Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March be approved as a correct record. 

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March be approved as a correct record. 

That:

(a)  The report be noted;

(b)  A report be prepared for the next available council on what legal action the council can take against not only the Environment Agency (EA) but named individuals in the EA who we feel have failed Newcastle-under-Lyme; and

(c)  This council asks for democratic accountability for the Strategic Co-ordination Group (SCG) and that an elected Member from the relevant authorities – Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and a representative of Staffordshire County Council – sit on the SCG to allow democratic accountability and challenge to the Environment Agency.  In addition, the council asks for the minutes of all meetings of the SCG to be published.  A report be submitted to the next available council on these matters.

Cabinet considered a report updating on the current position with odour issues at Walley’s Quarry.

The Chief Executive updated on current complaint data which showed for week commencing 11 April there had been 157 complaints to the council and 725 to the Environment Agency. 

The report outlined that a response had now been received from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to its complaint which stated that the Ombudsman could only consider complaints from individuals not from publically funded organisations such as the council.

Staffordshire County Council had sought a meeting with the relevant government minister on behalf of both the County and Borough Councils and this was scheduled for May.

Resolved: That

(a)  The report be noted;

(b)  A report be prepared for the next available council on what legal action the council can take against not only the Environment Agency (EA) but named individuals in the EA who we feel have failed Newcastle-under-Lyme; and

(c)  This council asks for democratic accountability for the Strategic Co-ordination Group (SCG) and that an elected Member from the relevant authorities – Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and a representative of Staffordshire County Council – sit on the SCG to allow democratic accountability and challenge to the Environment Agency.  In addition, the council asks for the minutes of all meetings of the SCG to be published.  A report be submitted to the next available council on these matters.

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There was no Urgent Business.

There was no Urgent Business.