Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting a general update and written response from the Environment Agency in relation to Peckfield Landfill Site.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which presented a general update and written response from the Environment Agency in relation to Peckfield Landfill Site.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor James Lewis, Ward Member for Kippax and Methley

-  Louise White, Minerals & Waste Team Leader, City Development

-  Christine Boothroyd, Local resident and member of the Peckfield Liaison Committee.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The Board noted the written response of the Area Environment Manager (West Yorkshire) at the Environment Agency as well as acknowledging the meeting held between her and the Scrutiny Board Chair on 24^th November.  In Councillor Procter’s absence, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser gave a brief overview of the issues raised during this meeting, with particular reference made to the existing demands placed upon the Environment Agency resources available across the district.

·  Concerns were still raised that the Environment Agency had declined an invitation to attend today’s meeting.  Whilst the Board acknowledged the willingness of the Area Environment Manager (West Yorkshire) to also meet with the new Scrutiny Board Chair, it was felt that this should be extended to the full Scrutiny Board.  As such, the Board requested that the new Scrutiny Board Chair continues to liaise with the Environment Agency to stress the importance of their attendance and to make arrangements for them to meet with the full Scrutiny Board.

·  The Board discussed the role of the Peckfield Liaison Committee and it was suggested that Board Members may also wish to attend and observe a future meeting of this Committee.

·  The Board noted that local residents had now sought the assistance of the local MP to escalate this matter and were also seeking support to declare the current situation as a statutory nuisance under the Environment Protection Act 1990 with a proposal to seek a reduction in council tax for the residents of Micklefield and Peckfield.

·  The Board continued to discuss the role of the Council and the Environment Agency, particularly in terms of holding the operator to account.  Linked to this, the Board discussed the distinctions between the role of the Environment Agency and the Council’s Environmental Action Teams.

·  The Minerals & Waste Team Leader provided an update from a planning perspective and highlighted the operator’s intention to submit a S73 Variation of Condition planning application aimed at addressing existing phasing and access issues on site.  The Board discussed potential submission deadlines and noted that this was likely to be February/March 2017.

·  Particular clarification was sought regarding the operator’s environmental management system.  It was suggested that the Environment Agency be asked to provide further details regarding this.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the written response provided by the Environment Agency, be noted.

(b)  That the progress update provided by the Council’s Minerals & Waste Planning Team, be noted.

(c)  That the above requests for information be provided.

(d)  That the new Scrutiny Board Chair continues to liaise with the Environment Agency to stress the importance of their attendance and to make arrangements for them to meet with the full Scrutiny Board.

(Councillor A Khan left the meeting at 12.20pm during the consideration of this item.)