An urgent inquiry into Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) contaminated sites in the Helsby and Alvanley areas has been given the green light – six months after it was ordered by Cheshire West and Chester Councillors who asked for the report by now. PCBs are a group of toxic, man-made chemicals that were widely used in industrial and commercial products before 1980.
Following public concern, all 58 councillors present voted last July to set up a “cross party task and finish group to examine in detail the Council’s approach to this case”.
Yet it was revealed at last week’s Cabinet meeting of the Labour administration that the Councillors involved in the probe were asked to sign confidentiality agreements at its one and only meeting to date.
Explaining the situation, Councillor Adrian Waddelove (Farndon, Con), Cheshire West and Chester Conservative Group Leader, said:
“I am incredibly disappointed that despite a vote at Full Council, which specifically asked that a report be produced within 6 months, we are essentially only kickstarting that process now.
“This Labour administration is not taking the issue seriously or approaching it with the sense of urgency that local residents are expecting. After nine years in power in Cheshire West, it is clear Labour have run out of steam. Residents should be very concerned at the lack of action as the sooner the report is completed, we will know what needs to be done and how long it will take to achieve”.
Councillor Chris Copeman (Helsby, Green), who is a member of the task and finish group, confirmed at Cabinet on January 15 that at its only meeting so far there were attempts by the Labour leadership to “try and get us to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement”.
Speaking afterwards Cllr Copeman said that: “while Cabinet “recognises and has considered request by Council that there be public involvement in the task and finish group”, the fact that this group will be conducted privately, with limited scope for public involvement and Councillors having to sign a confidentiality agreement flies against the accountability that local residents are crying out for.”
Neighbouring Councillor Hugo Deynem (Sandstone, Con) added: “this issue has been dragging on far too long for my residents in Alvanley, where there is real concern around the potential health impacts to those who own and work the land, recreational walkers and pet owners. As a member of the task and finish group I am disappointed that there has been no action or meaningful engagement since the first and only meeting. The January 2025 report to Cabinet falls far short of what local residents and I are seeking”.
Concluding his remarks Cllr Waddelove said that residents deserved a Council which “was transparent in its processes and accountable to residents, but that this was the latest in a line of attempts by Labour-run Cheshire West and Chester Council to ignore scrutiny and silence critics all while getting residents to pay ever more in local taxes for ever fewer services”.
