Agenda item

The Committee have invited Yorkshire Water to attend this meeting of the Economy, Place, Access, and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee. A report prepared by Yorkshire Water is attached at Annex 2.

The Committee were joined by Tim Myatt Head of Corporate Affairs and Victoria Hickey Head of River Health from Yorkshire Water.

The chair outlined that the Committee did not have any formal power for overseeing Yorkshire water, but had invited Yorkshire Water due to the large amount of public interest in water health and bills.

Tim Myatt introduced the report from Yorkshire Water to the Committee. He noted that they were heavily regulated by The Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT), The Environment Agency, and the Water Inspectorate. It was confirmed that Yorkshire Water agrees with Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) five year asset management periods. The current asset management period concludes April 2025 and current proposals from Yorkshire Water includes a £7.8 billion business plan for investment. Tim Myatt Also addressing concerns raised in public participation, confirmed that he would happily be a named contact for York University and residents of Pumping Station Cottages. Victoria Hickey spoke about the work of the River Health team at Yorkshire Water. She noted that the team worked with river trusts to deliver green opportunities and biodiversity.

The Committee enquired about their concerns with river health. Members highlighted data from Top of the Poops showing that the River Ouse saw the 7^th most amount of time for overflows in the Country. Tim Myatt noted that different practices from different water companies meant that the data was not always reliable for a comparison, he explained this by noting that Yorkshire Water had half as many overflows than United Utilities. He stated that Yorkshire Water recognised that there was an issue with the amount of overflows into rivers and highlighted the investment plans Victoria Hickey had spoken about.

Flood risk was also discussed by the Committee. Members were informed of who held responsibility for flood response, storm overflows, and surface water. Yorkshire Water it was confirmed were responsible for the sewer network, as well as, some issues relating to surface water entering the network if that was to cause storm drain overflows. The Committee enquired whether separate sewer networks for surface water and sewage would be appropriate and Tim Myatt confirmed that separate systems would be welcome but that Yorkshire Water did not have the power to recommend this at a planning stage for developments.

Members suggested that greater levels of communication could be needed between Yorkshire Water and residents. Members welcomed Yorkshire Waters commitment to communicate with the public speaker about issues raised. It was discussed whether residents could be notified of discharges, Tim Myatt noted that Yorkshire Water had a live map that residents could follow and would enquire internally if this could be broadened to a notification system.

Investment at Yorkshire Water into the network was discussed with Members noting the increased level of proposed level of future investment outlined by Tim Myatt and Victoria Hickey. The Committee enquired about past levels of investment and whether this had been adequate for the maintenance and improvement of the network. Tim Myatt suggested that in previous years the directive to companies such as Yorkshire Water was the aim to keep water bills low rather than the main priority being on investment. He also noted that the impact of climate change could be massive on the network and plans for investment would need to try and plan for the effects of heavy rainfall and storms.

With Yorkshire Water seeking an increase in bills, Members enquired as to whether residents should expect to see bonuses and dividends paid out by the company. Tim Myatt explained that bonuses were connected to performance and that as they were regulated by OFWAT. He noted that it was the regulator that identified the level of profit that could go to the companies’ shareholders. With bills expected to rise discussion was also undertaken regarding support for those unable to afford higher bills. Tim Myatt noted that they currently work with housing associations and debt support groups and would investigate working with food banks on the Committees suggestion. Members raised concern that the number of those receiving support appeared low, Tim Myatt explained that Yorkshire Water currently had 80,000 people receiving support and that the company was seeking to double this number.

Maintenance was discussed and the Committee were informed of how Yorkshire Water undertake proactive and reactive inspections and maintenance. It was confirmed that risk was used to assess where most inspections and where proactive maintenance was undertaken. 

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the information provided by Yorkshire Water and acknowledged the offer of Yorkshire Water attending another committee meeting at the committee’s invitation.

Reason:     To allow the Committee the opportunity to discuss with Yorkshire Water its performance in York.