Transform our Water Companies in to Public Benefit Corporations
Matlock and Tansley’s problems with sewers and drains are local examples of a national problem with the regulation of water companies. LibDem MP Layla Moran has said that ”the whole water system needs to be fixed with radical action to protect the environment and bring down people’s bills”.
In a Parliamentary debate she on 7th February, she cited many pollution and flooding incidents in her constituency. Noting it is a problem her constituents share with many others across the country, she reported Liberal Democrats are calling for England’s water companies to be transformed into Public Benefit Corporations. Public benefits would then be considered explicitly in the running of the companies putting a stop to prioritizing profit over the quality of waterways.
Environmental experts and local community groups would have representation on the company boards. She also calling for a ban on water executives’ bonuses until sewage dumping stops, and for pollution monitoring to be undertaken by the Environment Agency rather than the companies themselves to ensure independence.
LibDem Parliamentary candidate for Derbyshre Dales, Robert Court said, supporting Layla Moran's comments, “We have a right to expect protection from flooding, access to clean water and proper treatment of sewage. We would hold the water companies to account, not letting them wriggle out of their responsibilities to us all.”