Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Environment covering the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service’s report, which had been produced in accordance with the agreed governance arrangements for the preparation of the Joint Merseyside Waste Development Plan Document (DPD). This had been done in collaboration with officers from other Districts that were part of the Joint Waste DPD. The core contents and recommendations of the report were the same for all the local authorities involved in the preparation of the Joint Waste DPD to ensure that each district was following exactly the same statutory planning process.

It was noted that the report was seeking approval for the Issues and Options report for public consultation purposes as the first stage in the statutory planning process. A copy of this document, which asked specific consultation questions to structure the consultation process and guide the development of more detailed and specific policies at preferred options and submissions stages, had been circulated for Members’ consideration.

It was noted that the consultation period would last for six weeks until 6^th April 2007 after which a “results of consultation report” would be prepared along with the policy response to the issues raised. This would be accompanied by the required sustainability appraisal commentary.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       the issues and options report be approved for public consultation commencing 23^rd February 2007;

(2)       a consultation response to the issues and options report be prepared by 6^th April 2007; and

(3)       further reports on progress of the Waste DPD project, including the results of the consultation on issues and options, preferred options report and financial matters, be received later in 2007.