Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Kennett.

To receive any declarations of pecuniary interest.

There were no declarations of interests relating to matters on the agenda.

To consider any amendments to the budget recommendations which affect those calculations or the level of Council tax (Council Standing Order 18.3)

There were no amendments to the budget recommendations which affected those calculations or levels of council tax had been received in accordance to Council Standing Order 18.3.

Members noted that the arrangement of an additional vehicle for collecting garden waste would be subsidized from reserves.

Representatives of Southern Water Authority have been invited to attend this session to give an update on progress made to reduce the amount of effluent discharged into Langstone Harbour.

Representatives from Southern Water attended the meeting to provide responses to the pre-submitted questions raised by Members and gave an update on the release of wastewater into Langstone Harbour.

The representatives also updated the Committee on the proposal to pump treated wastewater into Havant Thicket Reservoir, and on public consultations relating to the proposal.

In response to questions raised by Members of the Committee, the representatives of Southern Water advised that:

1.                  The type of catchment used would determine the occurrence of storm overflows;

2.                  The Environment Act and its stipulation around the number of overflows regulated the permit conditions for Southern Water;

3.                  The actual increase in the size of retention tanks was 40-50%. As a result, the estimated amount of events occurred would reduce to 20-30%;

4.                  The appropriate piling techniques would be employed to guarantee that the shaft would be constructed safely and securely, without hitting ground water;

5.                  The automatic right to connect was under review;

6.                  The Environmental Act had proposed changes to the amount of overflows allowed;

7.                  The contact details for submission of further questions;

8.                  Variable tariffs on water consumption and water discharge were considered as a potential policy to be deployed in the future;

9.                  Universities were not paid to review Southern Water’s policies;

10.               Roadside sustainable solutions were being looked at as it was reported that there is a 1% area increase of creeping concrete and tarmac per year; and

11.               Southern Water actively collaborated with schools to educate pupils on flooding challenges and the work they do.  

RESOLVED that consideration of this item be deferred to the next meeting of this Committee to enable Southern Water to respond to further questions from Members of the Committee.