Stakeholder engagement

Introduction

We are encouraging our stakeholders and members of the public to get involved in the assessment process by increasing the awareness of our role and establishing effective channels of communication. We are committed to being as open and transparent as possible and encouraging the nuclear industry to do the same.

We recognise that building public confidence and trust in our ability to protect people's safety, security and the environment from the hazards of new nuclear power stations is important. We also know that engaging with our stakeholders and members of the public is one good way of helping us achieve it.

What have we done so far?

We have:

• Created a joint HSE/Environment Agency new-build website;
• Enabled the public to view design information on the web (the submissions from the companies designing the new nuclear power stations);
• Provided opportunities for the public to comment on that information, and for the design companies to respond;
• Read and considered the comments and responses during our assessment process;
• Published all our assessment reports;
• Produced an eBulletin to provide regular updates on the assessment process;
• Produced leaflets, which we sent to all public libraries;
• Published our guidance on the process we are using to assess designs;
• Held events for key stakeholder groups (e.g. non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local authorities) seminars, fringe meetings at conferences); and
• Worked to promote the work we are doing, in particular through the local media and advertising and by speaking at national and local events.

What do we intend to do?

We will:

• Continue our efforts to strengthen trust and confidence in us as effective, efficient and independent regulators;
• Continue to improve our openness and transparency - learning from others to improve the way we share information and interact with the public;

We will do this by:

• Working with the design companies to make it easier for people to access their design information;
• Providing more information on our website, and working to make it more user-friendly;
• Commissioning research on public and stakeholder attitudes to the regulators and to help us identify good practice in stakeholder and public engagement;
• Developing closer links with our key stakeholders;
• Producing information leaflets aimed at specific audiences;
• Working with the Government and other interested parties to consider how best to co-ordinate our public and stakeholder activities; and
• Engaging with local communities as appropriate when the potential locations of new nuclear power stations become known.

Events

• Details of new build events