North Yorkshire Green Party councillors have called for Yorkshire Water to be brought back into public ownership following the resignation of its chief executive amid criticism of the company’s environmental performance.
Nicola Shaw stood down after the company received the Environment Agency’s lowest possible environmental rating.
The utility company received one star out of four after recording 335 pollution incidents, including 13 serious incidents, during the year.
It also failed to complete five environmental improvement schemes on time.
Councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire Council and chairs the North Yorkshire Green Party, said replacing the chief executive would not solve the company’s problems.
He said:
“Cutting off the head won’t slay the dragon.
“The public are angry – they pay more and more, for less and less, with no end in sight.
“How long do you give an organisation a chance to put things right?
“How many CEOs will have to resign because they can’t please both shareholders and billpayers?
“I think we’ve waited long enough – water companies need to be brought back into public ownership.”
He also called for regulators to be given greater powers and resources to tackle pollution.
Green councillor Andy Brown, who represents Aire Valley, blamed the problems on the privatisation of the water industry under Margaret Thatcher.
He said:
“The problems Yorkshire Water faces haven’t been caused by one Chief Executive and won’t end with her resignation.
“They are the product of the dreadful decision to privatise a vital national resource and of decades of under investment and excessive dividends.”
He called for tougher regulation of water quality and bills, adding that companies unable to provide a satisfactory service should return to public ownership.
Yorkshire Water has announced that Nicola Medalova will become chief executive on January 1, 2027, with Ms Shaw remaining in post until then.
The company says it is investing £8.3bn between 2025 and 2030 to improve infrastructure and environmental performance.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said:
“We understand the strength of feeling about our performance and know that ultimately, we will be judged on the service we provide to customers and our impact on the environment.
“We are investing significantly to upgrade and modernise our infrastructure, alongside operational changes to deliver the improvements people rightly expect.”
The spokesperson said the incoming chief executive would focus on reducing pollution incidents, delivering investment and improving customer service.
The company added that it would continue working with the Government and regulators on the future of the water industry.
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