Bournemouth MP backs review of water pay
By Emily Moore·A review of water company executive pay could affect Wessex Water after Ofwat raised concerns.
Ofwat confirmed on Thursday that nine water companies, including Wessex Water, cannot pay bonuses to bosses for the latest bonus period, and warned that retention payments and large unexplained rises in base pay could weaken the ban.
Wessex Water handles sewage across Bournemouth and Poole, and the ban has applied to the company for two years running after the Water (Special Measures) Act brought the rule into force.
The Bournemouth West MP Jessica Toale has raised water quality in Parliament, including sewage spills at Bournemouth Pier and high E. coli readings in Christchurch Harbour, which is not covered by regular Environment Agency bathing water monitoring.
She said water bosses should not receive pay rises to get around the bonus ban while sewage continues to enter rivers and seas, adding that she was glad the Government was "closing this loophole".
Ofwat's call for evidence on water bosses' pay is open until 10 December, and Toale is encouraging residents to respond before new regional water councils are set up under the strengthened Water Bill.
