Agenda item

Question from Councillor Mandy Berrisford to the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning

“The portfolio holder will be aware that a date of 8th September was set, by Court Order, for the removal of the baled waste from land at Doddlespool Hall Farm, in the Betley area of my ward. Last Sunday evening (17 November), at about 17.00, I was contacted by concerned residents about a fire on the land at Doddlespool Hall Farm. They informed me the fire brigade had been called.  Can the portfolio holder assure me that the Environment Agency has checked the court order has been complied with and the baled, or indeed other waste, was not the source of the fire?  Can the portfolio holder also assure me that the relevant Borough Council Officers have confirmed that, since the fire on Sunday evening, there is no ongoing risk to residents?”

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning stated that it had not been possible to confirm whether the fire concerned baled waste or other types of waste on site.  The Portfolio Holder did confirm that the Environment Agency (EA), via a court order had required the removal of waste by 8 September, 2024 but the understanding was that the court order had not been complied with.  Any further legal action would have to be pursued by the EA.  The EA had been approached by the Council for comment but, as of yet, had not received a response.

The Council, in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council and Cheshire East Council and the EA were currently undertaking a joint investigation with the intention of taking enforcement action against breaches of planning permission and the illegal deposition of waste at the site.

Councillor Berrisford asked a supplementary question:

“Adam Jogee MP had spoken strongly and passionately about waste crime and air quality issues in two recent Westminster Hall debates on 5 September and 14 November respectively.  He mentioned the land at Doddlespool Hall Farm saying that something must be done very urgently.  Will the Portfolio Holder press the EA and the MP to take the necessary action to ensure that the Doddlespool Hall Farm site is compliant with statutory requirements.  Will the Portfolio Holder ask the MP to press the Minister  to hold an inquiry into the waste crime and related failings of the EA.  Finally, given the baled waste remained on the land at Doddlespool Hall Farm for several years, after being reported to the EA as an environmental hazard does the Portfolio Holder have faith in the EA and would he regard the EA as no longer being fit for purpose.”

The Portfolio Holder stated that he would be happy to write to the EA and MP.  It was a long standing problem that needed resolving.  He welcomed the MP’s words on this and hoped that the MP would be working behind the scenes to pressurise the EA to do their job.  The Portfolio Holder did not have confidence in the EA and had not for a long time and considered them to be no longer fit for purpose.

Question from Councillor Paul Waring to the Leader of the Council

“A key part of the Kidsgrove Town Deal funding is £3.65m to deliver an improved, modern Kidsgrove station building, a new transport interchange, and a 200-space car park. There has been concern for some time about the risk to the Kidsgrove Station project because of abnormal ground conditions that has led to a significant funding gap.  It was announced by the previous government in February 2024 that Kidsgrove would benefit from Network North funding as part of an uplift in the Local Transport Fund (LTF) as the result of the cancellation of the Birmingham to Crewe section of the HS2 project. There has been uncertainty about if the new government would honour that commitment.  Can the Leader provide an update on the funding situation?”

The Leader thanked Councillor Waring for his work on the Kidsgrove Town Deal.  Prior to the General Election, the Council was told that the funding shortfall, created by the need for groundworks around the station would be funded by money displaced by the HS2 money scheme following the cancellation of HS2 and there would be an uplift in the local transport fund.  Neither the Council or County Council had heard from Central Government regarding this.  News was expected in the recent budget from the Government but, to date, nothing had come through.  The additional money would need to be in place by early next year so that the project could proceed at pace.  A delay from the Government would put the project at major risk.  The Leader stated that he had written to David Williams MP on 7 November stating the facts and history of this case but as yet no reply had been received but it was hoped that it was being worked on.  The previous MP, Jonathan Gullis had been good at lobbying the Government, taking the Secretary of State to Kidsgrove.  It was not yet known if HS2 was back on as yet.  There were moves to try and reinstate a line between Birmingham and Manchester.         

Question from Councillor Robert Moss to the Leader of the Council

“In regard to the Knutton war memorial what maintenance does the Council carry out and with what frequency does it occur?”

The Leader stated that the change of land ownership, previously NHS land with the former clinic in Knutton came over to the Council as part of the purchases with the Town Deal.  The war memorial was now on Council owned land and it was right that in future the Council would look after it.  The Leader congratulated the fire service, firefighters and community who had brought the memorial back to good condition and going forward needed to be kept in that condition.  The Leader assured that it would be put onto the rota to be looked after.

There had been a number of enquiries regarding the maintenance of the Wolstanton memorial too and earlier in this meeting had referred to the cenotaph in the town centre.  Conversations had taken place with the Chief Executive regarding the using of Civic Pride to work with community groups and using funding streams and council staff to ensure that the memorials were a credit, particularly next year for the 80^th anniversary of VE Day.

Councillor Moss asked a supplementary question:

Before asking the question, Councillor Moss stated that himself and a Mr Ian Egan cleaned up the war memorial in Knutton for five hours on the 7^th November and the fire service turned up to wash down the slabs at Councillor Moss’ request.

“ May I request to be sent the maintenance programme for 2025 and be given assurances that the Knutton monument would be in good order for Remembrance Sunday in 2025”

The Leader asked that the Portfolio Holder contact Councillor Moss after this meeting to confirm those arrangements”.

Question from Councillor Fox-Hewitt to the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth

“Can the portfolio holder confirm if an impact assessment or viability report has been undertaken following the decision by Lucideon to withdraw from the Chatterley Valley Business park, and cancel their planned bespoke HQ, citing a substantial increase in costs for the site?”

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth stated that no impact assessment had been undertaken on Lucideon’s decision to withdraw from the Chatterley Valley Business Park.  It was not deemed necessary as the Council was actively working on an alternative site with a company who wished details to remain confidential at this time.  It was also worth mentioning that the Chatterley Valley site was in private ownership and the part that Lucideon were interested in was one of the smaller plots available.  The Council was aware that a whole development was now being actively marketed by the developer/owner Howarths who were confident that all plots would be occupied and the units and employment opportunities would be delivered.  But, as with all such developments in this arena with the continuing worsening economic situation it was a challenge.

Councillor Fox-Hewitt asked a supplementary question:

“Is the Chatterley Valley West project still going to deliver the 1700 jobs and £72m gross value added per annum as promised as part of the business case for the Town Deal”,  

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth had heard that it was.  It was a private company that were running it and they would obviously want a return from their investment and he saw no reason why they should not get it.  They were actively marketing the entire site, the County Council had put some money into it for the roadworks and this Council had put money into it from the Town Deal Fund to open the site up.

Question from Councillor Andrew Fox-Hewitt to the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing

“Following the news that nine fire stations/teams have withdrawn from the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service 'three person crewing trial', whereby staff assert that the service is violating the management Health and Safety Regulations 1999, can the portfolio holder provide an assurance that the administration still have full confidence in the trial, and an assurance that both fire fighter and public safety here in Newcastle is not at risk as a result of this trial continuing.”

The Portfolio Holder stated that Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service had the operational responsibility for crewing arrangements, including for this trial.  They would continue to keep partner agencies advised of the findings of the trial ahead of a decision at the end of the year.  Initial feedback had been that response times since – some cases had been improved but it was understood that senior fire officers also acknowledged that concerns had been raised that they would seek to address.  The Council worked closely with the fire service including, in responses to recent fires at Walleys Quarry and Kidsgrove and had worked in strong partnership with the service and the incident management of the Walleys Quarry odour issues, referenced in the earlier Council report where the fire service had led on chairing agency coordination.

Councillor Fox-Hewitt asked if the administration still had full confidence in the trial having articulated support for it in the appearance before Scrutiny Committee so did the administration still support the trial.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the fire and rescue service had the operational responsibility but as they were aware of the issues and looking into them she was reassured that they would continue to work within their safety guidelines.  An update would be given by them to the Scrutiny Committee next year.

Councillor Fox-Hewitt asked a supplementary question:

“Can the Portfolio Holder update Council as to whether the Newcastle and Kidsgrove Fire Stations were still operating under that trail, given that they service and represent the safety of our residents”.

The Portfolio Holder advised that this would be looked into and a response provided to Councillor Fox-Hewitt.

Watch the debate here