Issue - meetings

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

·        To select appropriate items from the Cabinet (Finance) Sub Committee agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (Cabinet Finance Sub - Committee reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

The Committee scrutinised the following Cabinet Board items:

Management of Risk and Liabilities of disused Mine and Quarry Tips within the Authority and the future management of Coal Tip Safety.

Members were advised of the risks and liabilities associated with the historic coal and quarry waste tips within the Authority. Members were also update on the work of the Welsh Government Coal Tip Safety Task Force and the Law Commissions consultation exercise on the future management of Coal Tip Safety in Wales, as detailed within the circulated report.

Members shared concerns around the responsibilities that now lay with private owners and the Local Authority. It was felt that the purpose of the Coal authority were to manage these sites, however the land owners were now required to maintain these spoils which have an impact on cost. It was asked that these concerns be raised with the Law Commission. Officers understood the concerns raised by members and reassured members that they had also raised the same concerns with Welsh Government. It was noted that discussions had taken place around potential funding that maybe available to help fund these costings imposed on the private land owners.

Members expressed further that they would like consideration to be given in writing to the Law commission raising the concerns around the responsibilities around monitoring and maintenance that now lie with the land owners.

Members asked what monitoring were there around the spoil tips of open cast mining. It noted that the large open cast mines within the county borough are designed to be stable, copies of the plans of the mines are sent to NRW and the Coal Authority to ensure the safety for future generations.

Confirmation was sought around whether Category C and D tips that weren’t included in the bids would still be inspected. Reassurance was provided and officers confirmed that inspections of all Category C and D tips would continue dependant on future funding.

Discussions took places around the 7% of tips that are unregistered and what monitoring would be required. Officers highlighted that the council currently doesn’t have a duty where it would be required to take responsibility. However, it was noted that the Council may well wish to step in on these occasions for preventative safety measures. Therefore, it was noted that within the consultation response officers would reiterate these concerns and ask that the responsibilities be reconsidered due to the lack of resources and experience with in the council, allowing responsibility to be with Welsh Government and the Coal Authority.

Members asked where the coal tips are located in Neath Port Talbot. Officers explained that there are 404 Coal Tips located all over Neath Port Talbot and explained that identification of the locations is unavailable at this time, however can be shown outside the meeting. Officers also explained the details of the categories of the Coal Tips.

Members discussed what monitoring was in place for the voids left from previous tips as there were concerns around the body responsible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1