PPC : Review of the PPC Charging Scheme : Meetings : 29th March 2007

Update on PPC progress: J Burns detailed progress on Permit determination, 115 Applications received since Nov 06. Corporate target to determine all Permit applications within required timescale. (see presentation for details)

EUETS – Introduction to 2^nd Stage query – Invite Mike Cunningham to address next mtg. (After meeting Mike agreed to do a presentation at the next meeting)

Presentation on Compliance Project: A Terry progress on development of a compliance scheme which is generic, proportionate, open and robust. Scheme to be numerically driven to limit subjectivity.

Provide feedback and comment on compliance project

PPC Charging Scheme Workshop: J Burns provided a review of the project principals followed by recap of previously agreed workshop priorities.

The main part of the presentation then outlined alternative options which were then discussed during a workshop. A number of alternative options were discussed and an agreed short list was then gone through in detail. An important factor was that the new scheme should include some form of “compliance” which recognises the level of compliance at a site versus the permit / regulations.

The workshop then compared 4 options. Attachment 1 provides a summary of the workshop. The favoured option (option 2) was based on the sector scheme (current scheme) with improved documentation to improve transparency plus compliance.  

Both options including location specifics were considered to be slightly more complex without adding much benefit since many of the aspects would be considered under compliance (e.g. if a site is close to a vulnerable receptor (say SSSI) then there may well be tighter requirements placed in the permit making compliance harder)

All parties are requested to consider the options and come back if any concerns arise. J Burns invited any member of the meeting who wanted further discussions of the options to contact him at any point.

AOB: A Terry advised that conclusions of the OPRA determinations for the previous 12 months will be released to the press in April.

P Loggie reducing PPC entrance thresholds for would be contested by industry as the cost increase would be seen as prohibitive. A further cost related query was raised but was agreed to be taken out with the meeting.