Issue - meetings

That the contents of the update report be received and noted.

The Leader introduced a report updating Cabinet on the latest position regarding odours in the Borough associated with Walleys Quarry.

The Leader stated that the site was in a period of vast improvement compared to the same period last year.

The Council’s Chief Executive advised that the report recognised that all agencies were now focussed on the steps towards restoration of the site, with the Environment Agency (EA) and their contractors still on site at present.  The situation had moved out of ‘incident’ and into the next phase.  However, should any future serious incident occur the ‘incident’ stage would again be implemented.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 2.5 of the report which showed that the levels of hydrogen sulphide had briefly raised in mid-January.  The EA and their contractors were aware and had been looking into the cause. The issue had not continued beyond that period and no complaints had been received from the public.

The public were aware that there was activity on site and it had been useful to have the EA and site operations group as part of the next phase of the multi-agency response in existence for quickly getting together and working through such issues.

The Chief Executive asked the Leader to join him in thanking Glynn Luznyj from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service for chairing the group for a number of years and was due to become the next Chief Fire Officer.

The Leader also commended Glynn’s work in chairing the co-ordinating group had been important and the focus on the very bad periods.  The aim now was for the long term restoration capping which would cost money and, as was mentioned at a previous Cabinet meeting, it needed to be funded by the government and a public inquiry was needed.

Councillor Sweeney congratulated Glynn on achieving the post of Chief Fire Officer.  Referring to the report, Councillor Sweeney stated that it was good news, with no odours across the Borough.  He stated that the question was- who would pay for the restoration.

The Leader stated that this Council stood ready to react to any issues, should there be any deterioration or if any action was necessary in the future.  However, the Council’s only powers were through the abatement notice / statutory nuisance area and money remained in reserved, should it be required.

There would continue to be engagement with the EA.  A meeting would be taking place with them in the near future with all key partners.

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

Watch the debate here