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Cathy Cook to become 11th LARAC chair

The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) has announced that Cathy Cook is to become its 11th chair, taking over from Carole Taylor in January 2022.

Ms Cook is currently senior advisor at ReLondon, and one of two vice chairs at LARAC.

Cathy Cook will become LARAC chair in January 2022

The role of LARAC chair is limited to a maximum four-year term, which means the current chair, Ms Taylor, comes to the end of her term in January 2022.

Ms Cook, incoming LARAC chair, said: “I am looking forward to working with the wider industry on the important policy developments that will come forward in the next couple of years and representing our local authority members.

“With so much change and uncertainty it is even more important that LARAC works hard on behalf of its members, and I intend to give them the best representation possible.”

One of Ms Cook’s first tasks will be to oversee the development of a new four-year business plan for LARAC. She will also lead the transition to a new structure in response to staffing changes in LARAC, which include the departure of current chief executive Lee Marshall to lead CIWM’s policy work.

Vice chair

LARAC said Ms Cook brings with her “vast experience of working for and with local authorities during her career”.

James Ward of Hull City council will become vice chair

Succeeding her as vice chair will be James Ward of Hull city council, a unitary authority in East Yorkshire.

Mr Ward is the Yorkshire and Humber regional representative for LARAC and has been a member of the executive board since July 2019.

He said: “Local authorities will need to be at the heart of the discussion on policy development for consistent collections and EPR on packaging and I am keen to ensure that our members input meaningfully to these discussions.”

Executive

LARAC has also confirmed that Carole Taylor will remain as North West Regional Representative on the executive board, a position she has held since 2002, making her the second longest standing member.

She commented that she has “thoroughly enjoyed” her time in the role of chair.

Carole Taylor, outgoing chair, will remain on the LARAC executive

“I feel as an organisation we have grown over the past four years, continuing the work of previous chairs before me.

“The past two years in particular have been tough for our members and that shows no sign of easing. Cathy knows the industry extremely well and I am pleased she is taking on the role of Chair and I know LARAC will continue to grow under her leadership.”

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