transparent dialogue with a wide range of external stakeholders is a key commitment of the NDA’s strategy.
John McNamara, NDA Director of Stakeholder Engagement, added:
The NDA is committed to openness and transparency and hearing from our many diverse stakeholders and developing greater shared understanding is hugely valuable.
The NDA NGO Forum meets regularly, with an annual site visit, and its remit covers the NDA group’s decommissioning mission.
Members include organisations opposed to the nuclear industry and representatives from regional NGOs around the NDA’s sites, and has included the Ayrshire Radiation Monitoring Group, Highlands Against Nuclear Power, Stop Hinkley, Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group, Nuclear Waste Advisory Associates and People Against Wylfa B.