Mr Coates will replace LARAC’s current CEO Lee Marshall, who is to become director of policy and external affairs at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) from December, on a temporary basis (see letsrecycle.com story). Mr Coates is expected to work closely with Mr Marshall until his departure.
Mr Coates has been an independent consultant at JRC Consulting since May. Previously head of waste at Lincolnshire county council, he has also held multiple roles related to waste at North Lincolnshire council, as well as being former vice chair and treasurer of LARAC.
LARAC said in a statement that Mr Coates represented a “short-term solution”, and that moving forward he would work with the new chair and executive “to produce options for a new LARAC for the future”.
Carole Taylor, LARAC chair, said: “We are sad to see Lee go, but in John we have someone who is very capable and who brings experience of being a head of service for waste and recycling at both unitary and county councils.
“We know he will represent our members’ views with knowledge and authority. He knows how LARAC works and was on the working group that transitioned us to a limited not-for-profit company.”
Continuity
The organisation which represents local authority recycling officers and those working in similar or related posts, LARAC said Mr Coates’s appointment would ensure “continuity of membership services” and allow for a review of the organisation’s current structure.
In its statement, LARAC moved to reassure members that their voices would still be heard on policy areas such as consistent collections and extended producer responsibility for packaging.
The organisation said it believed the arrangement provided the “best of both worlds”, representing continuity for the organisation and the chance to shape LARAC for the future.
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