62. Moving forward with the Government’s Plan for Cleaner and More Plentiful Supply of Water, April 22nd 2023

 

Moving forward with the Government’s Plan for Cleaner and More Plentiful Supply of Water

Following the publication of the Plan, and building on the relationship the Company has established  with Defra, Past Master Peter Matthews and Court Assistant Dinah Nichols were invited to attend an informal meeting with Minister Pow on Tuesday 18th April. This was also attended by officials from  the Defra Water Team and representatives from Catchment Partnerships in East Anglia and Somerset.

We reassured the Minister that the Company will continue to share the  experiences of its Members to add to the knowledge which will underpin delivery of the Plan. The discussion focussed largely on the management of Catchments both as engines to drive the Plan forward and as a basis for wider environmental management of natural resources, including issues such as land management. All agreed that there is a need for a master template of what constitutes a comprehensive Catchment Management Plan, which can then be varied according to local circumstances. These should build on best examples which exist already, particularly involving agriculture more and focussing on the uses of local waters within catchments.

These must find ways of greater public involvement. They must be clear and understandable and must contain metrics which allow accurate monitoring.

The Company will be producing a think-piece on this topic as quickly as possible and sustain its dialogue with Defra

The discussion also embraced related, issues such as financeability of the Plan , impact of demand reduction , metering, flooding  and how the public can participate more widely in all aspects of the Plan delivery … all aspects within the sights of the Company.

And the established mechanisms for creating our think-pieces are being mobilised.   

Peter Matthews Past Master and Dinah Nichols Court Assistant

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