Agenda item

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 Minister in charge, adding that continuing to engage with the local MP was the best way to keep things moving to bring transparency on the situation for local residents.

Resolved:     1. That the contents of the update report be noted.

2. That the Leader be asked to write to Adam Jogee MP to follow up on his initial letter requesting the MP’s support in matters relating to Walleys Quarry.

Watch the debate here