A meeting between Southern Water and Isle of Wight councillors to be held later today (Thursday) has been called over mounting public concern for water quality across the Island.
The meeting, which will not be open to the public or press, as confirmed by the council, aims to be an ‘informal discussion’ designed to build ‘awareness and understanding’ of the company’s strategic planning and direction, a spokesperson for the local authority said yesterday.
They said it will also help inform future dialogue on matters of local interest.
County Hall has said that as the meeting is not a formal one or a decision-making forum, it is therefore not being conducted in public.
The visit to the Island by Southern Water CEO Lawrence Gosden comes after a request from the Liberal Democrats in February, delayed due to the May 7 elections.
It follows several bathing warnings issued by the Environment Agency for different parts of the Island, including in the West Wight.
There is also concern over the ‘planned recommissioning’ of a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) pipeline at Bembridge Point.
Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Lilley, who helped organise the visit, said Mr Gosden’s meeting is welcome news.
It is hoped the CEO will also agree to be at public meetings in East and West Wight in the future.
