Issue - meetings

To receive and note a verbal update on progress made following the request for a site investigation of land to the rear of Thames Side.

Claire Lucas, Principal Air Pollution Officer, gave a verbal update on further investigative work undertaken to ascertain if there was sufficient evidence to request a site investigation of the land and which body had jurisdiction for this.

The Committee was advised that:

·         The Freedom of Information request (FOI) submitted to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was considered too broad and they had suggested a more refined approach.   A further request had been made for a five year period based on the BBC article and other information available and the MOD response was awaited.

·         Officers had spent a significant amount of time reviewing data received in relation to the site permit to the north of the M3 and requested follow up information.

·         A request had been made to Esso requesting any relevant data they may have for that area in relation to the pipeline site investigation works carried out for the Southampton to London pipeline.  They were not subject to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and it was hoped they may respond on a voluntary basis, however no response has been received to date.

·         The Environmental Health team had looked into the possibility of monitoring techniques for flooding events for ground gases but concluded this was not possible as there were so many variables to consider, including types of gases, the configuration of premises and how the premises were ventilated.

·         Legal advice was expected later this month.

A report was to be prepared for the next Committee meeting in March 2022.

The Committee resolved to note the verbal update.