Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2011/132

Contact: Peter Day, Minerals & Waste Policy Team Leader Tel: (01865) 815544

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Growth & Infrastructure (CMDGI4).

The Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure considered the annual monitoring report for 2011.

Councillor Hudspeth challenged the soundness of the apportionment figure of 1.26 mtpa contained in paragraph 4.3.2.  He understood that the NPPF had made it clear that if a robust enough case had been put forward by a local mineral authority then that authority would be deemed able to determine its own figure for provision of aggregates.  He felt that the County Council had done that and, as the Secretary of State had not questioned the information provided, then the County Council was in a position to consider a more positive form of wording and questioned the accuracy of the figure of 1.26 given the data provided today. The 10 year average was 1,230,000 tonnes which demonstrated that calculations had been correct historically and that that figure could not be challenged. However, if you extrapolated the decline over the last 5 years as the increase for the next 5 years ending in 2015 with a potential of 1,166,000 then that would give room for a near doubling of sales and yet a 10 year average in 2015 of 843,000. That figure was vital as it would then mean that the County’s 7 year land bank would be 5,906,000, a target only missed in 2 out of the last 10 years (2006 & 2007). That would give much needed comfort to residents of Oxfordshire whilst still allowing the industry the ability to double its sales in the coming 5 year period, something that very few businesses would be currently predicting.  Once lower figures had been established everything possible should then be done to ensure compliance with the Local Transport Plan and policy C7 of the draft Minerals & Waste Strategy to reduce mineral miles.

Mr Day advised that this was a factual report to March 2011 setting out the latest data for 2010 and that it might not be the most suitable time to make a policy statement.  The County Council had suggested an alternative figure and the challenge was to get that figure agreed as part of the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy.

Having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before her, the representations made to her and the further considerations set out above the Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure confirmed her decision as follows:

(a)                     to approve the Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Annual Monitoring Report 2011 as set out in the Annex to the report CMDGI4 and as amended in the tabled addenda;

(b)                    to authorise the Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Growth & Infrastructure) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure to carry out any necessary final editing of the Annual Monitoring Report 2011 and to submit it to the Secretary of State and publish it on the County Council website.