Rotherham Council is facing renewed calls to strengthen measures around open water sites after two recent, fatal incidents in South Yorkshire.
Motion seeks local review and national leadership
Independent councillor Jodie Ryalls has tabled a motion asking the authority to carry out an internal review of council-managed open water areas, their existing safety infrastructure and staffing arrangements. The motion, which is due for debate at a full council meeting on 15 July 2026, also urges the council leader to press local MPs for wider action and national support.
The move follows the deaths of two children in the region in recent months: 16-year-old Muhammad Secka, who died at Rother Valley Country Park, and 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift, who drowned in the River Don at Mexborough. Councillor Ryalls wants the council to report its findings to the scrutiny committee within four months.
Proposals and demands in the motion
The motion contains multiple requests aiming to raise standards and awareness:
- Conduct an internal review of all council-managed open water sites, assessing safety infrastructure and staffing.
- Report results of that review to the scrutiny committee within four months.
- Call on the government to enact ‘Sam’s Law’ to ensure life-saving rescue equipment is placed around high-risk open waters.
- Advocate for a national public-awareness campaign on water safety and the appointment of a dedicated Minister for Water Safety and Drowning Prevention.
The motion frames these steps as necessary to deliver “widespread public safety education” and clearer national leadership on prevention and response plans.
Local impact and practical concerns
If approved, the internal review would require council officers to inspect physical safety measures such as signage, barriers, rescue equipment and staffing levels at country parks, reservoirs and riverside sites under council control. It would also ask the council to assess whether current arrangements for public information and emergency response meet best-practice standards.
For residents who use local waterways for recreation, the motion could lead to:
- Improved on-site rescue equipment (lifebuoys, throwlines) and clearer guidance on their use.
- Better signage and information about the risks associated with particular waterways.
- Targeted education campaigns for schools and community groups about open-water safety.
Accountability and next steps
The motion asks the council leader, Chris Read, to contact local Members of Parliament to push for national measures. It also seeks a national role — a ministerial appointment — to coordinate drowning-prevention efforts.
Members of the public concerned about safety at specific local sites can expect the scrutiny committee to review the council’s findings once the internal assessment is complete. The council has been approached for comment as the motion proceeds to the full meeting.
| Incident | Age | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Death of Muhammad Secka | 16 | Rother Valley Country Park |
| Death of Mackenzie Swift | 11 | River Don, Mexborough |
The forthcoming council debate will reveal whether elected members back immediate local reviews and a push for national reforms. For communities still grieving recent losses, the motion represents a demand for clearer prevention and swifter action.
