Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting a request for Scrutiny from a member of the public.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented a request for Scrutiny from a member of the public, Mrs Carolyn Walker, in relation to the Peckfield Landfill Site near Micklefield.  Mrs Walker had requested that the Scrutiny Board considers the ongoing issues linked to the operation of this site and the role of the Council and Environment Agency in this regard.

Attached to the report was a briefing paper from the Environment Agency summarising the regulatory work undertaken at the Peckfield Landfill Site over the last 12 months.  Also attached was a copy of a community newsletter from the Environment Agency entitled ‘Keeping you informed’ and dated July 2014.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Carolyn Walker, Originator of request

·  Christine Boothroyd, Micklefield resident

·  Councillor Mark Dobson, Executive Member for Cleaner, Stronger and Safer Communities

·  Susan Upton, Chief Officer, Waste Management

·  Catherine Saxon, Area Environment Manager, Environment Agency

·  Robin Bispham, Regulatory Officer, Environment Agency

·  Max Rathmell, Minerals, Waste & Contaminated Land Manager

·  Louise White, Senior Minerals Planner

The Chair invited Mrs Walker to briefly outline the reasons for her request.  In doing so, Mrs Walker also introduced another local resident, Christine Boothroyd, who has been on the local landfill liaison group for over 10 years. 

The following key points were made by Mrs Walker:

·  The Peckfield Landfill Site is in close proximity to the village of Micklefield and has been operating since 1992.  Problems associated with the site have been ongoing for years, with a series of differently named operators being issued with licence breach notices on a regular basis.

·  Mrs Walker explained that many of the complaints have related to odour, litter escape from the site, leachate, insufficient cover on waste at close of business and failure to capture gas.  In relation to odour, it was also highlighted that residents have noticed high levels of odour at night and weekends when the site is not operating.

·  Reference was made to data requested by local residents in relation to the number of compliance assessment reports issued by the Environment Agency in relation to this site since 2008, with a high of 63 being issued in 2013.

·  Acknowledgement was given to the significant level of work undertaken by the Environment Agency, in conjunction with the Council, over the last 12 months, including a ‘Day of Action’ dedicated to addressing the issues linked to this site.

·  Whilst acknowledging that such rigorous monitoring had led to improvements with the site, concern was raised that this has begun to deteriorate again.

·  Reference was made to the Health Protection Agency document ‘Impact on Health of Emissions from Landfill Sites’ published in July 2011.  Whilst this document concluded there was little or no risk to health from well-managed sites, local residents had raised concerns with Public Health England about the potential health impacts surrounding this site.

·  In conclusion, Mrs Walker requested that the Scrutiny Board pursue this matter further, but also took the opportunity to thank the local Ward Councillors and neighbouring Ward Councillors for their ongoing support and also the Leader of Council, the Council’s Chief Executive and Director of Public Health for raising this issue with the Environment Agency. 

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

·  Landfill gas – the Environment Agency explained that there are a wide range of components in landfill gas dependent on the type of waste present in the landfill.  Odours in landfill gas are caused primarily by hydrogen sulphide and ammonia and it was noted that the Peckfield Site had a level of hydrogen sulphide that would create an odour.  It was also noted that gas odours can be more prevalent during lower temperatures.

·  Communication with residents – Members noted that communications and engagement with local residents had primarily been led by the Environment Agency and not the operator.

·  Regulatory monitoring – in consideration of the briefing paper from the Environment Agency, Members acknowledged the significant level of resources invested by the regulator, in conjunction with the Council, in managing this site over the last 12 months.  As such, Members felt that a more proactive approach needed to be developed by the operator.

·  Closure of landfill sites - Members discussed the general implications surrounding the closure of landfill sites and noted that the removal of any operating permit would prevent any further involvement of the Environment Agency and place the onus on the Council to manage the site under the Contaminated Land Regime for which there is no longer any grant provided by Defra. 

In conclusion, the Scrutiny Board agreed to accept the request made by Mrs Walker and undertake a Scrutiny inquiry. The Chair explained that a working group meeting would be arranged to discuss the potential scope for this inquiry.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report and accompanying appendices be noted.

(b) That the Scrutiny Board agrees to take forward the request for Scrutiny made by Mrs Walker and undertake an inquiry.

(c) That a working group meeting be arranged to discuss the potential scope of the Board’s inquiry.

(d) That draft terms of reference for the inquiry are brought back to the Board’s next meeting for formal agreement.

(Councillor A Blackburn arrived at 10.30 am during consideration of this item)