Decision details

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regulation and Compliance which incorporated a copy of the report of the Working Group appointed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) to consider the implications set out in Minute No. 30 of the Council meeting held on 24 July 2014 with regard to the licensing and regulatory framework for shale gas developments.

Councillor Weavers, the Lead Member of the Working Group outlined the recommendations set out in the report. 

Decision Made: That:

(1)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing be requested to establish a Cross-Regulator Working Group, to include Elected Member representation, for all shale gas (and oil) development proposals at all stages;

(2)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing be requested to prepare a “Good Practice and Expectations Document” to provide transparency to the industry and the public and that it is appropriately referred to in the explanatory text to Minerals Policy NH8 within Sefton’s Local Plan;

(3)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing be requested to ensure that the local validation checklist is updated as appropriate to take account of the issues identified in the Scrutiny report;

(4)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing be requested to ensure that Sefton Council’s Statement of Community Involvement is updated as appropriate to take account of the issues identified in the Scrutiny report with respect to matters of community engagement in relation to shale gas (and oil) development;

(5)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing be requested to ensure an Environmental Statement accompanies development that requires it when assessed against the EIA Regulations;

(6)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing be requested to ensure that Environmental Monitoring Plans are agreed at each stage of the shale gas (and oil) development cycle;

(7)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing be requested to ensure that in respect of the Habitat Regulations, any applicant should be advised to engage in early pre-application discussion to ensure that the baseline information provided enables Sefton Council to complete the assessment of likely significant effects of proposed projects; and

(8)       the Head of Regeneration and Housing in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer be requested to complete a regulatory capacity assessment of low, medium and high development scenarios in order to inform resource planning and budget allocation and inform liaison and negotiation with applicants include planning performance agreements of other such similar mechanisms.

Reasons for Decision:

The Working Group has made a number of recommendations that require approval by the Cabinet.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.