To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Board.

It was reported that, in accordance with the wishes of the Liberal Democrat Group, the membership of the Board had been amended to include Councillor Maddison in place of Councillor Law.

South West Water and the Environment Agency have been invited to the meeting to follow up the issues raised at the Spotlight Review on 5 October 2023 and to discuss current issues relating to drainage and flooding etc.

Supporting documents:

1.       Key lines of enquiry and responses – Environment Agency

2.       Key lines of enquiry and responses – South West Water

3.       Link to previous spotlight review - Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Board on Thursday, 5 October 2023, 5.30 pm (torbay.gov.uk)

(Note:  South West Water Representative and Clarissa Newell, Area Environment Manager, Environment Agency have been invited for this item.)

Further to the Spotlight Review held on 5 October 2023 (Minute 20/10/23 refers), the Overview and Scrutiny Board undertook a Spotlight Review to discuss concerns in respect of water and flooding.  The Board examined the written responses to the initial key lines of enquiry and supporting documents (full details of which can be found at https://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=218&MId=26347&Ver=4) and received the following:

·                 Key lines of enquiry and responses from the Environment Agency;

·                 Key lines of enquiry and responses from South West Water;

·                 Link to previous spotlight review - https://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=218&MId=25724&Ver=4;

·                 Response from Ofwat on South West Water Seasonal Tariff Pilot;

·                 Presentation from the Environment Agency; and

·                 Presentation from South West Water (SWW).

The Board heard evidence from the following:

·                 Clarissa Newell, Regulatory Manager (Water) (Environment Agency);

·                 Helen Dobby - Head of Environmental Performance for Wastewater Services (SWW);

·                 Richard Adams - Head of Networks for Drinking Water Services (SWW);

·                 Sarah Sharpe - Corporate Community Engagement Officer (SWW);

·                 Mark Worsfold - Director of Asset Management (SWW); and

·                 Brett Conibere – Head of Service Insight (Customer Services) (SWW).

Key Findings:

Environment Agency:

The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating major industry and waste; treatment of contaminated land; water quality and resources; fisheries; inland river, estuary and harbour navigations; conservation and ecology; and managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the sea.

The Environment Agency understands that the water industry was underperforming, and it needed to change.  The Environment Agency is meeting this challenge through transforming their approach to water industry regulation which will help them deliver against the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Plan for Water to ensure clean and plentiful water.  They are introducing a more specialised workforce and improving the way they handle and turn data into regulatory intelligence.  Through Water Transformation they aim to be a modern efficient regulator of the water industry.  Driving a step change in performance from the water industry and a cleaner water environment.  More information on the Environment Agency’s priorities and plans could be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-ea2025-creating-a-better-place and this year’s business plan at: Environment Agency business plan 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

A large part of the work of the Environment Agency relates to monitoring and enforcement.  Having secured an additional £55m of funding from Government and water company permits, the Environment Agency is investing in a bigger, more specialised workforce.  As a result, the number of officers regulating South West Water has increased with more compliance checks at water company sites (including unannounced inspections) being made and data specialists being used to translate storm overflow monitoring data into regulatory intelligence.  The Environment Agency is aiming to conduct 350 targeted inspections by March 2025, this was currently 54% complete and was expected to be 100% complete by the end of 2024/2025 financial year.  This was aided by regular meetings with South West Water and other operators to ensure that they were working in accordance with their agreed permits, with appropriate action being taken where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.