Following our Water Quality Report, our reps in Wales met with the Senedd, the Welsh devolved parliament (known as Welsh Parliament in English and Senedd Cymru in Welsh). They handed in the report and spoke about it to Members of the Senedd. One of our reps for Port Talbot, Rachel Edwards, tells us how it went. 

“This year’s Water Quality report was released on Tuesday 21st November. On the following Wednesday, Welsh reps Alun Moseley, Michael Goode, Ruby George and myself, had the opportunity to present it to Members of Senedd. We were joined by Kim Waters from Welsh River Unions, and Phil and Ben from Surfability CIC. Visiting the Senedd was a wonderful experience, and we were warmly received by several Members of Senedd who joined us to take a copy of the report and discuss its findings.

Like many, I personally joined SAS because I wanted to make a difference in keeping my local coastline clean and encouraging and equipping others to join me. As we are all too painfully aware, as vital as grass roots exercises such as beach cleans and education events are, in order to make long lasting, effective change, we must impact the government policies and legislation.

With water quality issues hitting the national news in recent months, it was incredible to have the opportunity to discuss the devastating findings within the report on a personal level with Members of Senedd. We found the MS we spoke to aware of the plight and keen to engage to make a difference. In fact, such was their interest, that they urged us to keep the report and our End Sewage Pollution Manifesto firmly on the radar by suggesting further formal meetings to present our case.

We plan to return to the Senedd in the next 12 months to put the spotlight on the Wales Water Quality Report and formally invite all Members to discuss it with us. We will keep you posted!”

Image credit: Dave Edwards