Taylor becomes LARAC’s executive director following restructure

John Coates left the role on 23 December to become policy and external affairs manager at Newry-based waste management company Re-Gen Waste (see letsrecycle.com story).

The new structure, agreed by LARAC’s executive and board of directors at their last meeting, sees an executive director supported by a policy and communications lead and a support officer.

Carole Taylor, LARAC’s internal affairs manager since last May, becomes executive director, taking on some of the extra responsibilities Mr Coates previously held.

LARAC, which represents local authority recycling officers, is currently recruiting for the newly created role of policy and communications lead, “to ensure key member services continue to be delivered.”

Ms Taylor told letsrecycle.com: “I’ve taken on sorting out the new business plan for LARAC, which has a couple of priorities for the coming year, the main one being upgrading and updating the LARAC website.

“We have a major software update to do this year and so we are also taking the opportunity to update the website following consultations and feedback from the executive and our 2022 member survey.”

Consistency

Following her appointment, Ms Taylor emphasised the importance of the government’s forthcoming response to its consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England, due to be published this month (see letsrecycle.com story).

“I’m pleased to be taking on a new role within LARAC and looking forward to leading the new structure as we enter 2023,” she said. “The consistency response from Defra will be available soon and this is very important for our members to be able to plan and develop services effectively.”

Policy and communications

Ms Taylor said the new policy and communications lead would help keep members up to date on the latest policy developments, including via regular updates, briefings, webinars and workshops.

“I also want to increase the number of regional meetings LARAC has – our members highly value our policy work and the ability to network with other local authorities,” she said. “Therefore, I hope the new role of policy and communications lead will help with this particular task.”

Andrew Bird, chair of LARAC’s appointments and remuneration committee, added: “As a membership organisation we are keen to give our members more of what they want and I think the new structure will do exactly that.”