Our governance
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-12)

Find out about the structure of CoRWM and read minutes of plenary and other meetings.

CoRWM is an expert committee of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. It was established in 2003 and has a remit to provide independent scrutiny and advice to UK government and devolved administrations (DAs) on the long-term management of radioactive waste, including storage and geological disposal.

Membership

Our current members are listed on our About us page (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/committee-on-radioactive-waste-management/about#members).

We meet as required to discuss progress on our work programme and formulate advice. We also collate and evaluate evidence from a wide range of sources. We use our findings to advise the government and devolved administrations on the storage and disposal of radioactive waste. Reports of these meetings are published in line with our stakeholder engagement strategy.

We publish the minutes of our most recent meetings (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=CoRWM+minutes&publication_filter_option=all&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=committee-on-radioactive-waste-management&official_document_status=all&world_locations%5B%5D=all&from_date=&to_date=&commit=Refresh+results). Minutes from previous meetings are on The National Archives website (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130503173700/http://corwm.decc.gov.uk/documentstore/DirectoryListing.aspx?tags=38).

CoRWM subgroups

Subgroup 1: working with communities implementation

Primary tasks:
- to scrutinise and advise on the integrated communication strategy of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) and Radioactive Waste Management (RWM)
- to scrutinise and advise DESNZ, NDA and RWM on communication of activities related to the geological disposal facility (GDF) siting process and implementation of policy
- to scrutinise and advise DESNZ, NDA and RWM on the implementation of the Working with Communities Policy
- to scrutinise and advise the Welsh Government on the implementation of the Welsh Working with Communities Policy
- to engage and provide advice and information as requested to interested parties, working groups and community partnerships
Membership:
- Penny Harvey (Chair)
- Clare Bond
- Claire Corkhill
- Ray Kemp
- Nigel Thrift
Subgroup 2: GDF geology and delivery

Primary tasks:
- scrutiny and provision of advice to DESNZ and RWM on activities relating to the continued development of a GDF safety case
- scrutiny and provision of advice to DESNZ and RWM on GDF siting activities, including selection criteria, methods of investigation, and the timescale for carrying out site selection in the three rock types
- advise on new technologies that could be applicable to the development of a GDF including those in the mining and construction sectors and their potential impacts on a GDF programme
Membership:
- Mark Kirkbride (Chair)
- Claire Corkhill
- Clare Bond
Subgroup 3: planning and regulation

Primary tasks:
- work towards publication of a comprehensive and definitive CoRWM position paper on regulation of a GDF during 2020
- review and advise on “Sector Guidance” on in-situ disposal of low level waste through the planning system
- keep under review any further implications of the UK’s exit from the EU as this develops and provide advice to DESNZ and DAs
Membership:
- Ray Kemp (Chair)
- Mark Kirkbride
- Derek Lacey
- Stephen Tromans
- Simon Webb
- Peter Bryant
Subgroup 4: Scottish Government activities

Primary tasks:
- to scrutinise the Scottish Government’s activities in relation to the management of higher activity radioactive waste (HAW) in Scotland
- to report to the main CoRWM Committee to enable the development of advice to ministers, NDA and RWM
Membership:
- Clare Bond (Chair)
- Malcolm Joyce
- Derek Lacey
Subgroup 5: Welsh Government activities

Primary tasks:
- to scrutinise the Welsh Government’s activities in relation to the delivery of the Implementing Geological Disposal policy in Wales
- to report to the main CoRWM committee to enable the development of advice to Ministers, NDA and RWM
Membership:
- Stephen Tromans (Chair)
- Barry Lennox
Subgroup 6: waste, spent fuel and nuclear materials inventory management

Primary tasks:
- work programme for a study of how near-surface disposal could be complementary to a GDF
- ongoing scrutiny of end of the Magnox reprocessing programme, and of storage and potential disposal of spent fuel, uranics and plutonium
- monitoring and providing advice on NDA integrated waste management developments including boundary, difficult wastes in Scotland and strategic direction
Membership:
- Derek Lacey (Chair)
- Claire Corkhill
- Malcolm Joyce
- Barry Lennox
- Stephen Tromans
- Simon Webb
- Peter Bryant