Freshwater Parish Council has written to Southern Water’s Chief Executive after unanimously voting no confidence in the company’s handling of wastewater infrastructure and sewage-related issues affecting Freshwater and the wider West Wight.
The email, sent on behalf of the Council by Chair, Councillor David Whistance, follows a unanimous resolution passed at the authority’s Full Council meeting on 7th July.
The letter formally notifies Southern Water Chief Executive Lawrence Gosden of the Council’s vote of no confidence, citing concerns over wastewater infrastructure, sewage discharges, storm overflows, beach warnings, tankering, asset maintenance, transparency and communication.
The Council says the resolution reflects “serious and continuing concern” from residents about the impact of Southern Water’s performance on local bathing waters, public health, protected habitats, tourism, local businesses and public confidence.
Freshwater Parish Council is calling on Southern Water to publish a clear, public and site-specific improvement plan for Freshwater and the West Wight.
It says the plan should include timescales, funding commitments, capacity upgrades, maintenance actions, storm overflow reduction plans and clear reporting arrangements so residents can see what is being fixed, when it is being fixed and how progress will be measured.
The Council is also seeking greater transparency over storm overflows, emergency sewage releases, tankering operations, pump failures, asset capacity, planned upgrades, repeated discharges and the reasons behind sewage alerts affecting local bathing waters.
The letter has also been sent to Ofwat, the Environment Agency, DEFRA, Isle of Wight Council, Natural England and the Isle of Wight’s Members of Parliament, with the Council urging the organisations to work together to identify urgent action needed to protect residents, bathing waters, protected habitats, tourism, public health and public confidence.
Cllr David Whistance, Chair of Freshwater Parish Council, has said:
“At its Full Council meeting on 7th July 2026, Freshwater Parish Council unanimously voted no confidence in Southern Water’s current handling of wastewater infrastructure, sewage discharges, storm overflows, beach warnings, tankering, asset maintenance, transparency and communication affecting Freshwater and the wider West Wight.
“The Council’s resolution reflects serious and continuing concern from residents about the impact of Southern Water’s performance on local bathing waters, public health, protected habitats, tourism, local businesses and public confidence.”
Freshwater Parish Council has requested a written response from Southern Water within 28 days, setting out what action the company intends to take in response to the concerns raised.
Well the boardroom of southern water must be quaking with this shattering announcement that an bunch of hobby parish councillors with no power had made such a startling announcemnt. If the government cannot sort out the water companies I cannot see how a group of people only experinced in cake sales will have any impact.
Sooperb comment !
A collective voice is a powerful voice, as you should well be aware of here in Bembridge. The voice of the people stopped the reopening of the outflow at the point, along with the parish councillors. Stupid and ridiculous comment.
Nothing beats people power.
Perhaps Bembridge will be bold enough to follow the declaration of No Confidence in Southern Water that many on Isle of Wight Council were afraid to declare?
Totland PC, Freshwater PC and Yarmouth TC have so far made the declaration. Which other Parish, Town or Community Council will join in stating what the residents’ petition demand?
Perhaps Bembridge will be bold enough to follow the declaration of No Confidence in Southern Water that many on Isle of Wight Council were afraid to declare?
Totland PC, Freshwater PC and Yarmouth TC have so far made the declaration. Which other Parish, Town or Community Council will join in stating what the residents’ petition demands?
And so speaks the worldly wisdom of er… Bembridge Barnie. Says it all
Well done Freshwater Parish Council
The island needs more Councils with balls.
Lesson for Sandown Town Council
GROW A PAIR and STOP Numpties evading parking charges
by letting vehicles evade paying parking charges by
parking on the pavement outside the old tourist information centre opposite Sandown Pier IN A PEDESTRIANISED ZONE!
I bet southern Water are shaking in their boots (with laughter)
Maybe the Southern Water CEO will stop using his hosepipe.
Lol