Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is encouraging
all constituents to have their say on how water provider, Anglian Water, spends
their money.
It is
launching a seven-week consultation to see where bill payers think its
priorities should lie at a challenging time for the region.
Next year
the company’s regulator, Ofwat, will decide how much Anglian is allowed to
raise from bills until the end of the decade. The company must make its case,
laying out the areas it believes need investment and it needs customers’ views
to help draw up its business plan.
Peter
Simpson, Anglian Water’s Managing Director, said: “What our customers tell us
really will influence our investment plans and the size of customers’ bills
over the next five years. The more people that take part, the more weight their
opinions will carry.”
He
added: “We face a huge range of challenges, not just as a water company but as
a region. We are on the frontline in the fight against climate change, with
some of the driest and lowest lying parts of the UK. Our region’s population is
growing fast while the amount of water available remains the same and may even
decline.”
Thousands
of customers have already been approached for their views and these have helped
to shape this consultation. Many were surprised by how much more there is to
water than they’d thought, so a booklet and a website have been created to give
people the information they need.
Called
‘Discover, Discuss, Decide,’ it explains the challenges and choices
Anglian Water faces right across its business.
Local
MP, Stephen Metcalfe commented: “This is an opportunity for local people to
have their say on a service that affects everyone in South Basildon and East
Thurrock.”
“Anglian
Water are extremely keen to hear from residents and I would encourage everyone
to have their say in how the water provider spends its money in the future.
Please don’t miss an opportunity to make your voice heard!”
The
consultation runs until March 10th and you can take part now by visiting www.discoverdiscussdecide.co.uk
