Councillor Cross to move:

That this Council notes that:

·       There has been national attention on the environmental consequences of the dumping of sewage into rivers and watercourses across the country.

·       The discharge of sewage into water courses is a consequence of a sewerage network that is easily overwhelmed, owing to a lack of investment in the network by the privatised water utility companies.

·       In Reading and in neighbouring areas, the same underinvestment in infrastructure has resulted in the collapse of sewers – most recently on Church Street, Caversham – and that the consequent unplanned major disruption is often detrimental to the lives of residents and the vitality of local businesses.

This Council believes that proactive investment in Thames Water’s infrastructure is essential to avoid the environmental harm of sewage overflows into water courses and to mitigate the risk of infrastructure failures, and that the cost of such necessary investment should be borne by the utility providers following a public duty principle. This Council further believes that the dividends paid out by Thames Water and other water utility companies evidence that profit motive has been placed before this necessary principle.

Consequently, this Council resolves to invite Thames Water to a meeting of the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee and, at such meeting, scrutinise Thames Water’s investment plans for Reading, encouraging Thames Water to positively and proactively work with this Council to ensure best that the delivery of necessary upgrades is as effective and efficient as possible, for the benefit of both residents and businesses.

Pursuant to Notice, a motion was moved by Councillor Cross and seconded by Councillor Hornsby-Smith and CARRIED:

Resolved –

That this Council notes that:

·                     There has been national attention on the environmental consequences of the dumping of sewage into rivers and watercourses across the country.

·                     The discharge of sewage into water courses is a consequence of a sewerage network that is easily overwhelmed, owing to a lack of investment in the network by the privatised water utility companies.

·                     In Reading and in neighbouring areas, the same underinvestment in infrastructure has resulted in the collapse of sewers – most recently on Church Street, Caversham – and that the consequent unplanned major disruption is often detrimental to the lives of residents and the vitality of local businesses.

This Council believes that proactive investment in Thames Water’s infrastructure is essential to avoid the environmental harm of sewage overflows into water courses and to mitigate the risk of infrastructure failures, and that the cost of such necessary investment should be borne by the utility providers following a public duty principle. This Council further believes that the dividends paid out by Thames Water and other water utility companies evidence that profit motive has been placed before this necessary principle.

Consequently, this Council resolves to invite Thames Water to a meeting of the Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport Committee and, at such meeting, scrutinise Thames Water’s investment plans for Reading, encouraging Thames Water to positively and proactively work with this Council to ensure best that the delivery of necessary upgrades is as effective and efficient as possible, for the benefit of both residents and businesses.