Agenda item

To receive an update report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on Veolia’s pre-planning public consultation in relation to the Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility

In November 2011, the Executive Board appointed Veolia ES Aurora Limited as the preferred bidder to treat Leeds’ residual household waste for the next 25 years.  The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided the Scrutiny Board with an overview of Veolia’s consultation activities undertaken to date and also the proposed activities for February and March prior to the submission of their planning application for the Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility, which is due to be submitted in late Spring 2012.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Andrew Lingham, Waste Strategy and Policy Manager

·  John O’Sullivan, Project Director, Veolia Environmental Services

·  Peter Scholes,Managing Director, Urban Mines

The Chair reported that Councillor Mark Dobson, Executive Member for Environmental Services, was unable to attend the meeting due to a recent family bereavement.  Scrutiny Board Members therefore passed on their condolences to Councillor Dobson and his family. 

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  The Scrutiny Board acknowledged the efforts made by Veolia to publicise information about the proposal and also engage with local residents. This included the development of a website (www.veolia.co.uk/Leeds); mail out of leaflets and flyers to 11,500 residents; a free telephone help line, an enquiry e-mail address; drop-in sessions; political briefings and presentations at Community Forum meetings.

·  Despite such publicity, Members were disappointed to note that the drop-in sessions in January only received around 85 visitors.  A brief analysis of the completed feedback forms from these sessions was tabled at the meeting for Members’ information.However, it was noted that there was a broader body of consultation feedback in relation to this initial phase of the consultation that could be made available.

·  Members sought further clarification of the types of issues raised by visitors at the drop-in sessions.

·  Particular reference was made to the health impacts surrounding the proposal.  Members acknowledged that an Environmental Impact Assessment will need be conducted in support of the planning application.  As part of the planning consultation, input will be required from the Environment Agency and the Leeds Primary Care Trust.

·  During the meeting, Councillor R Grahame provided the Chair with a copy of the Environmental Statement for the Knostrop Clinical Waste Incinerator, prepared by Environmental Resources Ltd in May 1991, and requested that a copy be forwarded onto the Waste Strategy and Policy Manager following the meeting.

·  Reference was made to the Community Liaison Group, established to help Veolia understand local needs and opinions.  The first meeting of this group was held on 2^nd February.  It was noted that this group will determine its own membership and is already made up of representatives from various community groups.  The Scrutiny Board requested details of the current membership.

·  It was acknowledged that Veolia are in regular email contact with NO2 Incinerator and they have already been invited to join the Community Liaison Group.  Veolia also contacted Friends of the Earth via their website and the Council’s Leeds Friends of the Earth contact via email, but had received no responses.

·  Members acknowledged that a further round of intensive consultation was planned for March which would provide greater detail on the proposals, including the results of the site exploration surveys, environmental impact assessments and traffic assessments.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report and discussion be noted.

(2)  That a further update on the consultation process be provided to       Scrutiny for information prior to the submission of the planning       application.