Agenda item

That the contents of the update report be noted.

The Leader introduced a report updating Cabinet on the latest position regarding the problematic odours associated with Walleys Quarry.

A milestone had been reached this month – it being one year since the closure of the site.

The Chief Executive referred to section 2 of the report.  Section 2.1 referred to complaint data and, as at today’s date, no complaints had been received by the Council or the Environment Agency (EA).  The past three months had also seen very few complaints compared to the same time last year.

The report included an update from the EA which outlined their immediate actions to prevent serious pollution. 

Multi-agency meetings continued to take place and would continue to happen util, at least, early next year after which the multi-agency groups would assess the next phase/activity.

The Leader stated that there had been media interest, marking the first anniversary of closure of the site.  The Leader had spoken to Radio Stoke and been on Midlands Today regarding the Council’s position that the local tax-payer should not fund the restoration of the site and that it should be funded by Government money.  In addition, there was still the call for a public inquiry, although there had been a further knock-back from the government minister.

The Deputy Leader, referring to section 1.6.3 of the report, was disappointed that the local MP had not responded to two letters sent to him requesting assistance in this matter  and still calling for a public inquiry.

The Leader stated that the local MP, although having not responded to the letters, had commented on Radio Stoke indicating that restoration was underway.  The Chief Executive was asked to confirm that the works that had taken place over the past twelve months were not restoration of the site  but actually works to enable it to remain an odour free site.  In addition, the MP had claimed that a public inquiry should take place after restoration of the site had been completed.  The Chief Executive was also asked to confirm the  length of time for restoration to take place which was believed to be up to twenty years.

There was no government money to restore the site.  Over the past year, it had been the bond money – put aside by the previous company to keep the site going and not creating odours.

The Chief Executive stated that the last update received from the EA showed clearly that their work was to prevent serious pollution under their powers.

It was believed that the bond had, or was about to expire and the EA were working on their resource plan under their powers to carry on the works.

The restoration would be to the previous plan set out in the original planning permission and the process could take decades to complete.  This would be a key phase of the next multi-agency discussions – what the restoration would look like and how it would be funded.

Regarding a public inquiry, the Chief Executive was of the view that an inquiry was not dependent upon the end outcome of the site but should focus on lessons to be learned in terms of preventative activity in the future.

The Leader thanked Council officers for the work that was being put in – working with the EA to ensure that the preliminary works paid for through the bond, were carried out correctly.

Following last weeks Health, Wellbeing and Environment Scrutiny Committee, the Leader and the Chair of the Committee had again written to the local MP asking him to clarify his position.

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

Watch the date here