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Agenda item

Sewage Summit Update

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to provide an update to all Councillors on the Sewage Summit event that took place on 8 July 2024, the meetings held with the 3 water companies and 2 workshops that took place leading up to the event,  along with outlining a series of recommendations associated with these.

 

Recommendation

That Council resolves to:

  1. Note the report and approve the following recommendations;
    1. The Chief Executive writes to Government requesting they:

                                                               i.      Make Water Companies Statutory Consultees for both Development Control and in preparing Local and Strategic Plans;

                                                             ii.      Introduce clear mandatory controls on storm water drainage for all development.

  1. Introduce a validation checklist and matrix of Grampian conditions.
  2. Incorporate policies within the new Local Plan to optimise water efficiency for new houses.
  3. Consider, subject to a business case and affordability including in the 2025-26 budget process funding for a specialist Officer to work with the Flood Risk Management Team and Planning service to liaise between Developers and the Water Companies along with related bodies.
  4. Continue to develop an effective Communication Strategy to outline to residents the statutory obligations and powers of each local government body and other relevant organisations such as the Environment Agency.

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to provide an update to all Councillors on the Sewage Summit event that took place on the 8 July 2024, the meetings held with the 3 water companies and 2 workshops that took place leading up to the event, along with outlining a series of recommendations associated with these.

 

Councillor Lisa Spivey, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Safety introduced the report and made the following points:

 

  • Thanks were given to all those involved including Council Officers, West Oxfordshire District Councillor Charlie Maynard and Councillor Angus Jenkinson for their work in this area. It was also noted that there were many voluntary organisations such as Windrush Against River Pollution (WASP) who had taken part in the work on sewage in rivers.
  • The report was a comprehensive overview of the problem following the Sewage Summit in July 2024.
  • It was highlighted that this was a national problem which damages all waterways in the United Kingdom.
  • The Council was only a small part of those organisations who could make a difference. However, the Environment Agency was one of the key government bodies to manage these issues and help oversee the operation of water companies.
  • There were many risks involved with the issue of sewage, and the lack of upgrades to the sewage infrastructure that were needed.
  • It was important that the Council used what powers it could to make a difference with new developments and urging for water companies to be made statutory consultees for planning applications.

 

Councillor Joe Harris formally seconded and reserved his right to speak. 

 

A question was asked regarding the new MPs for the North and South Cotswolds constituencies and what dialogue would take place. Councillor Spivey stated that regular meetings would take place and she was confident that they would use their influence in Parliament to ensure action on this issue.

 

There was clarification sought on the definition of a ‘matrix of Grampian conditions’. Councillor Spivey responded that these were planning conditions based on the size of developments proposed and what actions are needed. These were important to ensure the appropriate infrastructure was put in place where required.

 

There was a question on the current flood management team and how the new officer post would work. In response, Councillor Spivey highlighted that the Flood Risk Management Team would be key to assessing the risks from developments. However, there was a need for all stakeholders to come together to tackle these issues and for the Council to have a link with water companies.

 

A question was raised regarding the Grey Water Motion that was passed by Council and how work around grey water linked to the issue of flooding from sewage. Councillor Spivey noted the Council’s online resources on grey water and reaffirmed the important work to reuse natural water where possible.

 

There was a question regarding the issue of run-off of agricultural chemicals from farmland and how this will be tackled. It was noted by Councillor Spivey that the issue of sewage in rivers was the primary focus given the Council’s ability to have some influence but that the issue raised was important as part of improving water quality overall.

 

It was asked if the use of the Council’s resources was effective given that the issue could become part of a national cross-party campaign to improve water quality. Whilst taking the point onboard, Councillor Spivey noted that this was a very important issue where the Council needed to use its influence.

 

Councillor Harris seconded the report and made the following points:

 

  • Congratulations were given on the strong report from officers.
  • The Council was restrained by a statutory framework but had a leadership role to lobby government.
  • The financial concerns of Thames Water was a problem for future housing and the infrastructure needed to make them habitable.
  • There was a lack of confidence in the water companies’ ability to provide a solution to the issue.
  • Examples were provided across the District of multiple instances of hours of sewage dumping which were unacceptable.
  • The Council would support the North Cotswolds MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown and South Cotswolds MP Dr Roz Savage MBE in their efforts to tackle this issue.

 

There were many comments regarding the lack of leadership from the water companies due to their setup as private companies.

 

Whilst the powers of the Council were limited, it was seen by many Members as important to utilise any leverage available.

 

The Grampian Conditions and the power of the regulator the Office for Water Services Regulation Authority were noted as important but needing to be strengthened to ensure they could use their powers effectively.

 

It was highlighted that the fines on water companies should be ring-fenced by the UK Government to ensure they are spent to tackle on pollution.

 

Several points were made regarding the anxiety felt by homeowners and businesses when they had been flooded repeatedly, which showed the much wider scope of problems caused by flooding.

 

Councillor Spivey then summed up the debate and made the following points:

  • It was noted waterways should be protected for future.
  • The issue of data capturing was difficult as the water companies were being relied on to provide accurate data.
  • The development of the new Local Plan would have an important part to play in tackling this issue.

 

 

The Council then took a short break in proceedings.

Supporting documents:

 

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