Agenda and minutes

Lower Thames Crossing Task Force - Monday, 22nd January, 2024 6.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL

Contact: Jenny Shade, Principal Democratic Services Officer  Email: direct.democracy@thurrock.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

15.

Apologies for Absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Sara Muldowney (Vice-Chair) and Co-Opted member Laura Blake.

16.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 89 KB

To approve the minutes of the Lower Thames Crossing meeting held on the 16 October 2023.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force held on the 16th October 2023 were approved as a correct record.

17.

Declaration of Interests

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Minutes:

There were not interests declared.

18.

Final Update on DCO Examination pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were provided with an update from officers. The following points were raised:

 

·       Members were recapped on what the Lower Thames Crossing was set out to achieve.

·       369,000 pages of evidence was produced for the Examining Authority (ExA). This would result in the ExA having to read 150 pages per hour to read all submissions in time for their recommendation deadline.

·       Approximately 3,000 submissions made, the Local Authority submitted 31 including appendices. Thurrock Council’s case has been put forward.

·       Officers reviews the objectives listed on page 14 of the agenda.

 

Members asked and raised the following questions:

 

·       The Chair noted the loss of the Green Belt would be tragic.

·       Cllr Speight shared his concerns regarding the Section 106 agreement and asked what the Local Authority had signed up for.

o   Signed version is in the public domain.

o   4 full time officers for 7 years and 2 officers on shorter contracts working on heritage and health impacts.

o   Contribution of £100,000 to a pedestrian crossing on Brennan Road.

·       Cllr Speight noted the impact on residents of the borough for little in return.

·       Officer informed the Task Force that only Thurrock Council, Essex County Council and the London Borough of Havering signed a Section 106 agreement. Those who did not sign the agreement will have a unilateral undertaking. Thurrock Council would have been offered less if it did not sign.

·       Cllr Speight was disappointed that the opinion of the members of the Task Force was not asked for.

·       The Chair asked what the London Borough of Havering was offered in its Section 106 agreement.

o   London Borough of Havering received officer contributions.

·       The Chair asked if a reason was given why no authorities on the south side of the river signed a Section 106 agreement.

o   Unknown at the time.

·       Officers did not believe the Green Belt assessment was not adequate.

·       Cllr Speight asked officers when they believed the Lower Thames Crossing would be complete.

o   Decision expected 20th June 2024, construction start 2026, completion 2032 at the earliest.

·       Cllr Speight noted there was not a date for the building of the pedestrian crossing.

o   Officers informed the Task Force that the document stated the pedestrian crossing would be constructed no later than 2026, there was nothing to suggest it could not be delivered sooner.

·       The Chair asked for an explanation on inadequate legacy provisions.

o   Of 22/23 items on legacy proposed by the Council only 5/6 were agreed by National Highways.

·       The Chair asked if there was any new information regarding emergency services.

o   All material before the Examining Authority.

·       The officers informed the committee the recommendations on the 20th March is not published until the Secretary of State’s decision.

·       Cllr Speight asked what would happen if a General Election was called in mid-2024.

o   If an election would be called a decision would be made after the election.

·       Co-Opted member Robert Quick noted there was a lot of work to do for the Local Authority to be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.