Issue - meetings

Somerset County Council has published its Minerals Core Strategy Options Paper, for consultation between 15th December 2011 and 12th February 2012.  The Options Paper identifies a number of issues and potential options relating to future minerals development within Somerset.  Feedback from this consultation will guide the preparation of Somerset County Council’s Minerals Core Strategy during 2012.  The Paper identifies a number of issues and potential options relating to future minerals development within Somerset. 

Bath and North East Somerset Council is a statutory consultee for Local Development Framework consultations and is Minerals Planning Authority.  In view of current concerns over exploration and extraction of energy minerals and any potential impact on the Hot Springs in relation to Bath, a formal response to this consultation is both critical and timely.

Councillor Charles Gerrish in an ad hoc statement welcomed the report.  He explained his concerns about the approach of the Mendip Council, particularly the impact on the Council’s highways of any increase in extraction in the Mendip area as a result of HGV movements.

Councillor Tim Ball, in proposing the item, acknowledged the comments made by Councillor Gerrish.  He also referred to reported seismic events caused by hydraulic fracking in the north of England.  His biggest concern was that extraction in the Mendip Hills might have an unforeseen impact on the source of Bath’s spa waters.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal.  He said that he had asked the two local MPs to sign an Early Day Motion to stop any extraction in Mendip, and that one had so far agreed.  He emphasised the importance of preventing anything which might put at risk the exceptionally high quality of Bath’s waters.

Councillor Roger Symonds referred to Councillor Gerrish’s comments about Heavy Goods Vehicles.  He explained that he was already speaking to Somerset County Council about this matter.  He proposed an amendment which would add the words “Cabinet agrees that the Council will monitor the traffic of Heavy Goods Vehicles passing from Somerset into North East Somerset”. 

Councillors Tim Ball and Cherry Beath both accepted the amendment.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Ball, seconded by Councillor Cherry Beath, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To AGREE that the assessment as set out at Appendix 1 of the report will form the basis of the response to the consultation on the Minerals Core Strategy Options Paper to be forwarded to Somerset County Council by 12th February 2012 to help inform the preparation of Somerset County Council’s draft Minerals Core Strategy; and

(2) To AGREE that the Council will monitor the traffic of Heavy Goods Vehicles passing from Somerset into North East Somerset.

[Clause 2 above was added as a result of an amendment proposed by Councillor Roger Symonds and accepted by the proposer and seconder of the primary motion.]