§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many mineral plan reviews have been completed by local authorities in each year since 1981.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 11 May 1990]: Section 3 of the Minerals Act 1981, which came into effect in May 1986, imposes a duty on mineral planning authorities to undertake reviews of mineral working sites in their areas and make such orders as they consider appropriate. There is no statutory requirement as to the timing, frequency and manner of conducting reviews, and no requirement to notify the Secretary of State when they commence or finish. However, I understand that some 35 mineral planning authorities had formally commenced their reviews by December 1989.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance has been given to local authorities by his Department relating to the resources required to carry out mineral plan reviews.
§ Mr. Moynihan[holding answer 11 May 1990]: Guidance on the financial implications of the duty to review mineral workings was given in DOE circular 11/86. This said that the duty to review should not have significant manpower or expenditure implications for mineral planning authorities. Compensation arising from an authority's decision to make orders might give rise to additional expenditure, though provision is made for compensation to be abated in certain circumstances. Authorities are expected to accommodate any additional expenditure or manpower within the resources available. Further advice on reviews generally was given in minerals planning guidance note No. 4, published in September 1988.