Community Calls for Formalisation of Water Quality Summit Committee in March

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Waterwatch UK announces that a formal independent community-led committee will be established in March to shape the future of Southend’s Water Quality Summits. This process will ensure a structured, transparent, and inclusive approach to tackling water pollution and holding key stakeholders accountable.

Recent Water Summits have failed to deliver real accountability or commitments from those responsible for water quality. Despite a formal handover from former MP Anna Firth to David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, the format and core objectives of the summits have been neglected. Community-led discussions, which were previously in place, have not been upheld.

Over the past year, accountability has been lost due to the general election delaying the organisation of a Water Summit, as well as misunderstandings by MPs regarding the fundamental purpose of these meetings. The Water Summits were designed to ensure that those responsible for water quality are held accountable, but recent leadership has failed to uphold this crucial aspect, leading to stagnation in progress.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the behaviour of MPs towards those advocating for a genuinely independent and community-led approach. Waterwatch UK is committed to fostering an open, democratic, and transparent forum where local residents and stakeholders can engage in meaningful discussions about water quality.

To ensure a structured and community-driven approach, Waterwatch UK, originally established as a limited company, will transition into a Community Interest Company (CIC) with support from Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS). This transition will guarantee full transparency and community governance.

Waterwatch UK previously received funding from Anglian Water, which was a matched donation of £1,000 facilitated by the Essex Chamber of Commerce. However, we will not accept any further funding from Anglian Water. We believe responsible corporate funding should support, not undermine, legitimate community efforts. We want to ensure that Waterwatch UK remains independent and free from any perceived conflicts of interest.

A public community meeting will take place on 4th March 2025 at 7pm to discuss the new committee structure, gather feedback, and address any concerns. Waterwatch UK is committed to working collaboratively with MPs to shape the future of the Water Quality Summits, ensuring they remain a platform for meaningful change and accountability. For more information and to register for the meeting, please visit this event page  for more information and to register. All attendees must register in advance.

Waterwatch UK encourages all key stakeholders to actively engage with the Water Quality Summits under this new community-led model. Anglian Water has already confirmed its attendance at future summits, alongside representatives from the Environment Agency, the Port of London Authority, SAVS, and other key stakeholders. Waterwatch UK looks forward to working alongside MPs and Southend City Council to ensure the summits remain a democratic space for transparent discussion, accountability, and meaningful action on water quality issues.

Photo caption: Daniella Boon (Waterwatch UK) and Penelope Allard (Wild Bookkeeping) at an early concept Zoom meeting in October 2024 comparing their shared Estuary Tide Time poster.

QUOTES:

Daniella Boon, Founder & CEO of Waterwatch UK:
“The Water Quality Summits were created to bring together the voices of the community, experts, and decision-makers to drive real accountability. We want to ensure the future of these summits is built on transparency and inclusivity. By formalising a committee, we are taking a crucial step toward restoring the original purpose of these meetings and making real progress on water quality issues in Southend.”

Penelope Allard, Wild Bookkeeping and cold-water swimmer:
“The Water Summits have been crucial in highlighting water quality issues in Southend. The meetings have provided a deeper understanding of the problems involved and those responsible. The last two summits failed to set measurable targets or hold anyone accountable, ignoring community concerns. We have lost almost a year of progress, and I look forward to restoring a platform that drives meaningful change and holds all parties accountable.”

Kim Hall, Thorpe Bay Residents Association
“TBRA’s founding principle is to give residents a voice. We believe that the water summits should be community-led and that our water infrastructure needs input and support from a number of different players, including MPs and Councillors, who should and do play a significant role. It also means scrutiny of all parties, including ourselves. As always with these matters it’s only through working together we find solutions.”

Paul Gilson, Leigh Town Councilor & President of NFFO
“The recent Water Summit was a far cry from how these events originally began, it could even be considered a disaster. Presentations were unclear, meaningful debate was stifled, and key questions went unanswered. Despite being presented as a success, in reality, it fell short and was a failure.”

Peter Lovett, Shoebury Residents Association
“On behalf of the Shoebury Residents Association, we welcome the Water Summit becoming a community-led platform, run by the community, for the community. When we received our invite from MP Bayo Alaba, it asked us to submit questions for Anglian Water only. We provided several questions for Anglian Water, Environment Agency, Southend Council & the Government, but as chair, our MP took full control of the questions asked, all being to Anglian Water. It is so important we discuss & hold all parties to Account. It is only by allowing an open & transparent discussion that we will solve the water qualities in our Seas, Brooks & Rivers.  We need to also work with our neighbours upstream of Southend City, where water quality is at its worst.”