Mixed Reactions To Sir Robert Goodwill's Appointment As Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership Chair

The appointment of former Scarborough and Whitby MP Sir Robert Goodwill as the new chair of the Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership has sparked a debate among local councillors over his environmental voting record.

The decision to appoint former Scarborough and Whitby MP Sir Robert Goodwill to lead the Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership has generated a mixed reaction across the region. The collaborative organisation brings together key stakeholders, including Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency, and various local authorities where designated bathing waters are geographically located.

According to the partnership, the appointment of Sir Robert follows a comprehensive and full renewal of the structure and governance of the group. During his tenure as the Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby, Sir Robert previously attended the bathing water partnership meetings to represent his coastal constituents.

In his newly appointed role as chair, he will utilise that experience to help steer the future direction of the collaborative group. The partnership has stated that Sir Robert will also work alongside other bathing water chairs from across the country to actively share learnings and best practices.

Initially, the newly structured partnership is focusing its efforts on bathing waters in the Yorkshire region that currently hold a 'poor' classification. As part of his new leadership responsibilities, Sir Robert will be working to appoint an independent stakeholder representative to bring together local interest groups and improve transparency.

Speaking about his new appointment, Sir Robert Goodwill said:

"The quality of our bathing waters is important to everyone in our region, whether that's their use of waters for recreation or for its influence on tourism. Bringing together the partnership in one place and exploring the various opportunities we have to make improvements across all our coastal and inland bathing waters is positive and something I'm looking forward to being involved in. One of my first actions will be to appoint an independent stakeholder representative. They will bring together local interest groups to ensure they are involved in the work we're doing to improve bathing waters and to improve transparency around the process, the complexities and the challenges we're facing now and into the future."

However, the former MP's appointment has not been welcomed by everyone. The decision has sparked a debate among local politicians regarding his previous voting record in Parliament.

Speaking at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council this week, Scarborough Councillor Rich Maw asked if the council's leaders backed the appointment:

"Many residents will find it extraordinary that Sir Robert Goodwill, who as a Tory MP, voted against stronger legal duties on water companies to reduce sewage discharges, is now leading Yorkshire's bathing water partnerships.

This is the gentleman who actually voted against a lord's amendment that would have blocked the discharge of untreated sewage.

So, the question is simply, does the leader support this appointment?"

Despite the concerns raised over his past parliamentary votes on environmental legislation, the appointment has been firmly defended by the leadership at North Yorkshire Council. They point to his extensive background in environmental governance and his deep understanding of the local area.

North Yorkshire Council Leader Councillor Carl Les said:

"We're talking about Sir Robert Goodwill. He was a former government minister in the Environmental Department, Chair of the Commons Defra Select Committee, and the long serving MP for Scarborough, where the bathing water partnership will operate.

Sir Robert sets out not only his experience, but his recognition of the issue and his vision for the role. Based on his experience and that vision, I do support his appointment, and look forward to working with him for the benefit of the coast, and I would expect council will want to do the same."

The inaugural board meeting of the newly renewed Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership is currently expected to take place in August, as the group continues its ongoing work to improve bathing water quality across the entire region.

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