Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received by Democratic Services as listed above.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the last meeting of the Committee.

Cllr Whieldon enquired about matters that were to be actioned as referred to in the minutes.

The Chair said that this could be discussed under the relevant items.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2025 be agreed as a true and accurate record.

Watch the debate here

To receive feedback from members who attended the meetings of Staffordshire County Council Health & Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

In the absence of the Chair of the Committee and of the County Council representative who was due to attend no reports could be provided outside of the written update included in the agenda pack.

Issues were brought up by members under the work programme item.

Resolved:     That the District and Borough Health Scrutiny Activity update received from Staffordshire County Council Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee be received.

Watch the debate here

The Service Director for Regulatory Services presented the report on Walleys Quarry former landfill.

Cllr Reece wondered if there had been any progress on the Council’s request for a public inquiry or further comments expressed by the local MP.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services advised that officers hadn’t been informed of any response or comments.

Cllr Whieldon enquired about the relevance of the abatement notice given that the operator was now in liquidation as well as who was now in charge of the site would any further action be required.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services responded that the abatement notice had been served before Walleys Quarry Limited went into liquidation. The site was now dealt with by the liquidators and ownership had been transferred to the Crown. There hadn’t been any odour incidents reported since the closure of the site and no legal action was required at the moment.

Cllr Whieldon raised that the date the operator went into liquidation according the Companies House website was different from that given in the report – 27^th  February as opposed to 28^th February.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services said she would check the dates.

Cllr Whieldon wondered if there was anything that could be done to prompt a response from the local MP further to the solicitation to assist and represent the Council in relation to the request for a Public Inquiry.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services advised that the letter issued to the MP came from the Leader and suggested a similar route might be adequate for a follow up.

The Chair suggested that the Committee could vote on a proposal.

Cllr Whieldon proposed that the Leader write to the MP to reiterate his request for support in matters relating to Walleys Quarry.

Cllr Northcott seconded the proposal, which was approved unanimously.

Cllr Whieldon expressed the wish that the Environment Agency be contacted to provide information about any investigation carried out in relation to what was happening under the capping and if ground water pollution risks were being addressed.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services said that she would put the request forward to the Environment Agency.

Cllr Whieldon asked if the new government Minister in charge of waste had been contacted as suggested by the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services responded that the suggestion was in relation to no replies received from the Secretary of State to the original request for support from the Government in relation to a public inquiry on the work of the Environment Agency.

A negative response had been received in the meantime and published alongside the October Cabinet report stating that the Environment Agency had complied with environmental law and had fulfilled its statutory duties in regulating Walleys Quarry and its ongoing management of the site to prevent the risk of pollution or harm.

Cllr Holland commented that this was the official Government’s response and would be the same regardless of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Cllr Whieldon said that a follow up on the request for a public inquiry on Walleys Quarry and related correspondence would be appreciated at the next meeting.

Cllr Richards enquired about any interventions from the government to prevent pollution around Basford Gate.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services advised that a report went to Cabinet 12 months ago to submit a full business case to improve air quality in the area which was then submitted to the government though the Joint Air Quality Unit. No response had been received since the submission.

In relation to air quality more generally speaking, this was assessed in the borough on an annual basis and the results reported to the Licensing and Public Protection Committee.

Cllr Reece asked if an update on the Tree Strategy could be provided at the next meeting. The Chair confirmed this could be considered.

Cllr Whieldon enquired about Staffordshire Locality Improvement Framework and the difficulty in booking appointments with GPs especially for the elderly who struggle with the new ways of communicating via information technologies.

The Chair advised that the County Council Heath and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee was regularly meeting with the NHS Trust.

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Wellbeing acknowledged this was a bit of a nuisance and the question could be asked.

Cllr Holland suggested that an answer could be sought from the County Council representative who was expected at the meeting and was not able to come, adding that MPs were best placed to do more detailed work on the matter and address digital exclusion.

Cllr Reece supported the suggestion to liaise with the County Council representative on the matter.

The Service Director for Planning advised that this would be passed on so that the issue could be picked up and answers provided at the next meeting.

Cllr Whieldon wondered about statistics referred to in Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership Action Plan and whether a similar document could be produced for the Borough.

The Service Director for Planning advised that such report had been brought to the Committee at the previous meeting and that figures could be provided by the relevant service director.

Cllr Holland commented that percentages were useful as they enabled cross comparison between areas and demonstrated the work put into reducing crime and antisocial behaviours so long as they were going down.

Resolved:     That the Work Programme be noted.

Watch the debate here

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There were no questions received from members of the public.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Resolved:     That the next meeting be held on the 9^th March 2026.