Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, shares this press release from himself and Cllr Chris Jarman, Cabinet Member for Resources. In his own words. Ed
There has been local outrage at the Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely’s recent failure to support measures to limit raw sewage being released into the sea in the Environment Bill, which is currently under consideration in the House of Commons.
The Council Administration shares that outrage. There have been serious and growing concerns about such releases over the past months, some connected with extreme weather events we experienced during the summer and others due to increased demand from large scale developments and failing infrastructure.
Jarman: We don’t understand why MP is not adhering to his undertakings
Cllr Chris Jarman, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for Resources, said:
“We have a local economy that is reliant on tourism. Our beaches are a key part of our natural capital that attracts visitors. It also goes without saying that, as we are surrounded by water, including Marine Conservation Zones, our water quality is perhaps even more important than in other areas.
“The problem on the Island is that we have a fragile water infrastructure which needs significant investment. We need to exert pressure to see that this investment takes place. Our MP should be helping this process. He undertook to do so when, together with some councillors, he met with representatives of Southern Water in Sandown to discuss these very problems. We don’t understand why he is not adhering to those undertakings.”
Bacon: Why could MP not walk into the correct voting lobby in support of the Island?
Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:
“Mr Seely issued a response at the end of last week setting out his reasons for the way he voted, but frankly his explanations don’t hold water.
“He stated that he is prioritising other things. We do not understand why that means that on a key issue like this he could not walk into the correct voting lobby in support of the Island. He also stated he wants to protect areas of Special Scientific Interest. Seeing as there are such areas on our coastline we don’t understand this reason either. He further stated that the amendment wasn’t going to pass anyway! Again we simply don’t understand this approach. 22 other Conservative MP’s voted in favour of the amendment. Lastly his response talked about it being more important to put measures into Water Company management plans. In which case we would ask, ‘so why don’t you make that happen? You’re the Government!’
“We also note that Mr Seely voted against other amendments to protect air quality and to protect pollinators.”
Jarman: MP should be standing up for the Isle of Wight
Cllr Jarman concluded,
“We think that protecting our water quality is a key issue upon which our MP should be standing up for the Isle of Wight. We understand that the issue is coming back for a further vote in the House of Commons this week.
“We, and many across the Island, will be watching Mr Seely closely to see how he votes next time.”
Image: ‘Wastewater’ discharge in the last 24 hours as shown on Southern Water’s Beach Buoy Map
