Issue - meetings

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods.

It was RESOLVED that the revised Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy be approved and implemented.

The Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure presented the report of the Executive Manager – Communities on proposed revisions to the Council’s Contaminated Land Strategy to reflect changes in Government policy since the strategy had last been reviewed in 2010.

The Portfolio Holder advised that Contaminated Land was land that posed a significant risk to people, underground waters, surface waters, ecological systems and property because of substances contained within it. It was noted that local authorities were required by law to inspect their areas to identify Contaminated Land, and that if Contaminated Land was found, the Council must take steps to control the risks caused by the contamination.

The revised strategy was attached as an appendix to the officer’s report and proposed that in line with Government policy changes that responsibility to fund the inspection of contaminated land would fall on the on the landowner and their insurance companies through the planning regime. It was noted that the Council would still investigate reports of contaminated land and may take immediate and direct action in extreme cases for example if the contamination was to arise on Council owned land.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Upton advised that it was important that the Council updated its contaminated land strategy in line with new government policy and funding. Councillor Robinson noted that it was important that the Council’s contaminated land strategy was kept up to date to fulfil the Council’s duty to inspect and identify areas of contaminated land in order to reduce the risk that contaminated land possessed to residents.

It was RESOLVED that the revised Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy be approved and implemented.

REASON FOR DECISION

Local authorities are required by law to inspect their areas to identify Contaminated Land. If Contaminated Land is found, the Council must take steps to control the risks caused by the contamination.