Carole is saying goodbye to LARAC after an incredible 22 years of dedicated service. We wanted to hear more about Carole’s experiences and reflections during her time with LARAC. Read more about her journey below:
Since deciding to take early retirement back in February this year, it felt like a long time away but, now the day is finally here!
After 22 years with LARAC, beginning in July 2002, I can safely claim that I have done all the different roles that LARAC offered. Starting as a Regional Rep for the North West back in July 2002, I have also been on the Policy Team, Conference Subgroup, and the Restructure Committee and held positions of Treasurer and Vice Chair (twice) and finally Chair from 2018 – 2021. All in addition to a day job at Pendle Council in Lancashire, for which I am grateful for letting me be involved with LARAC.
I joined the LARAC staff in 2022, when the first restructure was carried out following the departure of Lee and Jenny, who had run LARAC superbly for a number of years. That was a big change for me, having been employed by local authorities since 1989. Starting as the Internal Affairs Manager in April 2022, I became Executive Director in January 2023 following another restructure.
People have looked shocked, puzzled and confused when I have said I was taking early retirement. To fill everyone in, I really want to travel more before I get too old to do it. My mother-in-law lived with us for 10 years and she died at the end of last year, so that really put the “life is too short” adage into perspective. I’m retiring just ahead of my 57th birthday, so I can say I retired at 56 😊.
Most waste officers never actually choose “waste” as a career – it tends to be where we end up, but once you are in, you find it difficult to get out! I started my local authority career in the Revenues department at Lancaster City Council, just before the “poll tax” was introduced. Whilst the job was probably one of the hardest I have ever done, what struck me was the sense of camaraderie of the staff and how we all looked after each other when times were difficult. This included going to the magistrates’ court and contract bailiffs to pursue those who refused to pay.
After a couple of years, a technical assistant job was advertised in the Environmental Health department, and it attracted me as I have always loved the sciences. Recycling/waste management was a part of the role, along with radiation monitoring – quite a mix!
From there, I progressed to Recycling Officer and introduced the first multi-material kerbside collection scheme in Lancashire in the mid-‘90s. Back then, when I attended the Lancashire Waste Officer meetings, I was maybe the only female in the room. I am glad to see that has very much changed over the years.
A couple of roles later, I ended up at Lancashire County Council, and there I was fortunate to do my MSc in Waste Management at the University of Central Lancashire. My dissertation was on how to maximise household waste recycling at CA sites in Lancashire, and I achieved a distinction in my MSc and also had a paper published as a result of my dissertation, thanks to Dr Ian Williams, now at Southampton Uni.
The same year I completed my MSc, I joined LARAC, and a year later, Pendle Council, and the rest, as they say, is history.
When I am asked what my highlight of my waste career, I would definitely say being part of LARAC and having that support from colleagues working in the same industry. Local authorities are full of dedicated, passionate people who want to make a difference and work very hard whilst doing so. LARAC is there to support people in the day jobs and is run by an Executive of people all doing the same day job. I’ve often said it like a big family that you can reach out to when needed, and LARAC has helped me through many times in my life – some happy, some sad, and some very stressful ones!
I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my career, and there have been many people who have supported me along the way. From the early days of navigating new responsibilities to the later years of mentoring and guiding others, every moment has been a stepping stone in my professional and personal development.
It is the people who make LARAC a very special organisation. Thank you for being there and keep up the amazing work that you do for local authority officers. I look forward to celebrating with you for LARAC’s 40th next year.
Thank you, Carole, for your unwavering commitment and contributions over the years. It’s not goodbye; it’s see you soon! We all look forward to celebrating with you at LARAC’s 40th anniversary celebration and awards in October 2025!
