The disruption, caused by a burst main, has persisted for over 24 hours, during which residents have faced long queues at just two water collection points – both accessible only by car. “It’s deeply concerning that South West Water’s response has failed to consider residents without access to a car,” McLay said. “Adequate provisions have not been made for elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents who cannot drive to these limited collection points. It simply isn’t good enough.”

She continues: “Adding this incident to South West Water’s catalog of failures it is impossible to justify the significant increase in customer bills we’ve been subject to,” said Councillor McLay. “We’ve just seen average household bills rise by 28% to £500 a year. It is a scandal that 14% of our bills are used to service the company’s £3.1 billion debt, while £4.5 billion has been paid out in dividends to shareholders in recent years. South West Water’s shareholder greed and persistent underinvestment in infrastructure has led to service outages and record levels of pollution.”​

McLay also raised alarm over South West Water’s record on sewage discharges. “As a keen wild swimmer, I was disgusted to learn that South West Water dumped sewage into the Hoe 1,333 times last year, making it the third worst site for sewage overspills in the UK – a podium no one wants their city to be on.”

These issues aren’t unique to South West Water. The current Thames Water crisis is also a product of privatisation, due to a combination of financial mismanagement, underinvestment and environmental failures. The company has amassed nearly £20 billion in debt, largely due to a leveraged financial model that prioritised shareholder dividends over essential infrastructure maintenance. This neglect has led to significant environmental issues, including a 50% increase in raw sewage discharges into rivers in 2024, totaling nearly 300,000 hours. Despite these challenges, Thames Water has continued to distribute dividends, resulting in regulatory fines and public outcry. The company’s financial instability has prompted discussions of temporary nationalisation and necessitated a £3 billion emergency bailout to prevent collapse.

“Water is a basic human right, it should not be controlled by private companies that put profit before people,” said Councillor McLay. “The Green Party believes water should be owned by the public, ensuring everyone has access to clean, safe water at a fair price. Our communities and our environment deserve better than the pollution and neglect caused by privatisation.”

The post Green Party Councillor Shames South West Water Over Plymouth Water Outages and Sewage Scandal appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

Following a by-election, our candidate Lauren McLay has been elected in Plympton Chaddlewood!

Lauren said: “Thank you to all who voted for me and put their trust in me. I can’t wait to start working alongside Cllr Ian Poyser for all Chaddlewood residents as your Councillor!”

Thank you to the many Green volunteers who have supported our campaign and made this win possible.

The result in full

Lauren McLay (Green) 653

Ashley Ward (Con) 425

Andrew Hill (Indy) 182

Lindsay Gilmour (Lab) 147

Mike Gillbard (Lib Dem) 33

Benjamin Davy (TUSC) 15

The post Greens gain second Chaddlewood seat from Conservatives appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.

We’re excited to announce that George Wheeler, formerly independent councillor for St Budeaux, has officially become Plymouth’s second Green Councillor.

Councillor George Wheeler has today announced that he has joined the Green Party and will serve on Plymouth City Council as a Green Councillor. Councillor Wheeler joins newly elected Green Councillor Ian Poyser. 

Since leaving the Labour Party, Councillor Wheeler who serves St Budeaux ward, has represented the area as an Independent. 

In a letter being delivered to residents, Mr Wheeler said; “After a significant period of time of personal reflection, I have made the decision to move to the Green Party in Plymouth who I feel much more closely aligned with on important issues and whose core values I very much share.”

“My primary role as a Councillor remains to represent residents of St Budeaux on local issues, and I can do this best inside the Green Party.”

“St Budeaux residents come before any party politics. This stance is respected and shared by the Green Party who will support me in my endeavours to serve the people of St Budeaux. For instance, the Green Party never tells its Councillors how to vote – this means I will always be able to put St. Budeaux residents first.”

Welcoming Councillor Wheeler to the Green Party, Councillor Poyser said: “I’m delighted to welcome George to the local Party, he brings significant skills and experience and an excellent track record of getting things done.”

“George has spent several months getting to know the local Green team to ensure our principles and values were a good fit.  The Green Party expects high standards of its Councillors and I’m pleased to say that George has passed all the necessary checks and can now sit as a Green Councillor.”

Councillor Poyser also ruled out the Greens forming a formal pact with either the  Conservatives or Labour; “We’re very open to cross-party working, but this will be on a case-by-case basis, as we look at what is best for the residents we represent.”

The post George Wheeler joins as second Green Councillor appeared first on Plymouth Green Party.