At my request, representatives from the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive are to attend the next meeting of Kirklees Council to update members on their investigations into the Grosvenor Chemical Plant fire and what will be been done to protect local, residents and environment from a similar incident in the future.   The meeting is to take place on Wednesday 18 January 2012. 

I proposed to council in September that the two bodies be invited to attend and brief members after receiving a deputation from the Colne Valley Residents Action Group who raised a series of continuing concerns about the site including those of access and security.  Both parties have now been confirmed as attending on the 18^th.

 Fire rocked the Colne Valley based plant on the 24^th May in 2010 and required the involvement of 150 fire-fighters before it was brought under control and  resulted in the and releasing plumes of toxic smoke and poisonous substances to running into the River Colne. 

Following the deputation at the Council meeting from the residents group I asked that the two agencies be brought before council to set out their findings and report on what was going to be done to protect local people and the environment from a similar event in the future. 

The event of May 2010 showed clearly that there are issues at the plant which need to be addressed.  It will be an opportunity for Council members to hear what the agencies have to say and for us to raise with them any further concerns we still have.