Agenda item

Councillor P North declared a personal interest, as an employee of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in respect of Item 18 – Notice of Motion 12 and left the room during consideration of the item.

Council considered the following motion moved by Councillor Gwynne and seconded by Councillor Burnage:

This Council notes that:

Protecting the River Test;

·  Every river in England is now polluted beyond legal limits.

·  In 2019 the Environment Agency rated just 14% of rivers as ‘Good’.

·  Some 36% of English rivers have been damaged by water companies. They released untreated human waste into our waterways over 400,000 times to a total of 3 million hours in 2020 alone. In that same year just 3.6% of pollution complaints made to the Environment Agency resulted in penalties.

·  Government funding to the Environment Agency to monitor river quality and regulate farms and water companies, has dropped 75% since 2010/11.

·  Consequently farms are now rarely inspected, water quality is rarely tested, and water companies can pump raw sewage into rivers with virtual impunity.

To protect the River Test – the very basis for the existence of TVBC - this Council resolves to request the Chief Executive write to:

1)  The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for the Government to urgently address these issues.

2)  The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee to advocate for greater enforcement of existing regulatory powers.

3)  Both of the Borough’s Members of Parliament, asking for their support in this matter.

4)  The Chief Executive of Southern Water, calling for urgent action to address the impact of waste-water discharges on our local rivers – and the river Test in particular.

5)  The Regional Director of the National Farmers’ Union requesting clarification on the action being taken locally by farmers to prevent nutrient run-off.

6)  The charities River Action and The Rivers Trust expressing this Council’s support for their campaign to restore the health of Britain’s rivers.

Councillor Adams-King proposed, and Councillor Johnston seconded, an alteration to the Motion as set out below:

This Council notes that:

·  Every river in England is now polluted beyond legal limits.

·  In 2019 the Environment Agency rated just 14% of rivers as ‘Good’.

·  Some 36% of English rivers have been damaged by water companies. They released untreated human waste into our waterways over 400,000 times to a total of 3 million hours in 2020 alone. In that same year just 3.6% of pollution complaints made to the Environment Agency resulted in penalties.

·  Government funding to the Environment Agency to monitor river quality and regulate farms and water companies, has dropped 75% since 2010/11.

·  Consequently farms are now rarely inspected, water quality is rarely tested, and water companies can pump raw sewage into rivers with virtual impunity.

So to protect the Rivers Anton, Blackwater, Dun and Test– and their

tributaries this Council resolves to request the Climate Emergency and

Countryside Portfolio Holder write to:

1)  The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs calling for the Government to urgently address these issues through the Environment Act 2021.

2)  The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee to advocate for greater enforcement of existing regulatory powers.

3)  Both of the Borough’s Members of Parliament, asking for their support in this matter.

4)  The Chief Executive of Southern Water, calling for urgent action to address the impact of waste-water discharges on our local rivers – and the river Test in particular.

5)  The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Environment Agency and the Regional Director of the National

6)  Farmers’ Union requesting clarification on the action being taken locally by farmers to prevent nutrient run-off.

7)  The charities River Action and The Rivers Trust expressing this Council’s support for their campaign to restore the health of Britain’s rivers.

8)  Additionally, that officers report any instances or complaints of pollution in Test Valley’s waterways and rivers to the Portfolio Holder for Climate Emergency and Countryside and that OSCOM be asked to review such reports, including requesting the appropriate agencies account for their actions.

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

Upon being put to the vote the Motion was carried.