Issue - meetings

That the contents of the update report be noted.

The Leader introduced the update report on the problematic odours associated with Walleys Quarry landfill in Silverdale. The item had been on the Cabinet agenda for several years and while the site was now closed efforts were to be sustained to enable its full restoration including long term financial support.

The Chief Executive presented the report advising that the temporary works undertaken by the Environment Agency were holding up and a political coordination group involving the Government and other agencies was to meet up shortly for the first time, with the Council playing a critical role.

The Leader welcomed the fact that the odours were under control despite weather conditions similar to that of the previous year. High levels of emissions were recorded then, eventually leading to the closure of the site.

The Environment Agency was currently using the bond money from the previous operator to maintain the situation in its current state. A decision was to be made on a way forward to restore and cap the site, which required government intervention.

It was noted that there still hadn’t been any public inquiry despite a formal request having been put forward by the Council. The Leader would be pressing for a stakeholder meeting led by the Environment Agency.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning expressed being pleased with the figures, meanwhile supporting the Leader’s statement in relation to the necessity for a public inquiry and for the government to take responsibility for the financial aspects of the works required rather than local taxes being raised.

The Deputy Leader reiterated his colleagues concerns about what would happen when the bond money would run out.

The Leader concluded by thanking officers for their hard work and advising members that he would continue to report to Cabinet about his meetings with the various agencies involved along with pushing for an allocation of funding for the restoration and capping of the site.

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

Watch the debate here