Audio recordings of a public meeting regarding the stabilisation of Combe Down Stone Mines
Reference Number
BC/7/10/1/1
Alternative Reference Number
TR0048
Level of Description
Series
Title
Audio recordings of a public meeting regarding the stabilisation of Combe Down Stone Mines
Date
17 November 1994
Extent
Extent: 2 audio cassettes
Description
Irregular mining practices and robbing stone from supporting pillars had left the Combe Down stone mines unstable, with some in danger of collapse. Surveys of the mines took place from 1992-1994 by Halcrow (Contractors for the project) and a series of reports on how the mines might be stabilised were produced, with the final report published in September 1994.
A public meeting was held by the Bath City Council Environment Committee to decide what strategy should be adopted to stabilise the mines, with the final decision being ratified by the full council at their meeting on the 20th December 1994.
This public meeting which took place on the 17th November 1994 was recorded across two audio cassettes, forming four audio recordings. The meeting was also filmed for the purposes of televising by the BBC and HTV. The public meeting contained no petitions but did include six questions with supplementaries, three statements, and a deputation from Councillors and members of the public, particularly residents of Combe Down. The meeting also included a debate amongst the Councillors about the recommendations on pages 47-49 of the Halcrow report and their suggested amendments. The main concerns raised were the timescale of the project, funding the works, and the potential use of pulverised fuel ash (PFA).
The members of the Committee, Councilors, and Consultants who were present at the meeting are listed below:
Jeremy Bennett, Councillor for Weston Ward and Chairman of the Environment Committee. Rob Mimmack, Director of Property and Engineering Services for Bath City Council and the Council Officer with overall responsibility for the project. Malcolm Phillips – Environment Committee Clerk Andrew Reid - Assistant City Solicitor Patrick Hawker and Graham Garrard from Halcrow (Consultants for the project)
Councillors of note were: Councillor Dr Bennett, Councillor Bryant, Councillor Clark, Councillor Coombes, Councillor Crossley, Councillor Ruth Griffiths, Councillor Hawkins, Councillor Hogg, Councillor Kelleher, Councillor Kenyon, Councillor Mrs Lodge, Councillor Jeff Manning (Ward Councillor for Combe Down), Councillor Mrs Newnham, Councillor Roger Simmonds (Ward Councillor for Combe Down), Councillor Mrs Wishart (Ward Councillor for Combe Down).
Existence and Location of Copies
Digitised MP3 versions are available on Preservica via internal access at Bath Record Office.
