Government to create eight regional water councils across England

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 12:49 · Archive

The Government will create eight regional water councils to give the public and local leaders a say in how billions of pounds in water and flood infrastructure investment is spent.

The Government is establishing eight regional water councils across England to give the public and local leaders a say in how billions of pounds in water and flood infrastructure investment is spent. The move is intended to hold water providers to account.

United Utilities, which serves Cumbria and the North West, has welcomed the initiative. Louise Beardmore, the company's Chief Executive Officer, said: 'We strongly support the principle of bringing decision-making on water infrastructure closer to the communities we serve.'

Beardmore pointed to existing collaborative work in the North West as evidence that local partnership approaches work better than national one-size-fits-all solutions. She cited the Only Rainwater solution for Windermere developed with local stakeholders, and the Integrated Water Management Plan with local authorities across Greater Manchester, as examples of place-based collaboration. United Utilities is also developing similar partnerships in the Liverpool City Region.

Minsters are also set to give Combined Authority mayors, including one set to be installed in Cumbria, powers to hold water companies accountable for their performance. United Utilities believes the regional model will help strengthen local accountability and ensure investment reflects community priorities.

The company said it looks forward to deepening relationships with local leaders and communities across the North West as the regional water councils take shape, and that the new structure will support tailored solutions for specific areas and catchments.

How it is being reported

• United Utilities welcomes move to create eight regional water councilsA WATER giant of the North West has welcomed the Government's latest action to hold providers to account, it will see the creation of regional water councils, giving the public and local leaders a say on how billions in investment is spent.Cumberland News · 7 Nov, 12:00
• United Utilities welcomes move to create eight regional water councilsA WATER giant of the North West has welcomed the Government's latest action to hold providers to account, it will see the creation of regional water councils, giving the public and local leaders a say on how billions in investment is spent.NW Evening Mail · 7 Nov, 12:00
• United Utilities welcomes move to create eight regional water councilsA WATER giant of the North West has welcomed the Government's latest action to hold providers to account, it will see the creation of regional water councils, giving the public and local leaders a say on how billions in investment is spent.Whitehaven News · 7 Nov, 12:00
• United Utilities welcomes move to create eight regional water councilsA WATER giant of the North West has welcomed the Government's latest action to hold providers to account, it will see the creation of regional water councils, giving the public and local leaders a say on how billions in investment is spent.Westmorland Gazette · 7 Nov, 12:00

In this story: United Utilities · Louise Beardmore · Cumbria · North West · Windermere · Greater Manchester · Liverpool City Region · England

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