Havant Borough Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Blades, Milne, Moutray, Sceal, Patrick, and Turner.

There were no declarations of interests relating to matters on the agenda.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 19 June and 5 July 2023 be approved as a true record and be signed by the Chairman.

Further to minute 8/7/2023, the Committee considered the responses given by Portsmouth Water Company (“PWC”) at its meeting held on 5 July and written responses to questions raised by members of the Committee following this meeting.

The Committee was reminded that the purpose of the review was to consider PWC’s proposals for the Havant Thicket Reservoir and not to discuss Southern Water Authority’s proposals to use the reservoir to store and supply treated water from a recycling plant.

During the debate the Executive Head of Place advised the Committee of:

1.                  the planning processes involved if PWC wished to amend the approved pipeline scheme to and from Havant Thicket Reservoir; and

2.                  the Council’s role in the Development Consent process for SWA’s proposals for a recycling treatment plant.

During the debate the Committee considered the option of recycling water using a desalination plant but were advised that this was rejected for many reasons including its high carbon footprint.

Although the Committee agreed in principle for the need of the reservoir, it was not satisfied, on the basis of the information provided during the review, that PWC’s support for SWA’s proposal to store treated water from the recycling plant in the reservoir overcame the concerns raised by residents relating to the financial and environmental impact of the proposals and the financial implications of the scheme. It therefore

RESOLVED that:

a.         based on the information provided, Cabinet be advised of this Committee’s serious concerns about Portsmouth Water Company’s support for Southern Water Authority’s recycling scheme;

b.         further consideration of this matter be deferred to enable the officers to invite Portsmouth Water Company and Southern Water Authority to attend a future meeting of this Committee, in person, to discuss their future plans for the reservoir; and

c.         PWC be requested to arrange a site visit of the reservoir site for members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to view the proposal and in particular the woodlands and mitigation measures.