Agenda item

Consideration was given to Motion No. 153, moved by Councillor Branson and seconded by Councillor Hellaoui of which notice had been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rules No. 53-60 as follows:

 

Toxic chemicals in the River Tees

 

In recent weeks, there has been a growing concern over the effects of toxic chemicals in the Tees Estuary, which have had to a significant impact on crab and lobster numbers.

 

There has been some dispute between DEFRA and independent experts in respect of this.

 

In view of the uncertainty over the cause and the potential impact on the marine environment, we ask the council to agree to:

 

1. Write a letter to the TVCA within 28 days to request that they seek to clarify the existing and conflicting scientific research through the commissioning of a new independent report.

 

2. Write to the other Councils of the TVCA within 28 days to urge them to work together on addressing these environmental issues through, for example, sending a joint letter to the TVCA expressing our concerns and asking for next steps.

 

3. To recommend that the Economic Development, Environment and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel gives consideration to adding this environmental issue to the scrutiny topics in the work programme.

 

The Chair invited Councillor Branson to speak to the Motion.

 

Councillor Branson stated that the issue had already been highlighted in the press. There had been mass morbidity of crabs and lobsters in the Tees Estuary and it was having a major impact on fishing catch. There had been protests by local fishermen and there had been concerns from dog walkers regarding the effect on the health of dogs when walking on beaches.

 

There had been 2 separate investigations carried out. The investigation carried out by DEFRA was not able to identify the cause, but they referred to the presence of algae bloom in the sea. They thought this could be the cause of the issue as it lead to oxygen depletion. DEFRA were unable to discover any toxicity in the water. DEFRA relied on satellite pictures to identify the location of the algae bloom; they did not carry out any physical tests.

 

The findings of DEFRA were challenged by the fishermen and the Whitby Commercial Fishing Association, and they commissioned a marine biologist, Tim Deere-Jones to carry out an independent investigation. Mr Deere-Jones discounted the investigation by DEFRA regarding the presence of algae bloom because for it to be present, the water would need to be over 68% fahrenheit and the temperature in the sea did not reach those levels.

 

 

Mr Deere-Jones identified the presence of a chemical called pyridine in the water around the Tees Estuary. He carried out an investigation into the levels of pyridine in the crabs and discovered that it was seven times higher than the level found in crabs in the south of England. The conclusion of Mr Deere-Jones was that the issue was caused by dredging.

 

Councillor Branson stated that the true cause of the problem needed to be ascertained. The aim of the motion was to request the TVCA to commission a new report to look at the issue again. The motion also requested that all the other Tees Valley authorities write to the TVCA, regarding their concerns about the issue.

 

Councillor Cooper advised that DEFRA, the Environment Agency, and Natural England were still looking into the issue. He queried regarding who would fund the commissioning of the new report and why a new report was needed.

 

Councillor Cooper proposed an amendment to the motion. The amendment was that point 1 and 2 of the motion be deleted so that only point 3.  “To recommend that the Economic Development, Environment and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel gives consideration to adding this environmental issue to the scrutiny topics in the work programme” remained.

 

Councillor Polano seconded the amendment to the motion.

 

Councillor Cooke queried why the Council would not want to write to the TVCA as this was the organisation that sat above the other 4 authorities. All the other authorities intended to submit similar motions to their respective Council meetings. Councillor Cooke pointed out that there were clearly inconsistencies regarding the two reports.

 

Councillor M Storey stated that he did not see any reason to remove point 1 and 2 of the motion.

 

Councillor Branson stated that the reason the motion asked TVCA to look at the issue was because the economic health and safety implications were very important. If the issue was not tackled, it could cause substantial harm to the crab and lobster population. The concern was that the issue had not been investigated properly.

 

The Chair invited the Monitoring Officer to put the proposed amendment to the vote.

 

Following the vote, the amendment was not carried.

 

Councillor Hellaoui stated that it was imperative that the authorities received independent research. In September 2021, PD Ports had facilitated the dredging of the Tees Estuary. In October 2021, there was a significant increase in the deaths of sea life in the area. The January/February investigation had referred to temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees, but the actual temperature was likely to be nearer 13 degrees which was not conducive to the presence of algae bloom.

 

The investigation carried out by Tim Deere-Jones had been crowd funded and he had found no evidence of algae bloom in the sampling that he had carried out. The sample of the mud that had been dredged had revealed contamination. If there was contamination in the area, it would affect future development and public health. Councillor Hellaoui stated that it was therefore important to have a full investigation and receive a detailed report on the outcome.

 

The Chair invited the Monitoring Officer to conduct a vote on the original motion.

 

Following a vote, the motion was carried.