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STUC Water Charter

STUC Water Charter. STUC Water Conference 10 May 2004. Dave Watson UNISON Scotland. Context. Public debate Parliamentary debates and inquiries Calls for structural change Regulatory intervention Investment & charges Environmental concerns. STUC Response. Water trade unions

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STUC Water Charter

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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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