Public Meeting re. Bowithick Civic Amenity Site
31st May 2006, 6pm, Camelford Liberal Club
Attendees:
Dan Rogerson opened the meeting and thanked all those who attended, and asked that ‘register’ of attendees be completed. Introduced speakers.
Cllr Coomber- Many people have approached her regarding Bowithick. She has had more contact over this issue than any other in the last year. Glad that so many people care. Cllr Coomber assured attendees that she would fight to keep Bowithick open, but this may not be as it is currently. Suggested that Bowithick be used as a ‘pilot’ project, and CCC looks at new ideas. Doesn’t think Bowithick will close, but we must be realistic about its use and associated costs.
Cllr Brown – Thanked attendees for their interest. Every level of local government represented tonight. 40 mile round trip to other facilities ‘not on’. However, Bowithick must change due to new legislation re H&S and waste management.
Cllr Paynter – CCC has received 100+ letters re Bowithick. Gave brief summary of context/history; of 11 tips in county, Bowithick has second lowest tonnage. Also lack of services – water and electricity. Access is poor and running costs are high, and investment is needed to bring site up to scratch. Environment Agency has advised work needs to be done to drainage. Also much work to do with H&S, and also access for Highways dept. Bowithick currently on temporary planning consent.
Site will continue to run ‘as is’ for next 12 months to allow for further options to be investigated. CETA (proposed new waste management company), will look at ways to keep site open, but not necessarily as it is now.
Must be mindful that other areas like Truro and Falmouth have no facilities at all.
Wants facilities to increase, but not duplicate those already provided by NCDC.
Wants best services for best cost.
Questions and comments taken from the floor:
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Question / Comment |
Response (where applicable) |
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H&S has gone mad |
Agreed. H&S has ‘cracked down’ recently due to incidents at civic amenity sites in other areas of the country. £20mil earmarked for facilities across the county. Change in legislation means skips have to be covered. In 5 years, no sites will be as they are now due to changes in the law. |
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Why was tonnage quoted from Feb/March when this must be the lowest time of year for usage. What about garden waste in spring/summer? |
Yes they are the lowest months, but CCC has statistics for all months. |
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Why does the site need electricity and water? |
Basic human right.
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How many people use the site? |
Assumed figures 25k visits p/a, but further survey to be carried out over the next 12 months. |
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Why do skips need to be covered? |
Environment Agency doesn’t want rain water running through skips and out of the bottom. |
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If site closes, fly tipping will become a bigger problem. |
Agreed. |
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Why weren’t Parish Councils advised of meeting tonight? |
Dan Rogerson – apologised. Meeting set up at short notice. |
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Bowithick would have been closed by now if public hadn’t made ‘such a fuss’. |
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Tourists don’t return if area dirty with fly tipping. |
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Has CCC compared costs of closing site with cost of increased fly tipping? |
No. Fly tipping responsibility of NCDC. Saving if closed £150k p/a. |
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1738 tonnes per year, 3 bags per 40 mile round trip. Environmental costs assessed? |
Considered. Always intended to offer alternative service if site closed. Rural Devon being looked at as an example. |
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Millions spent on Tintagel regeneration is a waste if fly tipping becomes worse. |
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Why is public meeting being held in political place? (Bob Ellison) |
Dan Rogerson – comments taken on board. Meeting held at short notice. Lib club was available. |
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When studies are completed, will the public be consulted? |
Yes. But please write in now with any suggestions and needs/wants. |
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H&S don’t care when the site is open, just that it’s up to standard. If electricity and water are needed for 1 day or 7, why open for shorter periods? |
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What % of costs will be saved if site closes? Small % only for site itself, rest is for disposal which will still apply if waste is taken elsewhere. |
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Can collection services be improved? |
Trying to work something out with NCDC. |
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What about dumped cars? |
Legislation prohibitive to collection. However, NCDC will collect cars and other bulky items from owners for £10. |
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Are CCC ‘bothered’? |
We’re here!!! |
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Will paid representatives please listen – if the money needs to be spent, then spend it! |
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Why is CCC providing bottled water to Bowithick employee as the site is on mains? (CCC previously stated no mains water) |
2 x surveyors said not on mains, but will investigate again. |
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Why were Parish councils not told about proposed closures? |
No decision had been made. |
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If it will cost so much to upgrade the site, will it close in 12 months anyway? |
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Can CCC confirm or refute that plans have been drawn up by CETA for all sites except Bowithick and 3 others? (Jenny Finch) |
CETA looked at all 11 sites and suggested that 3 more sites were needed in the county. No plans were done for Bowithick or St. Ives due to low tonnage. This was a ‘desk exercise’ only. |
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There is such good service from the employee at Bowithick. What will happen to his job? |
CETA will take on all staff from all sites. |
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Who owns the site? |
CCC |
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Why was Bowithick not on the recent information leaflet? |
Bowithick and another site were to remain CCC run. The sites on the leaflet were being run by a private contractor. |
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Why are CCC considering a French company? |
CETA is a French owned company, but CCC are dealing with CETA UK. |
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Why are CCC looking at a 30 year contract for waste management? |
Difficult to answer. There are large capital costs and the government won’t help. |
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We understand that there are other areas in the county with poor or no facilities, but please don’t take away our service to give it to someone else. (Mel Baber) |
Would like to keep all sites open if possible, and create additional ones. |
7.10pm Cllr Paynter left the meeting to attend a prior engagement.
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Rumours came from me (Mr Gardiner), as I have a letter from Cllr Paynter (to CETA) stating that Bowithick would not be included in the PTI contract. Letter also states that Cllr Paynter did not anticipate Bowithick remaining open after October 06. |
Bowithick cannot remain as it is. Significant investment is needed.
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How much research has been done by CCC (not CETA), before signing a 30 year contract? |
CCC looked at a range of options and then asked contractors to submit proposals based on preset targets. |
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How will future information be fed back to the public? |
Will go to members, then public. Unsure how this will be done yet. Will also consult with NCDC. |