To receive responses to the pre-submitted Member questions and discuss Yorkshire Water’s investment plan.
Minutes:
Considered – A presentation and verbal update from Tim Myatt, Head of Corporate Affairs at Yorkshire Water (YW).
Tim Myatt, introduced himself and informed Members that they should go through him if they have any issues so that YW can address any concerns. A presentation was shown, with the key points being summarised below:
· In 2022, there were 2118 storm overflows from YW facilities, the 2nd highest of any water company. The overflow issues are exacerbated by the local geography. Tim Myatt informed Members that monitoring has improved significantly over the last few years, and therefore overflows aren’t necessarily increasing as drastically as it seems. In the Skipton and Ripon Constituency, discharges fell from 4263 in 2021 to 3649 in 2022, partly due to dry weather and water droughts.
· A ‘live’ map will be in operation by the end of the year which will show all overflows and discharges.
· Tim Myatt explained YW’s investment programme in depth (see PowerPoint slides), showing Members where investment was most likely to come and explaining that over £530 million was to be invested to improve treated effluent discharge between 2021-25. The aim is to reduce average discharges by at least 20% by 2025 (based on the 2021 figures). Tim Myatt also explained YW’s investment programme post-2025, showing that long-term aims are in place and that YW is working to solve current issues as well as future-proof its infrastructure.
· Members highlighted that sewerage releases were not always in periods of wet weather and Tim Myatt informed Members that wet weather is the primary reason for discharge, not the only reason.
· It was highlighted that surface runoff, especially off tarmac, is a main reason for spillages, not lack of storage, and that YW’s investment programme would reflect this. It was recommended that YW inform their customers how they can reduce surface runoff.
· Members were informed that YW consults with the Environment Agency and land owners regarding river health and farming activities.
· Members highlighted that extra homes were being built in the Skipton and Ripon area, but better YW infrastructure was not being witnessed. Members asked that YW continue to comment on planning applications where developments may increase stress on YW infrastructure. Tim Myatt reported that comments on planning applications are based on the history of the area and YW’s Drainage Water Management Plan. The Environmental Agency are responsible for commenting if there is a danger of increased runoff water. YW is not a statutory consultee on planning applications, but Members and Tim Myatt felt that this should change.
· Tim Myatt told Members that after the meeting he would share information on the incidents of sewerage spillage within the area. He reported that there were roughly 600 spillages in the last 5 years. Members stressed that they are contacted by residents about sewerage in the streets and rivers.
· Members queried whether YW’s investment plan takes into account the local plans of local councils and national parks. They were concerned that whilst some areas may not be currently producing high numbers of discharges, this could change when more houses are built. Tim Myatt confirmed that YW did consult with those responsible for designing local plans and will consult again as local plans change. He confirmed that that he would take this back to his colleagues.
· Members highlighted that some of the problems had been caused by underinvestment in the past and they asked that YW has a closer relationship with their customers, providing honest answers and reacting to feedback. It was raised that residents shouldn’t have to pay for YW’s underinvestment. Tim Myatt explained that YW have an internal 10-year strategy focussing on building positive relationships with customers.
· Members asked what had been done since the water drought in 2022 and Tim Myatt informed them that YW was investigating the issue and investing in infrastructure.
Resolved –
a) That Members should contact Tim Myatt in order to report specific concerns and incidents.
b) That Tim Myatt will liaise with Councillor A Brown regarding sewerage discharges at Snaygill.
c) That Tim Myatt will provide Councillor P Barrett with information on Yorkshire Water’s planned investment for the Aire Valley Sewer.
d) That Members and Yorkshire Water will lobby so that Yorkshire Water become a statutory consultee on planning applications.
e) That Tim Myatt will circulate the data on sewerage spillages in the Skipton and Ripon area.
f) That Tim Myatt will feed back how Yorkshire Water consider local plans and manage potential increases in discharges.
g) That the presentation slides be circulated to Members.