Agenda item

The Strategic Lead, Planning and Policy Projects, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to inform Members that West Berkshire Council had invited representations about its West Berkshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Issues and Options and the work in progress on the response for submission by the  28^th February 2014 deadline.

The Officer stressed the importance of securing available primary and secondary aggregates as economic drivers for delivery economic growth. The large volumes and different types of waste and their destination remained of great significance within Berkshire. Landfill taxes had resulted in diverting waste away from landfill and into waste recovery.

The importance of acknowledging why Slough BC should make representations to West Berkshire during the preparation of the Minerals and Waste Plan was noted. Slough BC had incorporated the saved minerals planning policies of the 2001 Replacement Minerals Local Plan into its 2013 Composite Local Plan for Slough.  It was also highlighted that Slough has received significant investment in the waste field including  a variety of facilities for new waste recovery, energy from waste and other new technology with greater capability for handling recycled materials.

The Officer confirmed the annual aggregates assessment has been produced for the whole of Berkshire, with the LAA evidence suggesting forecasts be based upon an annual supply in the region of 890K tonnes from Berkshire sites.

The Committee noted that West Berkshire Council had only recently issued its consultation exercise on its published Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Issues and Options and it was important that Slough BC maintain its interest in these matters for the reasons set out in the report.

Resolved-

(a)  That the publication of a Consultation Document on Issues and Options about Minerals and Waste Local Planning in West Berkshire be noted;

(b)  That the representations as set out in para 5.24 of the  report be endorsed and the response be delegated to the Strategic Lead, Planning Policy for submission.