Council's landfill legal fund set to rise to £1m

A council's fund for legal action against the operator of a stinking landfill site in Staffordshire is set to rise to £1 million.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is taking action against the firm in charge of Walleys Quarry in Silverdale over alleged breaches of an abatement notice requiring the operator to control odour problems.

The authority had set aside £600,000 for taking Walleys Quarry Ltd to court but councillors will be asked to approve a further £400,000 next week.

Walleys Quarry Ltd said it was focused on managing the landfill to minimise the impact on residents.

The council previously shared data that showed complaints about the site had been higher in six out of eight months so far this year than they were at the same time last year.

The authority received 290 complaints about Walleys Quarry in October, which was the highest number recorded for that month over the last four years.

Council leader Simon Tagg said: "The council is committed to bringing this legal action against the site operator on behalf of residents and to provide officers with the resources they need."

He said members did not have the power to influence legal action, as it was the responsibility of council officers, though they had backed the action taken so far.

The proposal to increase the legal fund comes as the council faces a £1.4 million funding gap in its budget next year.

The extra £400,000 would be taken from the general fund reserve and the budget and borrowing support fund.

Councillors will decide whether to approve the increased funding at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

Walleys Quarry Ltd said it was "stringently regulated by the Environment Agency" and played a "vital role in offering residual waste disposal supporting wider recycling services".

"We recognise the impact that odours can have for local residents, and the team is focused on managing the site to minimise impacts to the community around the site and we will continue to do so," the firm added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.