Southern Water has come under fire for missing another meeting at County Hall, condemned as ‘disgraceful’ and ‘unacceptable’ by an Isle of Wight councillor.
Alliance representative Paul Fuller said he was very disappointed the private utility company was again not present at the environment and community protection committee last Thursday (26th March).
In response, a Southern Water spokesperson has said the company has apologised for not attending and always does its ‘utmost’ to be at regular meetings.
Cllr Fuller, the member for Cowes West and Gurnard, told the Isle of Wight Council chamber of quite significant increases in Southern Water bills and added he was seething and embarrassed that no one from the company attended.
From April 2026, the average household bill for combined water and wastewater will increase by 8%.
Southern Water previously said the increase helps with a range of projects which will deliver improvements such as minimising flooding, fixing more leaks and protecting the environment.
Criticism of the corporation came during a scrutiny discussion on the flooding of the Eastern Yar.
Cllr Fuller said:
“This is the second meeting now…where we haven’t had a representative (from Southern Water). I just feel that it’s disgraceful.
“They only have to come to several meetings a year and they don’t bother coming along. I have a question for Southern Water – can’t ask it because they’re not here.
“I find that kind of thing unacceptable.”
Alliance chair of the panel, Councillor Karen Lucioni, said it was ‘not respectful’ and added she was of the same opinion.
Councillor Ed Blake, Conservative group leader, said at a previous meeting Southern Water put a very short time limit on their stay and added that questions to the company had to be curtailed.
He told the committee:
“I think we only had them for one hour and we should have had them for about 12 this year”.
A spokesperson for Southern Water said:
“We apologise for not attending the meeting and have apologised directly to the service director at the Council.
“We enjoy a good working relationship with the council and always do our utmost to attend regular meetings.
“We have already confirmed attendance to the next committee meeting and look forward to discussing our local projects and plans, including Southern Water’s £99 million investment between 2025 and 2030 on the Island, to improve bathing water quality, prevent flooding and develop new water sources, reducing reliance on the mainland.”
Why has my water bill increased by 25%? We have no connection to main drains and no water meter. Where does the 8% increase quoted in the article come from?
Couldn’t afford the ferry fare if truth be told
Great minds think alike, my thoughts exactly.
Ferry fares are shocking.
Paper tigers. Who’ve ignored the chaos on our roads, caused by utility companies over the last 3 years.
Is there an election soon!
The election won’t solve anything.
The solution to the no-shows is simple.
Instead of letting Island roads rubber stamp road work applications make it mandatory for ALL such requests to be presented in person to the council by a Southern Water executive.
The law requires that the council does not unduly obstruct essential works but it also requires the council to ensure that any requests are justified and do not cause unnecessary delays or disruption.
If SW ignore this they will be guilty of criminal damage and obstructing the public highway – offences that carry large fines and potential prison terms.
I would like Southern Water (plus Island Roads & the Council). to justify the length of time their recent roadworks took. Longer working hours and increased manpower would have cost them more money however as two of the busiest roads on the Island that should have been mandatory. The additional cost to Island businesses & residents was significant
They have an absolute cheek of putting our bills up again due to the total incompetence of Southern water, years of underfunding finally everything is breaking, & they have the audacity of saying look what we are achieving now !! Too late after years of pumping raw sewage into our waterways & chalk streams.