To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of The Rookery South (Resource Recovery Facility) Committee held on 29 November 2012.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

To respond to general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Appendix A of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

In light of the Council’s previous decision to petition Parliament, this report summarises the current situation and possible financial impacts.

1.      That the current position of the Council with respect to it’s involvement in the Special Parliamentary Process and the final decisions of the Special Parliamentary Joint Committee be noted.

2.      To note the report to the Special Parliamentary Joint Committee on the issues arising from the previous planning application granted for a wind turbine and ancillary infrastructureat the Marston Vale Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine.

3.      To request the Head of Transport Strategy to investigate the implementation of a freight restriction through Woburn.

The Committee received a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that summarised the current situation and likely financial impacts.  The Special Parliamentary Joint Committee (SPJC) had concluded that there was a limited case to answer in respect of the petitions for amendment but only in relation to the Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway. 

Members received a verbal update from the meeting of the SPJC held on 13 February 2013.  The SPJC had focused on the contribution by Covanta towards the infrastructure to the canal culverts. The SPJC agreed that this contribution would be £3.375m towards the construction and administration.  Members also noted the SPJC comments regarding the planning permission granted for a wind turbine and ancillary infrastructure at the Marston Vale Millennium County Park.

It was anticipated that the final report from the SPJC would be published week commencing 25 February 2013.  The Development Consent Order would then be laid before Parliament.  The Environment Agency had been approached by Covanta for a permit to operate the Waste to Energy Plant, but this would not be issued until the Order had been passed by Parliament and all environmental concerns had been resolved.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development moved an additional recommendation, which was duly seconded:-

“2.     to note the report to the Special Parliamentary Joint Committee on the issues arising from the previous planning application granted for a wind turbine and ancillary infrastructure at the Marston Vale Millennium County Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine; and

3.      to request the Head of Transport Strategy to investigate the implementation of a freight restriction through Woburn.”

Members thanked the Mineral and Waste Team for their hard work during the petitioning of Parliament.

Reason for decision:  To inform the Members that the Council’s involvement in the Special Parliamentary Process is coming to an end and a decision had been made.

RESOLVED

1.      that the current position of the Council with respect to it’s involvement in the Special Parliamentary Process and the final decisions of the Special Parliamentary Joint Committee be noted;

2.      to note the report to the Special Parliamentary Joint Committee on the issues arising from the previous planning application granted for a wind turbine and ancillary infrastructure at the Marston Vale Millennium County Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine; and

3.      to request the Head of Transport Strategy to investigate the implementation of a freight restriction through Woburn.