Sefton Council will debate a motion from Cllr Ian Maher regarding the Councils opposition to Fracking.



Motion Submitted by Councillor Maher
To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Maher:

“Sefton believes that the effects of climate change are clearly apparent on the environment we all share.

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing for shale gas) as an energy source negatively adds to global climate change and locally could:

· Potentially pollute or affect water resources in the area due to the chemical process of extraction or any improperly managed storage of ‘flowback’ water;

· Impact on water resources due to the impact of the high volume water consumption used in the process; and

· Increase the risk of any seismic activity from hydraulic fracturing which may impact on areas of population.

This Council recognises the complexity of recent decisions by Lancashire County Council to refuse planning applications (to drill, fracture and flow test up to four wells at both Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road). These decisions highlight the continuing reservations and commonly held concerns regarding the impact of such operations, particularly in these locations relating to amenity, noise, transport and landscape grounds.

This Council agrees to confirm its opposition to unconventional gas extraction (including underground coal gasification, coal bed methane and fracking under Sefton and neighbouring local authority areas) until such time as the Council is satisfied as to the safety and regulation of the processes and the robustness of mechanisms to mitigate short and long term impacts.

The Council would expect that any adverse risks relating to community, environmental, transport and health impacts would be fully addressed should any proposals be submitted for planning consent and that any tangible economic and community benefits will be evidenced fully to the Council’s satisfaction.

This Council also calls on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the other Liverpool City Region local authorities to pass a similar motion.”