A motion declaring no confidence in a range of Southern Water’s current work on the Isle of Wight failed to gather enough votes at County Hall earlier this week (Wednesday).
The rejected proposal, following a petition with nearly 3,300 signatures, criticised the utility’s handling of wastewater infrastructure, sewage discharges, public transparency, and communication with affected communities.
An alternative combined motion on Southern Water from independent council leader Jonathan Bacon and Reform UK councillor Les Kirkby was agreed however.
The joint proposal says a formal letter will be written to Ofwat, the Environment Agency (EA) and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, expressing the council’s ‘serious concerns’ over Southern Water’s environmental performance and requesting a review of whether expected regulatory and service standards are being met.
County Hall will also now establish a ‘clear evidence base’, bringing together data on the frequency, location and impact of sewage discharges affecting the Island from all relevant stakeholders, including affected residents, businesses, the tourism industry and public health agencies.
Other agreed points include coordinating ‘appropriate lobbying activity’ to seek and promote stronger enforcement and accountability regarding water companies as well as inviting senior Southern Water, Ofwat and EA representatives to attend a future Isle of Wight Council meeting to answer questions on environmental performance and planned improvements.
Point three says the council requires that Southern Water gives written assurance that sufficient investment is made available and the company be requested to confirm planned future infrastructure improvements are delivered in a ‘timely manner’.
A further requirement is that Southern Water be asked to confirm the necessary measures are being taken to reduce sewage discharges, environmental impacts and cleanups.
In response to the decision, the IW Greens have expressed their “deep frustrations”, after the IW Full Council meeting failed to take the opportunity and support the public petition to vote No Confidence in Southern Water.
The public petition, with over 3,000 signatures, qualified it to be discussed by the Council, but was narrowly defeated by Reform’s 17 votes Against with 15 votes For.
Cllr Claire Critchison said:
“As Greens we support the strong feelings of residents who are fed up of Southern Water’s dreadful environmental record and their failure to take vital action needed to protect our beaches and waterways. The strong feelings of No Confidence are very real and should have been recognised by all Isle of Wight Councillors in this public way. Instead, residents have been brushed away with a weak replacement motion to write some formal letters to express our disappointment.
“Councillors had a rare chance to turn the heat on Southern Water, but instead this response is tepid and lukewarm. We desperately need Southern Water to listen to residents and earn our confidence back.”
