https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/motion-sewage-north-norfolk-district-council-8482998

Read more about the motion Cllr Lloyd and I will be presenting to Full Council on 17th November.

My view is that we need to be making sure Anglian Water have got a clear plan of how they are going to improve the infrastructure. We need to have clarity on the level of sewage outflows across our district and their frequency. In an area that is dependent on tourism and has got some special environments like the chalk river beds it is not acceptable to have raw sewage pumping out onto our water courses.”

It is unfortunate that today we find ourselves in a position where we have an Environment Bill – only just passed- which could have had such great potential but following the rejection of a collaborative process by sections of Parliament is lacking in rigour, enforcement and along with that the opportunity to make the vital changes necessary in a climate emergency, biodiversity emergency and for the health and wellbeing of our North Norfolk, our islands and the wider environment.

The Duke of Wellington’s amendment to the Environment Bill, which was ironically supported by the Water companies and their registered body Water UK would have made it very clear that there was both aduty to reduce sewarge discharge into our blue environment but also for their to be target levels to be achieved and specific timescales to be set. Voted down as a result of the tory whip and MPs lacking in what many feel was strength of character we have even with the subsequent u-turn vote a bill reflecting a huge missed opportunity.

Rather than a direct responsibility being placed on Water Companies we have an indirect duty not backed up by legislation to only mitigate the adverse impact of discharges. We have an enforcement system which as a result of two thirds cuts to the budget of the Environment Agency staff and budgets over the last ten years and an Office of environmental protection that is not independent of Government Guidance has little capacity to inspect let alone enforce.

With CSO data not provided all year round and no requirement for water companies to provide live accurate data, it is vital that we have an understanding of what the situation is across our district. We need transparent all year round, real time data. Although Anglian Water are moving towards this we have a responsibility, if legislation is not going to do this for us to hold our local Water Company to account and be confident that the right priorities have been identified which tackle the most urgent issues across our district.

Anglian Water agree that CSOs are no longer fit for purpose, particularly as a result of climate changes, extreme weather is more commonplace. For this reason they supported the Duke of Wellington’s initial amendments to the Bill. They wished for the new investment which would have been authorised and forthcoming if the Bill in its initial format had come forward. It is clear from the Governments rapid climb down that figures of 600 billion pounds were both wreck less and an attempt to scaremonger. It is sad that this figure was not questioned, especially by those who voted down the amendment on the Environmental Audit Committee who clearly had access to appropriate figures. With the Thames Tidal Scheme expected to come in at around a £20 increase to water bills it is clear the necessary investment can take place within a reasonable cost.

Anglian Water welcome this motion and the opportunity for Peter Simpson, the Chief Executive to come and provide that transparency and be accountable for the changes necessary.  They understand as the local authority we need  to be confident about sewage outflow data and issues and to protect our vital blue environment. They want to discuss how we all water company, farmers, highways and we as individuals can contribute to and have a role to play in improving the health of our rivers. With such a collaborative approach we will be able to increase the pressure on a process to ensure priorities are agreed, targets are set and within appropriate timescales. 

With an enforcement process that has few teeth and an environmental Bill that is lacking in setting a clear duty to remove CSOs it is therefore essential that this District Council takes a lead in representing our north Norfolk and protecting the health of our environments and residents and visitors

I therefore am proud to second this motion and I hope that all Cllrs will show the strength of character that our residents expect in protecting our special district.