Rotherham Council faces pressure to tighten safety at open-water sites after councillors lodged a motion following a rise in water-related deaths across South Yorkshire. The proposal, brought forward by independent councillor Jodie Ryalls, will be debated at the full council meeting on 15 July 2026.
What the motion seeks
The motion responds to national concerns raised by the 'Save Lives for Sam' campaign run by The Mirror and local tragedies including the deaths of 16-year-old Muhammad Secka at Rother Valley Country Park and 11-year-old Mackenzie Swift in the River Don at Mexborough. It sets out a package of measures for the council to consider, intended to reduce the risk of future drownings.
- Commission an internal review of council-managed open-water sites, including safety infrastructure and staffing arrangements.
- Report findings to the council's scrutiny committee within four months.
- Push for national measures such as formal adoption of 'Sam's Law' to provide life-saving rescue equipment at high-risk sites.
- Request the council leader, Chris Read, to write to local MPs urging support for a national public-awareness campaign on water safety.
- Call on the government to appoint a dedicated Minister for Water Safety and Drowning Prevention to provide national leadership.
Local implications and accountability
The motion places clear expectations on the council to act swiftly: an internal review and a scrutiny report within four months would require officers to audit sites, assess life-saving equipment and staffing, and identify short-term risk reductions. For residents and families who use Rotherham's parks and rivers, the review could determine whether additional signage, rescue equipment, training or patrols are introduced.
| Action | Timescale |
|---|---|
| Internal review of council-managed open water sites | Report to scrutiny within 4 months |
| Leader to write to MPs | Requested as part of motion |
| Advocate for national measures (e.g. 'Sam's Law', Minister) | Ongoing lobbying |
“The motion urges the need for widespread public safety education and the formal legislative passing of 'Sam’s Law',”
If the motion is approved, residents should expect the council to publish the scope and timetable of its review and any immediate steps taken to secure vulnerable sites. The proposed national actions would, if adopted by Government, create statutory or funded frameworks beyond the council's control but could attract resources and clear leadership on drowning prevention.
At stake is not only the enhancement of physical safety measures but also the co-ordination between local authorities and national government to prevent further loss of life at open-water sites that are used daily by families and visitors in Rotherham.
