Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report setting out the findings and recommendations of a Scrutiny Committee of Inquiry following a Council resolution to undertake a public hearing.

The Chair of the Committee of Inquiry, Councillor Bettley-Smith introduced the report stating that the Committee had met on five occasions prior to the first inquiry day which took place on 23 July.  A second Inquiry took place on 14 August.  The findings of the Committee were listed on page 28 of the agenda report.   And the recommendation were listed at page 33 of the report.

It had been reported in a Parliamentary debate that Walleys Quarry was the worst performing landfill site in the country.

Councillor Dave Jones stated that the impact of Walleys Quarry on residents had been the Council’s primary focus for several years and the odours continued to have a detrimental impact on people’s health.  Public Health and the UK Health Security Agency had stated that the levels of H2S in the environment surrounding the site was of a concentration that would impact on human health, both physically and mentally.

The Leader stated that the report had been built on vigorous analysis, community input and expert guidance.  It could now be used by the Council to push for closure of the quarry and capping of the site and holding the Environment Agency to account for their failings.  The report should go to the Office for Environmental Protection for them to investigate.  It should also go to the new government and the new Secretary of State as the Council still wished to see a public inquiry.

Councillor Sweeney questioned what the point was of the Environment Agency if they could not deal with issues such as this. 

Councillor Whieldon stated that no representative from Walleys Quarry was present throughout the Inquiry but they had put something in writing which stated ‘we note that the UK Health Protection Agency concluded in a recent study that living close to a well-managed landfill site does not pose a significant risk to human health.  We work hard to ensure our operators do not impact local communities’.   This quote suggested that with the report of the Committee of Inquiry and all of the medical responses – Walleys Quarry was not a well-managed site.

Councillor Fox-Hewitt stated that some of the witness testimonies had been shocking and upsetting.  There was a need for all who were responsible – the operators and agencies to be held accountable. 

Councillor Adcock stated that there had been many opportunities to resolve the matter sooner if the right people had been listened to.  Local doctors had not been listened to regarding the health impacts of raising the tonnage; local campaigners had raised concerns about illegal dumping occurring; people had previously raised concerns about the risk of fire.  What was needed now was for people to be listened to.

Councillor Brown stated that she had met a lady, completely by accident, who lectured in waste management and she had a slide referring to Walleys Quarry entitled ‘what can happen when things go badly wrong’.

Councillor Parker stated that the smell was becoming part of the norm.   In addition, lorries were parked along Cemetery Road and Silverdale Road early in the morning, waiting for the site to open.

Councillor Fear referred to a Task and Finish Group that he chaired many years ago and never thought that it would still be an issue today.  A public inquiry was still needed and deserved. 

In summing up, the Leader stated that the report united everyone and was a call to action.  It was key that the recommendations  in the officer’s covering report were implemented and taken forward and the Leader stated that he would ensure that  the report went with enforcement to the Environment Agency and the Office for Environmental Protection.

Resolved:    (i)       That the report of the Committee of Inquiry at Appendix 2,

be received.

(ii)      That the recommendations in the report be noted.

(iii)      That authority be delegated to the Council’s Chief Executive to implement agreed actions as they relate to the Borough Council in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, and that the Chief Executive liaises with the necessary external authorities for their actions.

(iv)     That updates on progress against recommendations be provided regularly to Cabinet and the relevant Scrutiny Committees.

(v)      That Full Council receives further updates as required on

actions

Watch the debate here