To answer questions received under Council Procedure Rule 6.2.
NB In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 6.2.9 there will be a maximum of 30 minutes allowed for questions and answers. Any question not answered within the 30 minute time limit will receive a written reply within 5 working days.
Minutes:
The following questions were asked under Council Procedure Rule 6.2.2:-
(a) Councillor R Tyrrell asked the following question to Councillor R A Overton, Cabinet Member: Highways, Homes and Enforcement:
"Members will recall the issue of the ongoing environmental issues at the Potters Landfill site at Granville raised at 2 meetings last year. Despite assurances from the Environment Agency that capping is complete, noxious odours and fumes continue to be emitted from the site. Has Cllr Overton received a response to the letter he was intending to send to the Environment Agency?”
Councillor R A Overton responded that the Council has continued to raise concerns to the environment agency who have advised that they were monitoring the situation. Key actions had been completed but as of the time of the meeting there had been no response to the letter sent to the Environment Agency. Ward Councillors would be provided with an update when any response had been received.
Councillor R Tyrrell asked a supplementary question:
"There are two more cells to fill before the site is set to close in 2030. What actions will be taken to minimise these gases, and if capping works were completed in September, why are there still issues? We were also promised result and date form council testing equipment, when can these be expected?"
Councillor R A Overton responded that the Environment Agency were responsible for the site and the action plan. However, the results of the tests carried out using Council equipment would be published on the Council’s website shortly.
(b) Councillor H Morgan asked the following question on behalf of Councillor K Middleton, to Councillor R A Overton, Cabinet Member: Highways, Homes and Enforcement:
"During the last Full Council meeting, there was a lot of discussion about the impact on pensioners over the winter. For the benefit of the chamber and as Ward Councillors, could you talk us through the support that Telford and Wrekin have put in place to support the most impacted pensioners who following the means testing of the winter fuel payments?”
Councillor R A Overton responded that Household Support funding had been used to issue vouchers to pensioners. Almost a further 6000 pensioners who received housing benefit or Council Tax reduction would also receive £100.00 of supermarket vouchers. This constituted an increase of support being issued to a further 2000 customers than in 2024. A campaign had been rolled out over Autumn to advise 900 pensioners of the support they may be entitled to and an information booklet detailing the financial help available to pensioners had been distributed to community centres, libraries and Department of Work and Pension buildings. Councillor R A Overton advised that the Council had also committed to fund the Benefit Advisor post with Age UK for a further 12 months and had provided Age UK with additional funding for an extra four days a week for the next three months, in order to deal with the influx of queries following the change to the winter fuel allowance. In addition to the Government funded Household Support Fund, the council also funds the Emergency Welfare Assistance Scheme, which amounted to £182,000 per year, which provides support to vulnerable residents. The Council would also be investing in a Telford Energy Advice Line to help support with household energy bills.
(C) Cllr N Dugmore asked the following question to Cllr L D Carter, Leader of the Council:
"Will the Council Leader reaffirm that this administration is opposed to Telford & Wrekin Council merging with any neighbouring authority as proposed by this Government?”
Cllr L D Carter responded that whilst the Devolution White Paper does not propose that the Council merge with any of its neighbouring authorities, the Council did have a long-standing tradition of opposing mergers, and this position would not change. Cllr L D Carter noted that the Council was in a good financial position and any proposed merger would not benefit residents, so on that basis the Council would not enter into any discussions regarding a merger with neighbouring authorities.