PPC : Review of the PPC Charging Scheme : Meetings : 6th November 2006

PPC User Group – 06 November 2006 - Riccarton

  Discussion Actions
1 Present: R Robertson (Scottish Executive), D Forrest (UKPIA), P Loggie (NFUS), S Freeland (SESA), D Blue (Scotsh Whisky Assoc.), I Stewart (CIA), SEPA: C Bayes (Chair), J W Burns, R Burke, J Shaw, F Weir
 
2 Apologies: D Morgan (CPI), A Mitchell (CBI), D Elliott (SEA)
 
3 C Bayes: Welcome & introductions. Main focus of group over next 2 years will be charging scheme review, but general PPC issues still included.  
4 J Burns: Make-up of group, charging scheme principles, project timescale –changes to current scheme structure by April 2008, new structure by 2009, although some elements may not be available by then  
5 P Loggie: Disappointed that new scheme would take until 2009 to implement
JW Burns: 1 key reason is lack of subsistence phase data until that time.
 
6 J W Burns: Recap on project principles, progress to date on review - previous workshops (internal & stakeholder)  
7 C Bayes: Reporting burdens & compliance are parallel projects to this one. Compliance is major aspect of EA PPC charging scheme, but debatable if meet project principles – transparent? Objective? Auditable?  
8 C Bayes: Please send in any further comments on;
- Good/ bad aspects of EA scheme
- Previous workshops
- Project principles
All
9 Transparency workshop
Factors to make current scheme more transparent:
- provide ‘building blocks’ of costs
- implications on the ground (number of inspections & ‘value’ of inspections - benefits v. environmental risk)
- Air monitoring fees – justification/ explanation to operators and SEPA inspectors
- Issue of unjustified complaints – how charged
- Information on recoverable cost and non-recoverable cost of SEPA activities (chargeable v. grant-in-aid)

SEPA to send out existing base data and draft “Pig & Poultry Transparency Document” prior to next meeting
k pdf







F Weir
10 Inclusion of Part B’s in Part A Charging Scheme:
- Direct transfer into scheme?
- Charge for Part B activities on Part A sites (probably reduced charge)?
Agreed to leave detailed discussion until associations representing Part B activities can comment

R Robertson: Scot Exec will look at possibility of GBRs for some Part B activities and discuss with SEPA.
All - esp. associations with Part B members



Scot Exec


11 J Shaw: release of Benchmarking report. Available on SEPA website. PPC section most difficult to benchmark against EA due to different charge calculation method.

Should SEPA move towards consistency with EA scheme? Is this desirable? Required? Possible? (given different cost recovery and enforcement regimes). D Forest & I Stewart personal response that not want complexity of EA scheme.

R Robertson: Scot Exec will respond formally to SEPA on benchmarking report. Recognised that few conclusions/ recommendations presented in report – likely next steps will be to draw up action plans.





All






Scot Exec
12 J W Burns: PPC Progress report (paper to be circulated) –
- likely 80-90 intensive agriculture
- unknown number of waste sites (sector 5.3); 30-80?
- current backlog of ~140 Part A applications
- will require SEPA to determine ~50% of total Part A applications in next year
- SEPA currently revising determination working methods, e.g. creation of dedicated permitting unit for agriculture sector

Update on Intensive Agriculture sector – Paper circulated to group

JW Burns
13 C Bayes: Also want to consider the wider burden of ‘servicing’ a PPC permit. Garth Broomfield currently drawing up paper on reducing reporting burden – will include in next meeting?

P Loggie commented on ADAS report on costs to agric sector of ~£20 million. C Bayes noted concern that some of the costs listed were not associated with PPC.

S Freeland commented that reporting burden etc may be reduced by improved liaison between Local Authorities and SEPA at planning application stage

 
14

Date of next meeting: 15th January (SEPA Riccarton office)

Provisional dates for further meetings: 29th March (TBC, venue probably Riccarton)
F Weir