Agenda item

(i)          That the contents of the update report be noted.

(ii)         That this Council call again for Central Government to announce a public inquiry into the handling of the Walleys Quarry issue by the Environment Agency over a long period.

The Leader introduced an update report on Walleys Quarry looking at the complaints, monitoring information, actions of the Environment Agency (EA) and the Borough Council.

The Chief Executive, Gordon Mole advised that the report provided an update over the last three months.

Odour complaints had peaked in February with a downward trend through March and April but there had been an upturn in May followed by a reduction in June. It should be noted that the number of complaints exceeded those received in June, 2022 and 2023.

There had been 11 odour events (10 or more complaints in one day)  in June.  To date, this month there had been 102 complaints and again, that was higher than in previous years for this period.

The air quality data continued to correlate well with the air quality data of the World Health Organisation as shown on page 15 of the report.  The table showed that the level of hydrogen sulphide was higher at MMF9, sited at Gallingale, compared to the other  MMF’s.

In respect of legal action, the Leader of the Council had written to the Secretary of State on 4July, 2024 requesting permission in relation to legal proceedings.  Following the General Election, a new Secretary of State had been appointed and the Leader wrote a further letter on 9 July urging quick approval of the Council’s outstanding request to bring legal action against the operator.

Leading experts had been instructed to prepare the evidence which had been requested by King’s Counsel in the event that permission was received to proceed.

Regular meetings on these matters would continue between officers and Counsel to collate the evidence.  An Inquiry would be held on Tuesday 23 July at Castle House with a further meeting scheduled for 14 August.

The Environment Agency (EA) had provided an update on the long awaited data adjustment on 8 July advising that their report must be reviewed and cleared by the Chief Scientific Advisor.  The EA understood that the new Ministers would want to review the report before publication.

The Leader referred to the corrective data from the EA stating that it was eagerly awaited by residents.  The complaints received from residents over the last couple of weeks showed that the problem had not gone away.  The suspension period, requiring the operator to carry out certain works to resolve the issue,  had not worked so the EA needed to be called upon again to take action.

Councillor Fear stated that the complaint figures indicated that the problem was getting worse thus showing that Walleys Quarry was not operating as it should and therefore the EA needed to show improvement.  It was hoped that the new Government would allow a public inquiry, which had previously been turned down.

Summing up, the Leader referred to the letter sent to the new Secretary of State asking for a speedy resolution regarding this Council taking legal action.  In addition the Inquiry due to take place next week would provide  recommendations to take to Full Council.

The Leader agreed with the comment made about a public inquiry stating that it should be raised again. The recommendations were amended in respect of this.

Resolved:    (i)       That the contents of the update report be noted.

(ii)              That this Council call again for Central Government to

announce a public inquiry into the handling of the Walleys Quarry issue by the Environment Agency over a long period.

Watch the debate here