Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and Brandon Lewis

Monday 10th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

T4. Last month, the Secretary of State upheld the planning inspector’s decision to close the Arpley landfill in Warrington. This is of great benefit to the town and on behalf of the residents I thank him for that. Will he confirm that landfill remains at the bottom of the waste hierarchy and that in time it will be replaced everywhere by incineration and recycling?

[The Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis)]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that landfill is at the bottom of the waste hierarchy, below incineration, energy recovery and recycling. Updated planning policy on waste from October this year continues the focus of moving waste up the hierarchy by moving away from traditional landfill towards more sustainable options.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and Brandon Lewis

Monday 20th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving me a chance to clarify the issue. It is one of the conversations that we had on 6 January and which will be continuing, I hope, next week. I do not entirely agree with his interpretation of Dr Williams’s report, which makes it clear that, with proper fitness work going on—one of the things that we expect the service to do as part of the principles that we are consulting on—firefighters can retain fitness until 60. That is very achievable, and we want to make sure that the protections are in place. Beyond the Scottish agreement, we have suggested an independent review to ensure that the service is putting these protections in place.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

11. What guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the duty of co-operation arising from the Localism Act 2011 in respect of waste disposal.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Mowat and Brandon Lewis

Monday 17th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Brandon Lewis]

I think it important for councils to realise that they are part of the economy of their area, to do what they can to inspire economic growth in order to get more people into work, and to make decisions for their local communities that are right for those communities.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

17. What assessment he has made of the potential benefits of the new homes bonus to Warrington.