I have reiterated my calls on the water company to be more transparent about the state of our infrastructure and water supply, during a recent public meeting with John Halsall, CEO of South East Water. Over 80 people braved the stormy weather on Friday 23rd October, to attend the meeting at Heathfield Community Centre.
This also follows a recent hastily arranged call, where a Government minister urged me and my colleagues across the South and South East to help communicate the message to conserve water, following the recent announcement that our area had been classified in ‘severe drought’.
It is the job of MPs is to scrutinise the work of the Government and those providing public services, not to do their PR for them. Most of us accept the need to use water and natural resources wisely, but it is also entirely reasonable to ask what the water companies are doing to ensure that services continue, especially as my constituents have already suffered supply issues for years, consecutive non-essential use bans, and earlier this year were subject to imposed curfews by the water company.
We all appreciate that it is a tough job, but the local community remains unconvinced that enough is being done to keep on top of leaks and that the quality of the work being undertaken is to the highest standard. Residents and businesses across my constituency continue to be left without reliable supplies on a regular basis and this is only going to be made worse by the increase in housing stock, changing rainfall and weather patterns.
At my public meeting in Heathfield, South East Water CEO was asked a series of questions relating to the network and apologised for the issues relating to supply. John Halsall said: “historically as a business we have not been very good. We understand that every problem is a failure.” When challenged on the company’s role in the planning system, he acknowledged that they are not a statutory consultee, but were actively working with the 29 planning authorities across their region to ensure there is enough headroom to deliver the Government’s housing growth targets.
I was pleased to see questions being raised by members of public from across the constituency on drought preparedness, leaks and reservoirs, including speakers from Hellingly, Wadhurst and Warbleton parishes. Key local figures to speak out include the Chair of Heathfield Chamber of Commerce and Mayor of Crowborough. Nusrat Ghani has committed to keep pressure on the issue. For more information, to report ongoing issues or to be kept up-to-date on the matter, head to my website nusghani.org.uk/SEW.
