Report and recommendations of Places Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee attached for response by Cabinet

Report title: Joint People/Place Overview & Scrutiny Comments - Launder's Lane (Arnold's Field)

Presented by: Councillor David Taylor, Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Response from: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Using its Constitutional powers under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees at a joint meeting have made a number of recommendations to Cabinet. Cabinet is required to respond to these.

RECOMMENDATION

That Cabinet considers and responds to the following recommendations made by the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees in relation to the report on Launders Lane (Arnold’s Field) in response to a motion on Arnold’s Field agreed by Full Council.

1.    That the Council review relevant past documents and communication and look at putting together an engagement strategy as to how it communicates in the future.

2.    That the Council look at proactive communication in general on the Launders Lane issue with particular emphasis on the site clean-up and the provision of clear health advice.

3.   That the Council explore advising residents and the landowner to cut back the bush shrubbery.

4. That the Council provide further information on the existence of asbestos on the site

5. That the Council lobby the government to request a tightening of the legislation around smoke with reference to Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

6. The Sub-Committees also recommend that the Council seek legal opinion on its potential exposure to being sued in the future by local residents.

7. That the Council plan to monitor and to detect long term health impacts in order that an action plan around detecting long term health impacts be put in place.

8. That the Council consider a data sharing partnership specifically with the London Fire Brigade.

Response and confirmation that a fuller update will be provided in February

1. Communications & Engagement

The Council has maintained proactive communication with Rainham residents since May 2022 through:

Newsletters, public meetings, presentations, a dedicated webpage, email address, and WhatsApp channels.

The Leader emphasised the administration’s commitment to openness, transparency and honesty.

2. Scrutiny Recommendations

Scrutiny recommendations fall into two themes:

(a) Communications and (b) Improvements.

Key points raised by the Scrutiny Chair:

Recommendation for Cabinet to receive and respond to scrutiny input.

Appreciation expressed for the joint meeting attended by LFB, Environment Agency and residents.

Clarifications were gained regarding the Council’s legal position.

3. Lobbying & Legislative Change

Recognition that current legislation is inadequate.

Council progressing with lobbying for Zane’s Law, supported by continued engagement with the borough’s three MPs and also meetings planned with families and stakeholders involved in prior legal actions.

Aim: improve powers and funding available to councils in dealing with hazardous sites.

4. Long-Term Health Monitoring

Concern noted that health impacts may emerge many years later.

Recommendation: develop a monitoring and detection plan for long?term health impacts.

Council update:

Permanent air quality monitoring in place.

Ongoing work with Public Health, NHS partners and universities.

Further updates will return to Scrutiny (likely in February).

5. Data Sharing

Scrutiny recommended establishing a data?sharing partnership with London Fire Brigade.

Discussion on whether data should be sourced from LFB directly or the Fire Brigades Union.

The union provided insight on firefighter PPE requirements and exposure; use of that data may support public health analysis.

6. Asbestos and Environmental Measures

Soil sampling confirmed asbestos present underground.

Air monitoring during fires confirmed no airborne asbestos.

Extensive environmental monitoring undertaken, including soil analysis and air quality readings.

Council reaffirmed commitment to ensuring residents’ health and wellbeing.

7. Legal Work

The Council has sought KC-level legal advice from the outset to support enforcement and resolution. Judicial Review outcomes contributed to new case law around smoke and contamination considerations.

8. Next Steps

Council will return to Scrutiny with:

Updates on health monitoring, data sharing, asbestos matters and environmental measures.

Timings aligned with outcomes of ongoing work such as drone surveys and contract awards.

Report title: Joint People/Place Overview & Scrutiny Comments - Launder's Lane (Arnold's Field)

Presented by: Councillor David Taylor, Chair of Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Response from: Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of the Council

Using its Constitutional powers under the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees at a joint meeting have made a number of recommendations to Cabinet. Cabinet is required to respond to these.

Recommendation:

That Cabinet considers and responds to the following recommendations made by the People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committees in relation to the report on Launders Lane (Arnold’s Field) in response to a motion on Arnold’s Field agreed by Full Council.

1.    That the Council review relevant past documents and communication and look at putting together an engagement strategy as to how it communicates in the future. Council has been and continues to be proactive in communicating with the residents in Rainham

2.    That the Council look at proactive communication in general on the Launders Lane issue with particular emphasis on the site clean-up and the provision of clear health advice.

3.   That the Council explore advising residents and the landowner to cut back the bush shrubbery.

4. That the Council provide further information on the existence of asbestos on the site

5. That the Council lobby the government to request a tightening of the legislation around smoke with reference to Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

6. The Sub-Committees also recommend that the Council seek legal opinion on its potential exposure to being sued in the future by local residents.

7. That the Council plan to monitor and to detect long term health impacts in order that an action plan around detecting long term health impacts be put in place.

8. That the Council consider a data sharing partnership specifically with the London Fire Brigade.

1. Communications & Engagement

The Council has maintained proactive communication with Rainham residents since May 2022 through:

Newsletters, public meetings, presentations, a dedicated webpage, email address, and WhatsApp channels.

The Leader emphasised the administration’s commitment to openness, transparency and honesty.

Scrutiny Committee recommendation: a review of communications should still take place despite strong performance to date.

2. Scrutiny Recommendations

Scrutiny recommendations fall into two themes:

(a) Communications and (b) Improvements.

Key points raised by the Scrutiny Chair:

Recommendation for Cabinet to receive and respond to scrutiny input.

Appreciation expressed for the joint meeting attended by LFB, Environment Agency and residents.

Clarifications were gained regarding the Council’s legal position.

3. Lobbying & Legislative Change

Recognition that current legislation is inadequate.

Council progressing with lobbying for Zane’s Law, supported by:

Engagement with the borough’s three MPs.

Meetings planned with families and stakeholders involved in prior legal actions.

Aim: improve powers and funding available to councils in dealing with hazardous sites.

4. Long-Term Health Monitoring

Concern noted that health impacts may emerge many years later.

Recommendation: develop a monitoring and detection plan for long?term health impacts.

Council update:

Permanent air quality monitoring in place.

Ongoing work with Public Health, NHS partners and universities.

Further updates will return to Scrutiny (likely in February).

5. Data Sharing

Scrutiny recommended establishing a data?sharing partnership with London Fire Brigade.

Discussion on whether data should be sourced from LFB directly or the Fire Brigades Union.

The union provided insight on firefighter PPE requirements and exposure; use of that data may support public health analysis.

6. Asbestos and Environmental Measures

Soil sampling confirmed asbestos present underground.

Air monitoring during fires confirmed no airborne asbestos.

Extensive environmental monitoring undertaken, including soil analysis and air quality readings.

Council reaffirmed commitment to ensuring residents’ health and wellbeing.

7. Legal Work

The Council has sought KC-level legal advice from the outset to support enforcement and resolution.

Judicial Review outcomes contributed to new case law around smoke and contamination considerations.

8. Next Steps

Council will return to Scrutiny with:

Updates on health monitoring, data sharing, asbestos matters and environmental measures.

Timings aligned with outcomes of ongoing work such as drone surveys and contract awards.