Issue - meetings

The report outlines the process being taken to investigate landfill gas levels at the former Joco pit and sought endorsement of this approach.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report outlined the process being taken to investigate landfill gas levels at the former Joco pit in Borough Green.  It was noted that increased gas levels at one borehole, recorded in mid-2017, had not stabilised and further investigation was necessary to identify the level of potential risk.

An external consultant had been commissioned to advise the Borough Council and carry out works, which included the drilling and monitoring of 8 additional boreholes.  These would be installed with continuous gas analysers to provide data for 1 month.  The site would then be spot monitored weekly for a further 2 months and the data used to produce an up to date and adequate risk assessment for the site.

Members were pleased to note that following positive drop-in sessions with residents a sufficient number of homeowners had volunteered to have boreholes placed on their properties.

Following consideration by the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services resolved that:

The approach set out in the report, and summarised above, be endorsed to enable further investigation and risk assessment to be undertaken immediately.

Decision Notice D180017MEM

The report outlined the process being taken to investigate landfill gas levels at the former Joco pit in Borough Green.  It was noted that increased gas levels at one borehole, recorded in mid-2017, had not stabilised and further investigation was necessary to identify the level of potential risk.

An external consultant had been commissioned to advise the Borough Council and carry out works, which included the drilling and monitoring of 8 additional boreholes.  These would be installed with continuous gas analysers to provide data for 1 month.  The site would then be spot monitored weekly for a further 2 months and the data used to produce an up to date and adequate risk assessment for the site.  It was anticipated that monitoring would commence by the end of February for a period of 3 months.

Members were pleased to note that following positive drop-in sessions with residents a sufficient number of homeowners had volunteered to have boreholes placed on their properties.

It was also noted that the Audit Committee of 22 January 2018 had recommended that the emergence of a new strategic risk in respect of contaminated land be noted and considered for inclusion in the Strategic Risk Register.  (Minute Number AU 18/3 refers) 

RECOMMENDED: That the approach set out in the report, and summarised above, be endorsed to enable further investigation and risk assessment to be undertaken immediately.