More about spin than engagement
Thames Water refused local press entry to last week's meeting to discuss Mogden sewage.Richard Ayland said he refused press entry as some residents’ groups would not have liked discussing their issues publicly.
Councillor Jon Hardy said: “It was a useful meeting because we saw the sort of organisation we are dealing with. The problems at the plant have been caused by a perennial under investment in the machinery and a lack of communication with the public.
“Thames Water’s interaction with community when we had more flies in the area and saw the storm tanks weren’t covered was terrible – they sat on it and the council had to really push to get this information out of them.
“If Thames Water really wanted to get its message out there why not let the press in, as it is the only independent body able to hold it to account. They seem to be more about spin than engagement with community and work to solve problems rather than prevent them.”
Councillor Phil Andrews in his blog said the meeting offered an opportunity to witness "the spin, the persistent sleight of hand manoeuvring and obfuscation of this wealthy public utility which prefers to fight its neighbours in court than dip even furtively into its own rather vast pockets to honour its legal and moral obligations."
Information can be found at Thames Water's site or contact MRAG27@aol.com (Mogden Residents Action Group) for further details