Environmental Hub Liaison Board
Thursday 4th February 2016
Minutes
Action
Present:
Cllr Sam Gardner (SG) – Open Spaces Portfolio Holder, Cheshire East Council
Cllr Bernice Walmsley (BW) – Middlewich Ward Member, Cheshire East
Council
Cllr Simon McGrory (SM) – Middlewich Ward Member, Cheshire East
Council
Cllr Michael Parsons (MP) – Middlewich Ward Member, Cheshire East
Council
Jonathan Williams (JW) – Town Clerk, Middlewich Town Council
Ralph Kemp (RK) - Corporate Manager Commissioning - Waste and
Environmental Services, Cheshire East Council
Chris Allman (CA) – Programme Manager, Cheshire East Council
Vicki Walker (VW) – Project Officer, Cheshire East Council
1. Terms of Reference for the group
The construction phase is likely to be disruptive and will cause further discussion
with local residents which needs to be noted. At this time a resident focused
group may not be that productive. Ideally would like a planning officer to be a
member of this group however they may not be able to attend due to conflicts of
interest. Would not stop anyone approaching them directly if required.
Looking to hold 1 group and decision needed on who we would want to attend
the meetings. Possibly 2 residents from nearby homes i.e. Cledford and Booth
Lane. Will also look to elect a chair in the first meeting. Would look to invite an
additional TC member.
Frequency of meetings will be provisionally set at 6 weekly intervals with the first
meeting to be scheduled for 3 March at 5pm, Middlewich Town Hall.
ACTION: VW to send schedule of meetings to attendees
VW
AGREED: SM to chair first meeting until a new Chair is elected by the group
ACTION: RK to speak to planning to assess whether a planning officer could
RK
attend these meetings going forward
The vacant area of hardstanding does not have a waste use allocated and there
are no plans in place for another use at this stage.
Need to ensure that the Town Council are kept informed of any communication
between the contractor (Wates) and residents going forward. This may also
include distribution of a leaflet before construction commences.
SM requested a copy of the construction and operational timeline for the works
on site once available. Concerns were raised regarding the enforcement of the
conditions i.e. contractor parking on the street. CA reassured that this will not be
case and that the vacant hardstanding will be used as the site compound for
parking etc. The Council will also physically enforce this condition.
ACTION: Ability for others to be invited to the meetings to be added into the
Minutes
Action
TOR – VW to amend and share
VW
No construction work will begin on site until the planning authority are satisfied
that all conditions have been met.
2. Aims and goal of CEC and Ansa
3. Outline of project so far
RK gave an overview of work to date. This has included site clearance and
demolition which is now completed. Additional investigations will also be
completed this week which have included plate load testing which tests the
strength of the ground around the site before any foundations are created. 4
areas of historic contamination have been found across the site which will be
suitably remediated.
Planning permission has been granted and work is ongoing to secure an
environmental permit with the Environment Agency. A robust odour control
system has been chosen in discussion with the Environment Agency in order to
counter any possible odour issues.
There is a desire to be as open as possible with residents going forward from all
parties. A full communications plan is in place for the project which will identify
key communication channels going forward.
AGREED: At each key event during the construction phase there will be
communications released by CEC i.e. once the site investigations results are in
There are some concerns within the local community regarding noise from the
workshop in particular, which will need to be managed going forward by CEC /
Ansa.
ACTION: CA / VW to check whether any FOI’s can be shared with Ward
CA / VW
Members when responded to
Air quality checks have been completed on and around site including base line
vehicle emission tests ahead of construction.
ACTION: CA to check that air quality tests were completed in 2015 by the
CA
council and not just as part of the project
Would be useful to have costs for clearing the site to date once available.
Planning conditions need to be clearly explained more widely to ensure there is
no confusion with the community.
AGREED: Notes from this meeting can be shared more widely than this group
for information
Current estimated date for site handover is 20 December 2016.
4. Outline of project plan
Covered above.
5. Concerns of local residents
Covered above.
6. AOB
n/a
Minutes
Action
7. Date of Next Meeting
5pm, 3rd March 2016, Middlewich Town Hall