We the undersigned call upon our councillors to write to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed urging that the government brings Southern Water into public ownership. Southern Water has been plagued by poor performance, excess debt, and mismanagement going on for many years. It’s incurred a shocking £94 million in fines, the highest in the industry. It has amassed more than £6bn of debt - one of the UK's most indebted water companies (BBC). Now to top it all, it has raised prices by 47%, taking average bill to £703, a huge jump from the 2024-25 average of £478.  In a cost of living crisis, many will struggle to pay this amount. Meanwhile consumers face sewage leaks in rivers and the sea, and a failure to invest over many decades since privatisation. 82% of voters across all parties want water in public ownership, to end the mismanagement of the failed privatisation model. Public ownership of Southern Water should include in its governance structure a role for households, workers and anti-sewage groups, alongside local councillors.