Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM)

Appointment of Members

Candidate Pack

Closing date for receipt of applications: 18th March 2016

Contents Page

How to make an application 2

The Commissioner for Public Appointments 2

How to apply 2

The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) 4

About the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) 4

Roles and responsibilities 5

Qualities and experience required 5

Terms and conditions of appointment 7

Selection Criteria 7

How we will handle your application 7

Equal opportunities 7

Dealing with your concerns 9

Annexes

Annex A: CoRWM Terms of Reference 10

Annex B: CoRWM Code of Practice 14

Annex C: The Seven Principles of Public Life 19

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How to make an application

Thank you for your interest in the appointment of members to the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM). This document contains information about: how to apply for a role, the person specification, the role and responsibilities of CoRWM and its members and the selection process.

The Commissioner for Public AppointmentsThe Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and monitors ministerial appointments to public bodies to ensure that they are made on merit after fair and open competition. More information about the role of the Commissioner, the Code of Practice and how to make a complaint about the conduct of a public appointments process is available here

How to apply

If you wish to apply for a role as member of CoRWM, please supply the following by the closing date of March 18th:

A short supporting statement (maximum two sides A4, minimum 11 point font) giving evidence that demonstrates how your skills and experience meet the criteria for the role;

A comprehensive CV setting out your career history and including details of any professional qualifications;

Equal opportunities monitoring form.

In making an application please note the following:

Supporting statementThe supporting statement is your opportunity to demonstrate how you meet the criteria (both essential and desirable) set out in the person specification, including your respective skill area(s). How you choose to present the information is up to you. However, you should aim to provide specific and detailed examples that demonstrate how your knowledge and experience matches each of the criteria, your relevant skill area(s) and which describe what your role was in achieving a specific result. It will also benefit the selection panel if you can be clear which evidence you provide relates to which criteria. Providing separate paragraphs in relation to each criterion is common practice.

Please ensure your full name, the role to which you are applying and the corresponding reference number for the post are clearly noted at the top of your statement.

Please limit your statement to two pages and type or write clearly in black ink.

Declaration of interests and ensuring public confidenceIf you have any business or personal interests that might be relevant to the work of CoRWM and which could lead to a real or perceived conflict of interest were you to be appointed, please provide details as an annex to your supporting statement. If

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there is anything in your personal or professional history that, if brought into the public domain in the event of your application being successful, may cause embarrassment or disrepute to the organisation, please provide further details in an annex to your supporting statement. Failure to disclose such information could result in an appointment being terminated.

CVPlease ensure your CV includes:

Full name, title, home address, personal contact telephone numbers and personal email address;

Brief details of your current or most recent post and the dates you occupied these roles.

Monitoring formPlease complete the monitoring form. Diversity monitoring information will not be seen by the panel assessing your application.

Indicative TimetableClosing date: March 18thShortlisting complete: End of first week of April. Interviews held: Weeks commencing 18th and 25th April (date to be confirmed)

Completed applications should be emailed to: Andrew.timlin@hays.com

If you cannot apply online, please post applications to:

Andrew TimlinHays ExecutiveEbury Gate23 Lower Belgrave StreetLondonSW1W 0NT

Tel: 0207 259 8743

If you need any part of the vacancy details in an alternative format (e.g. Braille, large print, audio CD, tape or e-text), please contact Andrew Timlin as detailed above.

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The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

About the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) provides independent advice, based on informed scrutiny of the available evidence, to UK Government and Devolved Administration Ministers on the long-term management of radioactive waste, including storage and disposal. Its primary objectives are:

to provide independent evidence-based advice to sponsor Ministers on the Government’s, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s (NDA) and Radioactive Waste Management Ltd’s (RWM) programme to deliver geological disposal (excluding Scotland), together with robust interim storage, for higher activity radioactive waste;

to provide independent, evidence-based advice on other radioactive waste management issues as requested by sponsor Ministers, including advice requested by Scottish Government in relation to its policy for higher activity radioactive waste.

Details of the work in which CoRWM is currently involved, as well as its previous reports and position papers, are available here

CoRWM comprises a Chair and up to eleven members. The Chair and members reflect different backgrounds and are not mandated representatives of organisations or sectoral interests. As part of a cycle of appointments to the Committee, the positions of eleven members become vacant from mid to late 2016.

Details of CoRWM’s role and responsibilities and its ways of working are contained within the Committee’s Terms of Reference at Annex A.

Procedural requirements on members are also set out in the CoRWM Code of Practice at Annex B and the Seven Principles of Public Life at Annex C.

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Requirements for Members of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management

Role and responsibilities

Members work, under the Chair’s supervision, to the programme agreed with sponsor Ministers. Members have a collective responsibility to ensure the achievement of CoRWM’s objectives and delivery of its work programme to agreed timescales. Individual members may be appointed by the Chair to undertake specific tasks, for example, leading or participating in sub-groups, drafting papers or representing CoRWM in meetings with the public, organisations who are contributing to the Committee’s work.

Qualities and experience required

We are seeking to appoint new members of CoRWM in order to achieve an overall balance of the areas of expertise listed below. We will expect members to have demonstrable expertise of and a proven track record in, one or more of these areas and be able to demonstrate an understanding of how relevant issues apply across the UK, including the Devolved Administrations.

The successful candidate will, in particular, be required to draw on his/her professional knowledge to provide clear and authoritative insight, challenge and support on the Committee and to contribute to CoRWM’s credibility through strategic level advice and scrutiny.

Skills we are seeking: Geosciences including geology, geophysics, geochemistry and hydrogeology Geological disposal of radioactive waste Intermediate and deep underground radioactive waste disposal concepts and the

performance of engineered barriers Underground design, engineering and construction Nuclear safety, security, safeguards, environmental protection and radiation

protection Radioactive waste management technology & the operation of nuclear facilities Nuclear science & engineering including interim storage of nuclear materials Practical experience of regulation in the context of the UK nuclear industry Project management and delivery of large infrastructure projects Public & stakeholder engagement Practical experience of working in or with local government Land use Planning Nuclear and Environmental Law Practical experience of planning law Practical experience of the law relating to Environmental Impact Assessment,

Strategic Environmental Assessment and National Policy Statements

In addition to demonstrating one or more of these areas of expertise, members will be selected against the following criteria:

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Essential criteriaEvidence of having - built and maintained good working relationships with experience of working

cooperatively and achieving consensus in multi-disciplinary teams, where views may differ, in order to deliver successful outcomes to agreed timescales

good analytical skills involving evaluating complex issues good drafting and communication skills ability to communicate and engage with a wide range of stakeholders and the

public

Desirable criteria operational experience in the nuclear or radioactive waste management fields experience of advising on complex issues such as those encountered on major

infrastructure projects

Terms and conditions of appointment

Period of appointmentThe appointment is initially for two or four years (to be agreed with each member), but further terms may be offered, subject to satisfactory performance assessment and Ministerial approval and in line with the guidance set out in the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.

StandardsIn accepting a position on the Committee, members will be signing up to CoRWM's Terms of Reference, the Committee's Code of Practice and the Seven Principles of Public Life.

Time InputIt is expected that members will spend a maximum of 52 days per year on CoRWM business. This time commitment includes preparing for meetings and travel, some of which may be required in the evening or at weekends. A higher input may be necessary in the initial period of appointment.

Remuneration£300 per day for a maximum of 52 days per year. All reasonable travel and subsistence costs incurred during the course of the work will be fully reimbursed.

Location CoRWM members are based all over the UK and are committed to flexible working. Members generally work remotely and make regular use of video and teleconferencing. Committee meetings and work may be conducted at various locations around the UK and there may also be some limited overseas travel.

CoRWM is supported by a small secretariat in the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), London.

Termination

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The appointee may resign at any time by notice in writing to the sponsor Ministers. Ministers may jointly agree to terminate the appointment in light of performance, a significant change in the nature of the work or a decision that the Committee, in its current form, is no longer required.

Selection Criteria

The Chair of the Selection Panel will be a senior official from DECC. Other panel members are expected to include a senior official from the Scottish Government, acting on behalf of the Devolved Administrations, the CoRWM Chair and an independent person to provide an external perspective.

During the recruitment process, the Panel will be supported by Hays Executive, who will undertake an initial sift of candidates. The Panel will produce a shortlist of candidates to invite to interview and will conduct interviews to determine which candidates best demonstrate that they have the specified qualities and experience for the role of the CoRWM members. The Panel will then make recommendations to the Committee’s sponsor Ministers, who will decide which candidates they wish to appoint.

Please note that appointments to public bodies are made by competition. It is therefore essential for your application to give full, but concise, information/evidence relevant to the appointment.

Interviews are expected to take place in April 2016 in London. The interview should last in the region of 45 minutes. If selected for interview, candidates will be asked to prepare a five minute presentation, to be delivered without the use of visual aids. We will notify candidates of the topic to be covered in the invitation to interview.

How we will handle your application

We will: Acknowledge receipt of your application. Please contact Hays Executive on:

0207 259 8743 if you have not received an acknowledgement within five working days of submission.

Let you know by email whether or not you have been short-listed. (The sift will take place following the closing date and interviews are expected to take place in April)

Take up references of candidates selected for interview. Notify all candidates of the outcome of their application.

Equal opportunities

We positively welcome applications from all backgrounds, and this appointment will be governed by the principle of public appointment based on merit with independent assessment and transparency of process. The UK Government and Devolved Administrations are committed to valuing diversity in their public bodies and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation,

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gender re-assignment, religion or belief, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin.

The UK Government and Devolved Administrations are also committed to providing equal opportunities for all public appointment candidates during the selection process, to enable us to select candidates from a diverse pool of talent.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for Disabled Applicants

We guarantee an interview to any candidate who has a disability, as defined by the Equality Act 2010, and who declares their disability in their application, provided that they meet the minimum essential criteria for the post in question, as set out in the job advertisement. The Equality Act 2010 defines a person as being disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

In addition, if you require any special arrangements at interview stage, please give details in a covering letter to enable us to make the appropriate arrangements if necessary. If you wish to apply under the GIS please complete the GIS form and return it with your application.

How we will manage your personal information Your personal information will be held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. You will not receive unsolicited paper or electronic mail as a result of sending DECC any personal information. No personal information will be passed on to third parties for commercial purposes.

When we ask you for personal information, we promise we will:

only ask for what we need, and not collect too much or irrelevant information;

ensure you know why we need it;

protect it and insofar as is possible, make sure nobody has access to it who shouldn't;

ensure you know what choice you have about giving us information;

make sure we don't keep it longer than necessary; and

only use your information for the purposes you have authorised.

We ask that you: provide us with accurate information; and

inform us as soon as possible of any changes or if you notice mistakes in the information we hold about you.

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If you apply for a post, we will share some of the information you provide with the members of the selection panel for the post to which you are applying so that your CV and supporting statement can be assessed.

The diversity monitoring information you provide will not be used in the selection process and will therefore not be shared with the selection panel assessing your application at any stage. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments requires that selection panels review the political activity response at the interview stage. This in no way acts as a bar to appointment. Further information on this is provided in the attached Monitoring form.

The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates and monitors appointments to public bodies to ensure procedures are fair. DECC is required by the Commissioner for Public Appointments to retain information about the people who apply for public appointments within his remit, and make this information available to him for audit purposes, if requested to do so. Information you provide in your application may therefore be made available to the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Commissioner’s auditors on a confidential basis in order to help fulfil either the Commissioner’s formal complaints investigation role or for audit

Feedback The Commissioner for Public Appointments would like to find out what you think of the public appointments process. If you make an application, the Commissioner would appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete this survey: http://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/candidate-survey/ Your response will be anonymous and will inform the Commissioner's ongoing work with Government Departments to improve the public appointments process.

Dealing with your concerns

For queries about the recruitment process, please contact Andrew Timlin by email: Andrew.timlin@hays.com or by telephone on: 0207 259 8743.

For further information about CoRWM please see the Committee’s website

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Annex A

Terms of Reference

Purpose

1. The purpose of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) is to provide independent advice, based on informed scrutiny of the available evidence, to UK Government and Devolved Administration Ministers (hereafter called ‘sponsor Ministers’) on the long-term management of radioactive waste, arising from civil and where relevant defence nuclear programmes, including storage and disposal.

2. CoRWM will provide strategic oversight of radioactive waste management in the UK, in such a way that does not duplicate the role already fulfilled by the statutory independent safety, security and environmental regulators.

Objectives

3. The primary objectives of CoRWM are:

a) provide independent  evidence based advice to sponsor Ministers on the Government’s and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's (NDA) and Radioactive Waste Management Ltd’s (RWM) proposals, plans and programmes to deliver geological disposal (excluding Scotland), together with robust interim storage, for the UK’s higher activity wastes  as set out in the work programme agreed annually between CoRWM and sponsor Ministers; and

b) to provide independent, evidence based advice on other radioactive waste management issues as requested by sponsor Ministers, including advice requested by Scottish Government in relation to its policy for higher activity radioactive waste.

In fulfilling its remit to provide independent and evidence based advice, CoRWM is expected to maintain an independent overview of issues relevant to the delivery of government’s radioactive waste management programmes. It should bring to the attention of sponsor Ministers issues that it considers to be either: a) positive and worthy of note or b) concerns that, in the Committee’s opinion need to be addressed.

Responsibilities

4. CoRWM will have a collective responsibility for:

recognising the policy framework within which it will operate, including the roles and responsibilities of Government, the NDA, RWM and the various statutory independent regulators in relation to CoRWM’s own advisory role;

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delivering its evidence-based advice to sponsor Ministers in accordance with agreed work programmes. It will be for sponsor Ministers, with appropriate reference to their respective Parliaments and Assemblies, to take decisions on the evidence based advice they receive and to give directions to the NDA/RWM as necessary on any subsequent changes that they deem to be required in the delivery of radioactive waste management programmes;

delivering the work programme within the agreed budget, although the Chair may request sponsor Ministers for an adjustment to this budget should this be considered necessary; and

submitting an annual written report to sponsor Ministers, by 30 June of each year. The report will include CoRWM’s progress with the agreed work programme, advice deriving from it and costs incurred. It will be made available in the libraries of the UK and Scottish Parliaments, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

5. The Chair, supported by one or more CoRWM members when appropriate, will generally meet every two months with sponsor officials to report progress on the work programme and to discuss advice being provided at official level.

6. The Chair will meet sponsor Ministers on appointment, and then at least annually along with other members as appropriate. The Chair may also be required to present the position of CoRWM to Parliamentary or Assembly committees and representatives as appropriate.

Deliverables

7. CoRWM’s deliverables will be set out each year in a proposed three-year rolling work programme.

8. The work programme will be submitted to sponsor Ministers by 31 March each year for discussion and agreement. Any in-year changes will be the subject of agreement by CoRWM and sponsor Ministers.

9. The work programme will include details of specific areas of work, reports which the Committee intends to produce, the proposed role of sub-groups and any other activities or events, including proposals for stakeholder engagement.

10. In delivering its annual work programme, and where there is a common interest, the Committee should liaise as appropriate with regulators and any other relevant bodies that advise Government and the regulators.

11.With the agreement of CoRWM’s sponsor Ministers, other parts of Government, the NDA/RWM and the regulators may request independent advice from CoRWM. Relevant Parliamentary / Assembly Committees may also propose work to sponsoring Ministers, for consideration in the work programme. Any additional work would need to be funded by the requesting party.

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Membership

12. The Committee is jointly appointed by sponsor Ministers and appointments will be made following the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Office published by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

13. Appointments will usually be for four years and sponsor Ministers retain the right to terminate appointments at any time in light of individual members’ performance, changes in CoRWM’s work requirements, or completion of the work required of CoRWM.

14. CoRWM shall consist of a Chair and up to eleven members, one of whom will be appointed by sponsor Ministers as Deputy Chair on the recommendation of the Chair. Members will not be mandated representatives of organisational or sectoral interests.

15. The skills and expertise which will need to be available to the Committee will vary depending on the programme of work. Sponsor Ministers may review the membership of the Committee, and the skills and expertise required.

16. CoRWM is set up by, and answerable to sponsor Ministers and is funded by the taxpayer. It must therefore comply with the Cabinet Office guide for Departments https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-bodies-information-and-guidance

17. These and other relevant procedural requirements will be set out in CoRWM’s Code of Practice which members will agree to, prior to appointment.

Sub-groups

18. Members of CoRWM itself may not have all the skills and expertise necessary to advise Government. The Committee will need to decide how best to secure access to other appropriate sources of expert input during the course of its work. It will have the option of setting up expert sub-groups containing both CoRWM members and other appropriate co-opted persons. The engagement of consultants will be dependent on sufficient funds being available to CoRWM and the necessary business cases being approved by sponsors as appropriate and, if required, Cabinet Office.

19. A member of CoRWM will chair any sub-group of this nature and ensure its effective operation, as well as provide a clear line of responsibility and accountability to the main Committee. It will be for the main Committee to assess and decide upon the advice it receives from such sub-groups. CoRWM may also utilise other appropriate means of securing expert input, such as sponsored meetings and seminars. The Chair will ensure that sub-group work and all other activities are closely integrated.

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Engagement and transparency

20.CoRWM shall undertake its work in an open and consultative manner in order to secure the confidence of stakeholders in the advice it provides. It will engage with stakeholders and it will publish advice (and the underpinning evidence) in a way that is meaningful to the non-expert. It will comply, as will sponsoring departments, with 'The Government Chief Scientific Advisor's guidelines on the Use of Scientific and Engineering Advice in Policy Making1', as well as other relevant Government advice and guidelines. Government will respond to all substantive advice. Published advice and reports will be made available in respective Parliaments and Assemblies, as will any Government response.

21. To secure stakeholder confidence in its activities and advice, CoRWM’s work will be characterised by:

a published reporting and transparency policy; relevant stakeholder engagement as required; clear communications including the use of plain language, publishing its

advice (and the underpinning evidence) in a way that is meaningful to the non-expert;

making information accessible through its website; encouraging people to ask questions or make their views known and

considering their concerns; providing opportunities for people to challenge information, for example by

making clear the sources of information and points of view on which the Committee’s advice is based

Review

22. CoRWM will be subject to Triennial review in accordance with Cabinet Office requirements and under a timetable agreed between DECC and the Cabinet Office.

1 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/293037/10-669-gcsa-guidelines-scientific-engineering-advice-policy-making.pdf

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Annex B

CoRWM Code of Practice

Introduction

1. The Committee (CoRWM) must build and retain public respect by the way in which it works. Each Member shares this responsibility and must agree, before being appointed, to abide by this Code. The Code is based on the Cabinet Office guidance for non-departmental public bodies2, but also includes other provisions relevant to the remit and work of CoRWM. The Code is based on the Cabinet Office guidance for non-departmental public bodies, but also includes other provisions relevant to the remit and work of CoRWM. The Code is also compatible with the guidance set out in the Principles of Scientific Advice to Government3, and the Code of Conduct for Scientific Advisory Bodies4.

Public Service Values

2. Members of this advisory non-departmental public body must at all times:

observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the recommendations they produce and the management of this public body;

be accountable to the sponsoring Ministers and their departments5 for its activities and for the standard of advice and recommendations it produces; and

in accordance with Government policy on openness, comply fully with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

3. The Ministers of the sponsoring departments are answerable to their Parliament or Assembly for the policies and performance of this body, including the policy framework within which it operates.

Standards in Public Life

4. All Members must:

follow the Seven Principles of Public Life set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life;

comply with this code and ensure they understand their duties, rights and responsibilities and that they are familiar with the function and role of this body and any relevant statements of Government (UK government and the Devolved Administrations) policy; and

2http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/governance/blboard/BoardCodeofPractice2011.pdf 3 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/scientific-advice-to-government-principles/principles-of-scientific-advice-to-government 4 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/278498/11-1382-code-of-practice-scientific-advisory-committees.pdf 5 The sponsoring departments are the Departments of Energy and Climate Change, Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government.

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not misuse information gained in the course of their public service for personal gain or political purpose, nor seek to use the opportunity of public service to promote their private interests or those of connected persons, firms, businesses or other organisations.

Responsibility of individual members 5. Members are appointed to CoRWM in a personal capacity thereby bringing to

the Committee’s deliberations their particular knowledge, skills and experience. They are not appointed to the Committee to represent the interests of organisations by whom they are employed or with whom they may be associated but, rather, to consider all views and evaluate them in an objective manner in contributing to the Committee’s work.

6. Members have collective responsibility for the operation of this body. They must:

engage fully in collective consideration of the issues, taking account of the full range of relevant factors, including guidance issued by the sponsor departments or the responsible Ministers;

ensure that the Freedom of Information legislation (including prompt responses to public requests for information) is adhered to; and agree an Annual Report;

respond appropriately to complaints, if necessary with reference to the sponsor departments; and

ensure that the Committee does not exceed its functions.

7. The Secretary of CoRWM should be advised of any forthcoming publication by a CoRWM Member relating to radioactive waste management, and its publication date, which refers to a member as being a member of CoRWM. A copy of that publication should be provided to the Secretary on publication.

8. Individual Committee members can normally be removed from office by Ministers if they fail to perform the duties required of them in line with the standards expected in public office, including failure to adhere to this Code of Conduct.

9. When CoRWM members are acting as observers at meetings, they will refrain from participating in discussion and contributing views, unless invited to.

10. CoRWM members will ensure factual accuracy of meeting notes, wherever possible checking with meeting participants, before circulating to the rest of the Committee.

Communicating, and commenting on, the work of CoRWM

11. Only the CoRWM Chair and Deputy Chair, or in their absence the CoRWM Secretary, is authorised to write, or speak on behalf of the Committee. Members of CoRWM may be authorised by the Chair or Deputy Chair to write or speak on behalf of CoRWM on specific occasions. CoRWM members must

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clarify their capacity when speaking at events i.e. whether they are representing their own views, or those of the Committee.

12. Any Members seeking to comment on the work of the Committee and its views beyond the details which are contained in its published material should seek the Chair or the Deputy Chair’s permission to do so. Members should acknowledge the need to act collectively in making information and views available to the public and Ministers. In addition, Members should recognise that their membership of CoRWM conveys a special privilege; hence any public statement should be sensitive to the context within which it will be interpreted, given particularly the need to maintain the integrity and credibility of the policy formulation process involved.

13. Communications between the Committee and Ministers will generally be through the Chair except where in the absence of the Chair or Deputy Chair, the Committee has agreed that individual members should act on its behalf. Nevertheless, any Member has the right of access to Ministers on any matter which he or she believes raises important issues relating to his or her duties as a CoRWM Member. In such cases the agreement of the Chair and the rest of the Committee should normally be sought.

14. Committee papers will be identified as “Official” (e.g. for discussion before being released to the public and other stakeholders) or “Public”. Members who wish to show non-Members any information contained in “Restricted” documents, must obtain the prior consent of the Chair or the Deputy Chair. The use of a “Official Sensitive” marking shall be primarily to ensure that interim working papers and drafts are not misrepresented as being the final collective views of the Committee.

Decision-making within CoRWM

15. CoRWM should wherever possible reach decisions by consensus and the text of reports or publications should reflect such consensus.

16. In those circumstances where consensus cannot be achieved and, despite the best efforts of the Committee, substantial numbers of Members hold alternative views, the relevant text of any report or publication should reflect the differences in, and relative weight of, opinion within the Committee. In declaring an interest, a Member may decide to disassociate himself from a particular text and this would be recorded in the text. This would be the proper course of action if the Member held views which differed from the overwhelming majority of the Committee.

17. Members do not have an absolute right to submit a minority report for inclusion within a CoRWM report or publication. The text of the CoRWM report or publication should adequately reflect any significant differences in opinion. Nevertheless, if a Member or small group of Members still wish to include a

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minority report this would only be acceded to by a majority vote at a properly constituted meeting, or by postal ballot. On the understanding that such procedures are followed, Members should not take personal initiatives to disassociate themselves publicly from CoRWM’s reports or publications.

18. In circumstances where a difference of view exists, sponsoring Ministers retain the right to request the Chair for his or her personal perception of the predominant Committee view.

The Role of the Chair

19. The Chair has particular responsibility for providing effective leadership on the issues above. In addition, the Chair is responsible for:

ensuring that the Committee meets at appropriate intervals, and that the minutes of meetings and any reports to Ministers accurately record the decisions taken and, where appropriate, the views of individual members;

ensuring that reports of the Committee’s work and its outcome are openly and accurately published;

representing the views of the Committee to the general public; and ensuring new Committee Members are briefed on appointment, carrying

out annual assessments of members’ performance and providing an assessment of their performance, on request, at any stage of the Committee’s work or for appointment to the board of some other public body.

Handling Conflicts of Interests

20. The purpose of these provisions is to avoid any danger of Members being influenced, or appearing to be influenced, by their private interests in the exercise of their public duties. All Committee Members should therefore declare any personal or business interest which may, or may be perceived (by a reasonable member of the public) to, influence their judgement. This should include, as a minimum, personal direct and indirect pecuniary interests, and should normally also include, such interests of close family members and of people living in the same household6. The register of interests should be kept up-to-date and be open to the public. A declaration of any interest should also be made at any Committee meeting if it relates specifically to a particular issue under consideration, for recording in the minutes (whether or not a Committee members also withdraws from the meeting).

21. Committee Members should not participate in the discussion or determination of matters in which they have an interest, and should normally withdraw from the meeting (even if held in public) if:

their interest is direct and pecuniary; or

6 Indirect pecuniary interests arise from connections with bodies which have a direct pecuniary interest or from being a business partner of, or being employed by, a person with such an interest. Non-pecuniary interests include those arising from membership of clubs or other organisations. Close family members include personal partners, parents, children (adult and minor), brothers, sisters, and the personal partners

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their interest is covered in specific guidance issued by this body or the sponsor departments which required them not to participate and/or to withdraw from the meeting.

22. In consideration of future business appointments, Committee Members should consider the rules in place around conflicts of interests that are followed while serving on the Committee. Committee Members should consider the need for making the Department aware of potential future business appointments, where conflicts of interest could arise, for a period of one year after resignation or retirement.

Personal liability of Panel members

23. Legal proceedings by a third party against individual Committee members of advisory bodies are extremely exceptional. A Committee member may be personally liable, for example, if he or she makes a fraudulent or negligent statement which results in a loss to a third party; or breaches a duty of confidence under common law or if he or she misuses information gained through their position.

24. If legal proceedings are brought against members by a third party DECC will meet any civil liability which is incurred in the exercise of member functions unless the member concerned has acted recklessly and provided the member has acted honestly and in good faith.

Raising concerns

25. If you have a concern about a possible breach of this Code, or a concern that the staff of the body are being asked to act in contravention of their own code of conduct, then you have a responsibility to raise that internally with other board members or the chair of the body.

26. There may be rare occasions involving very serious or urgent concerns where you feel it would not be appropriate to raise the issue internally in the body (either with the chair or any nominated official in the body). If it is not possible to raise the issue internally, you should raise it with the Permanent Secretary of the parent/sponsor department or, in the most extreme cases, with the Minister responsible for the body.

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Annex C

The Seven Principles of Public LifeThe CoRWM Chair and members are required to confirm their acceptance of these principles that promote high standards of behaviour in the public sphere.

SelflessnessHolders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

IntegrityHolders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

ObjectivityHolders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

AccountabilityHolders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

OpennessHolders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

HonestyHolders of public office should be truthful.

LeadershipHolders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

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