To consider a report by County Councillor Phyl Davies, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Recycling and Assets.
Minutes:
Council considered a report setting out the case for siting the recycling bulking facility at the Abermule Business Park. Strategically located bulking facilities were required in the south, mid and north of the county and the existing arrangements in North Powys were not of sufficient capacity for existing and future requirements, necessitating the development of a new site. The report set out the timeline of decisions and meetings with the local community group and also detailed other sites that had been considered and ruled out.
The Corporate Director (Economy and Environment) gave a presentation on the proposal and together with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Waste and Recycling and officers answered questions from members. In response to members’ questions the Portfolio Holder for Highways Waste and Recycling advised that there was no intention of bringing residual waste to the site but that he could not give a commitment years into the future. He noted that as more waste was recycled the amount of residual waste would decrease and the only residual waste left would be items such as single use plastic that would not attract vermin. It was confirmed that capital had been allocated to develop business units on the site and officers were working on detailed planning consent for the business units.
The local member asked why the building was so big if it was just a bulking facility and if there were any plans to have a baler on site. The Portfolio Holder noted that the depot in Brecon was of a similar size and was fully utilised dealing with slightly lower tonnages. He confirmed that there was no intention to have a baler at Abermule at this time and that waste would continue to be bailed in Brecon, but he could not give a commitment for future years. The local member asked if there was a business case for the site and was advised there was a business plan for the service as a whole but not specifically for the site. Whilst there would be savings through economies of operating out of one facility in the north, the principal driver was to secure the sustainability of the service. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that there were interested parties for each of the planned industrial units.
Officers undertook to provide responses to outstanding Freedom of Information requests.
Members asked where the final decision would be taken and were advised that the final decision rested with the Cabinet. The Leader advised that this was why Cabinet members were not participating in the debate. The Chair of Council agreed to allow a vote so that Cabinet were informed of the view of Council. Cabinet members would not take part in the vote as they were decision makers and members of the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee were advised that they should abstain if they did not wish to be precluded from voting if applications relating to the site came to committee.
County Councillor Gary Price moved an amendment, seconded by County Councillor Liam Fitzpatrick: that this Council does not support the development of a North Powys recycling facility at the proposed Abermule Business Park.
By 8 votes to 7 with 6 abstentions it was
Council adjourned from 12.36 to 12.55. County Councillor G Price left the meeting.
Supporting documents: