Agenda item

To provide Members with an overview of the work that the Tip Safety Team have undertaken in the last year with respect to the management, monitoring and oversight of disused coal tips within the County Borough.

The Head of Infrastructure and Asset Management presented the report to Members to update them on the work that the Tip Safety Team have undertaken in the last year with respect to the management, monitoring and oversight of disused coal tips within the County Borough. The report was supported by a presentation to Members.

Following conclusion of the presentation the Chair invited Members to ask questions of the officers

A Member referred to the vacancies within the teams and noted that they were being filled by agency staff currently and asked what the long terms plans were for permanently filling the vacancies. The Head of Infrastructure and Asset Management responded that they have received authorisation to re-advertise the posts but advised they were navigating a limited market for the skills and experience required for the post along with salary competition.

A Member referred to a public meeting held in which there was a limited attendance and asked if the Council were doing enough to raise awareness of the issues.  The Officer acknowledged that there was low attendance at the meeting and this is something the team are looking at.  She added that residents are encouraged to raise their queries if they do have specific concerns.

A Member asked what powers the Council has on private tip owners.  The Officer responded that there were a number of private tip owners in RCT but the powers the Council have are limited.  She advised that if there were immediate safety concerns, they could call a “black defect” which in effect would mean that action should be taken immediately. She concluded that irrespective of ownership the Council undertakes the safety inspections.

A Member asked what the longer term commitment from Welsh Government is to address the issues regarding tip safety going forward. The Officer responded that she was not aware that Welsh Government have given ongoing longer term commitment to funding for coal tip safety but Committee can be advised if the situation changes.   Members raised questions in relation to tips in Tylorstown and Ton Pentre and asked for regular reporting on the issue back to Committee. The Officer acknowledged and added that if Members do have any specific queries in relation to tips in their ward / area to contact the Coal Tip Safety Team at any time.

A Member sought clarification on the impacts on costs to the Authority as well as any crossover with flood alleviation schemes and how this is managed.

The Head of Infrastructure and Asset Management advised that the Council involvement in private tips, also covers Natural Resources Wales and Coal Authority owned tips and they have a duty for the prevention on danger from tips but it should be recognised there are limits to those powers.  She confirmed that this is currently all covered by grant funding which the local authority applies for on behalf of private owners.  She advised that in relation to Tree removal and water management, the Council can undertake maintenance to drainage channels, but they have to apply for water course consent in addition to other regulatory requirements under the framework they have to adhere to. 

A Member asked if the Local Authority consider the removal of the tips where they endanger communities and would this be more cost effective in the longer term.  The Officer responded that the removal has to be done on a priority basis as the cost is very very high and stated that the programme of work that should go forward is to look at the stability of the tip to see what rec of work can be undertaken where tip safety is an issue.

Following conclusion of the report it was RESOLVED to:

1.    Be aware of the work undertaken by the Tip Safety team

2.    Consider the different approaches for Tip Safety with RCTCBC under the Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969, as landowner and with ongoing risk management and prioritisation of resources.

Receive further reports in respect of further scrutiny.