Gathering Community Feedback: Transitioning the Water Summits to an Independent, Community-Led Model

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Response to Southend Against Sewage’s Feedback on Transitioning the Water Summits to an Independent, Community-Led Model

Thank you, Southend Against Sewage, for sharing your thoughts on our proposal to transition the Water Summits to a community-led, independent model under the governance of Waterwatch UK. Your concerns about ensuring impartiality and independence are essential, and we’d like to address each of your points to clarify our vision and approach.

Firstly, our goal in establishing this community led model is to empower local voices, ensuring that community concerns and perspectives remain at the forefront. We envision a structure where accountability is transparent, and no single entity has undue influence. Waterwatch UK has always championed a fair and balanced approach, and we are committed to maintaining this standard through robust community representation and oversight.

Transparency doesn’t stop with water quality; it extends to how we operate. Waterwatch UK will be funded through contributions from key stakeholders, including local businesses, environmental groups, government bodies, and match funding from Anglian Water. This diverse funding model is critical because it allows us to remain independent while ensuring that all parties contributing to the problem are also part of the solution.

In terms of match funding from Anglian Water, while this would follow a 1:1 structure, it is intended to diversify our funding sources, ensure financial viability, and keep participation fees manageable. Importantly, our governance structure includes safeguards to uphold independence, with strict oversight from a governing board representing varied, independent stakeholders. Transparency will be central to how funds are allocated, with clear boundaries to prevent conflicts of interest.

Waterwatch UK is committed to holding not only water companies to account, but also local authorities, Ofwat, the Environment Agency, ECAS, MPs, the government, the agricultural sector, and anyone else involved in water pollution. These groups understand the need for accountability not just from regulators but from independent entities that represent the communities they impact. By supporting Waterwatch UK, they’re committing to more than just meeting legal obligations; they’re demonstrating a willingness to address the root causes of pollution and work towards long term improvements.

To further support transparency, groups like Southend Against Sewage are welcome to nominate themselves or a representative to stand on the elected governing committee, allowing them to oversee spending directly and witness our commitment to accountability firsthand. Funding will be strictly directed towards essentials, such as securing accessible venues, providing educational resources, and establishing an open customer panel, ensuring public access goes beyond invite only attendees.

We have recently submitted the following documents to David Burton-Sampson and Bayo Alaba for their feedback, with the aim to share with the wider Summit attenndee list soon:

– Proposal for Transitioning Water Quality Summits to an Independent, Community Led Model: Waterwatch UK

– Summary of Board Member Responsibilities

– Governance Options

– Constitution of the Waterwatch UK Regional Southend Community Board

Your point about timing is also crucial. We agree that this transition must be carefully managed, with active involvement from current representatives and public bodies in shaping the model. The engagement of MPs, local government, and community stakeholders remains essential to Waterwatch UK’s mission, and their support will be vital to the Summits’ ongoing success and credibility.

Thank you once again for your feedback. These discussions are invaluable in shaping a fair and representative governance model for the Summits, ensuring they serve as a genuine platform for community engagement, accountability, and change. With Waterwatch UK as an independent body overseeing this process, we are committed to transparency, accountability, and community driven change at the heart of everything we do.