www.mpani.org
MPA Good Neighbour Scheme
Engaging & Building Trust with Local Communities
NIGEL JACKSON, (RETIRED), CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MINERAL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION NI
The MPA represents the interests of the mineral and mineral products industry. Over the last 25 years the industry has established a proven track record in operating sites to higher technical and environmental standards. The external appearance, the effect of site and installation, operations and the distribution activity they generate, matters to local communities and the industry operates to planning permissions, environmental permits and other statutory and voluntary controls to ensure that those effects are minimised and mitigated. It is vital that the industry is not only seen to do what is required of it, but when it commits to do something, it delivers on those commitments. Building trust in this way can help improve perceptions of the industry and help operators develop and maintain a track record that may assist them when seeking future planning permissions and permits. In the MPA Charter the MPA’s vision for 2025 states that the industry wishes:
“to be valued as an essential and economically, socially and environmentally sustainable industry of significance to the economy and our way of life”
16
・ Innovative, embracing the use of best available technology and sharing best practice ・ Engaging constructively and strategically with Government, regulators, local communities and other stakeholders. The Scheme responds to one of MPA’s 7 Strategic Priorities relating to People and its objective for Local Communities ie “to engage fully with local communities and strive to be good neighbours.”
Nigel Jackson.
And perceived as: ・ Cohesive and well organised, responsible and accountable ・ Creative, collaborative and outward looking ・ Professional and competent, setting high standards to retain and attract new people, reflecting UK diversity
We believe that the MPA Good Neighbour Scheme will assist with the delivery of the MPA Charter, and in meeting our objective for Local Communities, thereby supporting the achievement of the MPA Vision. Such a Scheme can set out what operators expect of themselves and make clear to local communities and others what is reasonable for them to expect from the industry “on the ground”. We firmly believe that by engaging more the industry can build trust with local communities.
MPANI 2022 | 2023
