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STUC Water Charter: Ensuring Public Accountability and Environmental Protection

The STUC Water Charter outlines objectives for publicly owned water services, emphasizing accessibility, health, and economic development. Key points include investment needs, regulatory challenges, and employment concerns in the water industry. Join the public debate and raise awareness about the importance of accountable water services.

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STUC Water Charter: Ensuring Public Accountability and Environmental Protection

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  1. STUC Water Charter STUC Water Conference 10 May 2004 Dave Watson UNISON Scotland

  2. Context • Public debate • Parliamentary debates and inquiries • Calls for structural change • Regulatory intervention • Investment & charges • Environmental concerns

  3. STUC Response • Water trade unions • Amicus, GMB, TGWU & UNISON • Concern over direction of industry • Public misinformation • Joint initiatives through STUC Water Campaign - STUC Water Charter

  4. Structure • Scottish Water • Scottish Executive • Water Industry Commissioner • Scottish Environment Protection Agency • Drinking Water Quality regulator • Water Customer Consultation Panels

  5. Charter Objectives • Publicly owned and accountable • Effective and accessible public service • Maintain public health • Protect the environment • Underpin economic development

  6. Structure • Support public corporation model • Accountability without day to day interference • Efficient public borrowing • Public interest - Not for profit • Can be strengthened and refined • Alternatives - Privatisation or mutualisation • International threat - GATS & Internal Market Reform • Focus on making Scottish Water work

  7. Investment • Huge investment in infrastructure • Network? • Three options • Middle option was correct compromise • But not the end of investment need • PPP • Failures, poor value, flexibility & accountability

  8. Charges • Investment has to be paid for • Charges or Grants (other public services) • Reform • Harmonisation • Standing charges • Treatment of borrowing • Transparency

  9. Regulation • Confused structure - economic & customer • Comparisons with England • Coastline & Environment • Technical system differences • Investment cycle • Economic models • Data - other utility regulation • Promoting privatisation?

  10. Employment • Scale of job losses • one-third to one-half • Linked to financial models not investment • Safety & customer service • Experience of other utilities • Experienced staff & re-employment • Good employment practice

  11. Water Services Bill • Competition exclusions • Welcome prohibition on common carriage and retail competition • Oppose non-household competition • Business separation • Systems - billing and switching • Cherry picking - supplier of last resort • Regulation

  12. Next Steps • Draft Charter - welcome views • Build a broad based consensus • Improve quality of information • research, transparency • Legislation & consultations • Campaign • Develop positive model of Scottish Water

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