Issue - meetings

Report number:     CAB/WS/24/013

Portfolio holders: Councillors Gerald Kelly and Jim Thorndyke

Lead officer: Jen Eves

Resolved:

That the draft West Suffolk Contaminated Land Strategy for the period January 2024 to January 2029, as set out in Appendix A to Report number CAB/WS/24/023, be adopted.

(Report number CAB/WS/24/013)

The Cabinet considered this report, which was recommending adoption of the West Suffolk Contaminated Land Strategy for the period to January 2029 (as set out in Appendix A to Report number CAB/WS/24/013).

Councillor Gerald Kelly, Portfolio Holder for Governance and Regulatory, drew relevant issues to the attention of Cabinet and explained that the proposed Strategy would form part of a framework affecting the quality and use of land locally. It followed the principles of sustainability, aiming to achieve a balance between social, economic and environmental concerns, whilst meeting the authority’s statutory obligations and corporate responsibilities to protect and improve human health and the local environment.

Following a review of the Strategy, it was found to continue to meet the Council’s responsibilities. A few minor amendments were made to ensure the document was up to date (as set out in paragraph 2.2 of Report number CAB/WS/24/013).

The priorities by which West Suffolk Council would continue to deal with contaminated land were also outlined within the Strategy and included:

·         Protecting human health, controlled waters, designated ecosystems and damage to property from existing land pollution.

·         Encouraging sustainable clean-up practices to return land to a condition that was fit for use.

·         Encouraging re-use of previously developed and/or brownfield land.

Resolved:

That the draft West Suffolk Contaminated Land Strategy for the period January 2024 to January 2029, as set out in Appendix A to Report number CAB/WS/24/023, be adopted.