Decision details

The Service Delivery Manager presented a report, which provided Members with the achievements and outcomes of the joint operational activities from 1October 2020 to 30 September 2021. He noted that although this period covered part of the pandemic, it had still been a busy period for the Lake District due to the relaxation of restrictions.

During discussion on the item, Members raised a query regarding the use of Seabins on the Lake to reduce the amount of litter, the Service Delivery Manager undertook to discuss this with the Environment Agency (EA)as this was not something the Council could resource.

Members queried the water quality rating by the EA as excellent due to conflicting reports. The Service Delivery Manager responded, informing members that the EA took a number of samples throughout the year, the sole purpose of which was to monitor the quality for bathing. He added that although the current rating had been excellent, the 2022/23 results may change this rating.

Following a question regarding the Council’s public liability for the water quality in the Lake, the Legal, Governance and Democracy Specialist undertook to provide a written response.

Members noted the lower number of incidents on the Lake and thanked officers for their hard work to reduce the amount of safety issues in what had been a busy period for the area.

Members raised a number of queries regarding water quality, mainly relating to sewage in the Lake, the use of sea toilets and the holding tanks on boats. The Service Delivery Manager referred to the training session, which had taken place prior to the meeting, noting that these matters would have to be discussed with Stakeholders, the EA and landowners. He added that there were some exceptions for boats using holding tanks.

Members felt it would be a good idea to invite United Utilities (UU) to a future meeting in order to discuss the water quality, it was suggested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee could add consider adding this to the Work Programme.

RESOLVED – That the report and appendix be noted.