South Tyneside Council welcomes Government moves for more local say on water investment
“For a coastal and estuary borough like South Tyneside, protecting communities and businesses from flooding and improving water quality are hugely important.”
South Tyneside Council and Northumbrian Water have both welcomed the government's move to give local communities and leaders more say on how billions of pounds is invested in water.
Eight Regional Water Councils have been announced by the government, including one covering Northumbria. The aim is to "put communities at the heart of decisions on tackling sewage, flooding, drought and securing future water supplies".
Mayors will also have new powers to hold water companies to account
Prime Minister Andy Burnham says the move would mean decisions about the water system currently made nationally will instead be made locally.
The Labour PM said: “That is what moving power closer to communities looks like. Making sure local voices are heard and local priorities come first.”
Reform UK-led South Tyneside Council approves of the creation of the eight councils.
Cllr Karen Pittuck, lead member for Highways, Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: “We welcome proposals to give local communities and leaders a stronger voice in decisions about water and flood investment .
“For a coastal and estuary borough like South Tyneside, protecting communities and businesses from flooding and improving water quality are hugely important.
“We will be working with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and other partners to understand the proposals, help shape how they develop and ensure South Tyneside’s needs and priorities are represented.”
Water quality has been a hugely controversial topic in recent years, with some water companies receiving sharp criticism.
Water company's approval for the scheme
But a spokesperson for Northumbrian Water said: “We welcome the Government’s proposals to give local leaders and communities a stronger voice in the future of water.
“We already work closely with customers, local authorities, regulators and regional partners to shape our plans and investment and have seen first-hand the benefits of taking a joined-up approach.
“We look forward to working with partners as the new regional arrangements develop.”
However, critics claim that the creation of the eight Regional Water Councils could shift responsibility for water issues from the water companies to local authorities and people.
The Shields Gazette has also approached South Tyneside Council's opposition Green Party for a comment, as well as North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.