Provision of Secretariat Services supporting Aggregate Working Parties

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (the Authority) has had contracts in place for the provision of Secretariat Services supporting Aggregate Working Parties since 2015. There are 9 Aggregate Working Parties, 1 for each of the 9 local authority area clusters across England. The role of the secretariat function is to enable these Working Parties to fulfil their functions in monitoring the operation of the Managed Aggregate Supply System (MASS). The contracts covering the 9 area clusters were due to expire on 31 March 2019. However, the Authority has extended these contracts for a further 12 months, until 31 March 2020. The extensions will secure the continued provision of the services provided by the Aggregate Working Parties' secretariats while the Government considers its future role in supporting the sector. Securing the continued provision of the services provided by the Aggregate Working Parties' secretariats for 2019-20 will enable mineral planning authorities to continue to positively plan for aggregates.