Agenda item

MOTION ON NOTICE - Combined Heat and Power Plants

Minutes:

Councillor Evans moved the following motion on notice –

 

COMBINEDHEATANDPOWERPLANTS

 

In view of theon-going,seriousanddeeply felt concernsof manyresidentsregardingthelocation of theproposedwasteplantatNorthYard,theCouncilshouldfully investigatetheoptions availablewhich wouldpreventtheplantbeing constructedin itscurrentlocation.To thisend the CouncilinstructstheInterimChief Executive toseek independentlegaladviceon theimplications of theCouncil terminatingthecurrentcontractualarrangementsandrevokingthecurrentplanningconsentandfor thisadvicetobe consideredby CabinetandthePlanningCommitteerespectivelyas a matterof urgency.

 

Irrespectiveasto theoutcomeof thisreview,theCouncil remainscommittedtoactingin thebest longterminterestsof allour residents– particularlywhere public healthandtheenvironmentis concerned.We, therefore,ask thatscrutinyshouldundertakea reviewofall themostrecent evidenceregardingthehealthandenvironmentalimpactof CHPplantson localcommunitiesin built up areaswith the aimof advisingtheCabineton anyactionwhich mightbe appropriate.

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Damarell.

 

Issues raised during the debate included that –

 

(a) 

the administration would be seeking the best possible advice on what options were available regarding the waste incinerator;

 

(b) 

joint work with other local authorities had been excellent and work of officers had been exemplary; they had however reached the wrong conclusion;

 

(c) 

The Incinerator was suitably located on an industrial site,  secured the future of HM Dockyard and was a good deal for the people of Plymouth;

 

(d) 

of most concern was the health implications of the plant, in particular the health impact of particulates which were not adequately monitored in the United Kingdom;

 

(e) 

the environment agency had issued an environmental permit and the plant would reduce the city’s carbon footprint;

 

(f)   

seeking further legal advice would be a significant cost to the authority and was a waste of public money;

 

(g) 

observers at the South West Devon Waste Partnership were not permitted to consider all of the information available,  scrutiny committees had only been provided with redacted information and the process had not been open and transparent.

 

Following a request from ten councillors for a recorded vote, there voted –

 

For the motion (29)

 

Councillors Mrs Aspinall, Bowie,  Casey, Coker, Damarell, P. Davey, Mrs Dolan, Evans, Fox, Gordon, Haydon, Jarvis, McDonald, Murphy, Nelder, Parker, Penberthy, Rennie, Singh, J. Smith, P. Smith, Stevens, J. Taylor, K. Taylor, Tuffin, Tuohy, Vincent, Wheeler and Lowry

 

Against the motion (21)

 

Councillors Ball, Mrs Beer, Bowyer, Mrs Bowyer, Churchill, Darcy, Drean, Foster, Mrs Foster, Fry, James, Martin Leaves, Michael Leaves, Sam Leaves, Dr Mahony, Monahan, Mrs Nicholson, Mrs Pengelly, Dr Salter, Stark, Wigens.

 

Abstentions (1)

 

The Lord Mayor

 

The following members were absent  (5)

 

Councillor S. Davey, Jordan, Nicholson, Ricketts and Williams.

 

Following the vote the motion was carried.

Supporting documents: