Discussion of the way forward for future scrutiny of Southern Water.
Minutes:
The Chairman provided a brief overview on the current position with Southern Water. He explained that whilst the original proposal had been to set up a Task and Finish Group (TFG) in order to investigate the operations and conversations that have taken place between Southern Water and Chichester District Council; this was not something that could happen at this present time due to the progress of the Local Plan and that it would not be possible for a TFG to be supported at officer level.
Mrs Louise Rudziak, Director of Housing and Communities; informed the Committee that following Cllr Bowden’s motion at Full Council, a letter was being sent to Southern Water, copying in both OFWAT and the local MP’s. She confirmed that planning services were unable to support a TFG at this time, but acknowledged that members were keen to invite Southern Water to a future Committee meeting. She explained that she had met with Mr Frost, Director of Planning and the Environment, and proposed that members of the Committee forward questions which they would like to raise with Southern Water to Democratic Services (democraticservices@chichester.gov.uk) these questions will then be collated into a succinct list of questions. [In response to a question the Chairman confirmed that all council members would be invited to submit questions.] These questions would be forwarded to Southern Water, along with a covering letter from the Chairman inviting them to respond to the questions at a future Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
*Mr Whitty, Divisional Manager, Development Management, joined the meeting to help answer any questions members may have.
Councillors made the following comments in response to Mrs Rudziak’s proposal;
· In response to a question regarding whether Parish Councils could send questions to member services, the Chairman advised that members could include parish issues within their questions, rather than individual parishes contacting Democratic Services. The Chairman assured the Committee that he would circulate any correspondence before it is forwarded to Southern Water to ensure it is both accurate and appropriate.
· Concern was raised that there could be too many locally ‘specific issues’ which were not the responsibility of the Committee. The Committee’s focus should be in respect of planning and the development of the Local Plan and ascertaining answers to the following type of question;
o What capacity does Southern Water have?
o What are their plans with the low level treatment works?
· OFWAT and the Environment Agency should be invited to the same meeting that Southern Water is invited to, as all bodies are intrinsically linked.
· It was suggested that Parishes should be given the opportunity to speak for a maximum of three minutes at any meeting Southern Water are invited to as this would demonstrate strong partnership working. The Chairman explained that he would not invite Parishes to the special meeting, as it was important that a strategic approach was maintained. Mr Whitty, added that if helpful he could liaise with a contact at Southern Water who was happy to visit Parishes.
· Concern was raised over illegal shell fish picking and the loss of industry for local fisherman due to discharges going into the harbour. In response to concerns over raw sewage being discharged into the harbour Mr Whitty, Divisional Manager for Development Management; explained that the Environment Agency (EA) did permit some discharges and advised that any questions regarding the quality of water in the Harbour should be directed at the EA.
Having listened to discussion Mr Whitty surmised that there were two distinct lines of questioning;
· Understanding the existing problems in the network, (which are often identified by parishes), and;
· Understanding issues surrounding capacity and future development.
The Committee agreed that Southern Water, the Environment Agency and OFWAT should be invited to attend a special meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Committee acknowledged that a letter to Southern Water was currently being drafted by the Chief Executive and Leader; they agreed that it would be sensible to see what response was received. In the meantime, the Chairman advised that members should start to forward questions to Democratic Services.