Decision

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.