Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Choules and John Staddon (residents representative)

The notes of the meeting held on 9 October 2013 were agreed as a correct record.

It was noted that an increasing number of complaints were now received by email.  Any emails received at the weekend cannot be investigated at that time.  Similarly, emails sent after the occurrence of odour could not be investigated as fully as a complaint made by telephone whilst the problem is occurring.

The majority of regular complainants submit their complaint by telephone to either the City Council or the factory direct, and this enabled investigations to be carried out.

Nick Parsons reported that the site had been re-branded as SecAnim under the SARIA group of companies from 1 March 2014.  SecAnim is synonymous with security in animal processing.

There are two divisions of the SARIA group – SecAnim processes Category 1 materials, and SARVAL processes Category 3 materials.  The trading name will be confirmed to ECC as soon as possible.

The volumes of CAT 1 Raw material within the SecAnim division of SARIA remain stable and tonnages for 2014 were forecasted to be similar to that of 2013.

The new raw material handling system continues to be very reliable.  Further enhancements to draining and containment have been installed.  The final aesthetic improvements to the area were completed in February 2014 with the removal of two effluent/sludge storage process tanks.

Key areas of the plant continue to be invested in to ensure environmental compliance, and the need to reduce the potential odour impact from the effluent treatment plant is recognised.

A summary of the investment in the efflluent treatment plant was provided:

§  Installation of new coolers and blast chillers for process condensate

§  Installation of 100 m3 buffer tank to control feeds stock to activated treatment plant (May 2014 complete)

§  Installation of activated sludge DAF cell to replace outside clarifier tanks (May 2014)

§  BOC trial (30k) for membrane technology completed.  The trial provided encouraging results and the full technical report is currently being finalised and will be discussed with Environmental Health.

In response to a question, Nick Parsons advised that under the new raw material handling system installed, one more complaint had been received over the same period compared to last year.  However, it was anticipated that this upgrade would have more of an effect over the summer period, than the winter period.

A further report was circulated which detailed complaints received since the agenda was dispatched, together with the complaints summary.

The complaints were noted, and it was acknowledged that there were a number of other potential sources in the area where odours could origniate.

Councillor Prowse advised that this would be his last meeting as he was Lord Mayor elect for 2014/15.  He advised that he would approach Councillor Winterbottom as ward councillor if he would be willing to sit on the Group.

Councillor Prowse thanked the Group for their assistance and wished them well for the future.

Nick Parsons, on behalf of the Group, recorded their appreciation to Councillor Prowse for all his support.

The date of the next meeting was noted.