Issue - meetings

1. That the contents of the update report be noted.

2. That the Leader and Chief Executive write to the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme to seek their view on the recent response from the Minister on calls for a public inquiry and to support actions arising from the Committee of Inquiry report.

The Chief Executive introduced the report on Walleys Quarry odour issues.

The complaints to both the Council and the Environment Agency had continued to ramp up since the summer and an information update had been published by the operator suggesting activities to be undertaken in the near future.

A response from the Minister of Nature had also been received regarding the letter from the Leader requesting a public inquiry. The Chief Executive had written back asking for confirmation that ministers and civil servants had read and understood the report.

The Leader commented on the worsening situation which was discouraging, reiterating the need for the Environment Agency to ensure the site was run correctly and for a public inquiry to be undertaken.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning expressed his disappointment at the response received from the Government in relation to the Environment Agency which in his opinion was failing to do their job.

There was incidentally a growing tendency for vehicles to park near the roundabout which should be reported to the police.

The Deputy Leader reported that KCs from the FTB Chambers had now been appointed by the Council to initiate legal action.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Environment wondered if a letter could be sent to the recently elected MP asking for comments on residents’ concerns and the inactivity of the Environment Agency as well as whether he supported the Minister’s claim that a public inquiry was not required.

The Chief Executive confirmed this could be taken forward.

The Leader commented that the MP had been so far copied in all communications and his opinion would indeed be valuable.

Resolved:    1. That the contents of the update report be noted.

2. That the Leader and Chief Executive write to the Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme to seek their view on the recent response from the Minister on calls for a public inquiry and to support actions arising from the Committee of Inquiry report.

Watch the debate here