Consumer Council Says Work Must Continue To Ensure Best Value Water And Sewerage Services
Wednesday 3 February 2010
The Consumer Council says it will continue to push for best value water and sewerage services and that today is a milestone but not the final destination. The comments came as the Utility Regulator today published its Final Determination on Northern Ireland Water’s (NI Water) spending plans for the next three years (Price Control 2010/PC10).
Consumer Council Chief Executive, Antoinette McKeown, said: “The Consumer Council asked that consumers be placed at the centre of all price decisions regarding water and sewerage services. Specifically we called for investment to tackle internal sewer flooding, pollution and water quality as we have been told by consumers that these are their top priorities[a].
“We are pleased to see that within the Final Determination there will be some investment in these areas but we will be taking the time to see how far this will go. There is a saving of £91 million; with £68 million of this a saving to the public purse. This is always good news for consumers if it delivers a better service whilst also delivering a more efficient water service. The Consumer Council and consumers will be looking for this assurance.
“The Final Determination also confirms that some businesses will have to pay more for their water and sewerage services. While any increase is unwelcome consumers have made it clear that they will expect more from NI Water if they are asked to pay more. The Consumer Council’s role will be to ensure that all consumers are getting the best possible value for the money spent.
“The Consumer Council will continue to monitor and scrutinise the progress NI Water makes towards meeting and working to exceed its targets.”
Notes to Editor
Next Steps
NI Water now has two months to review the Final Determination. If it chooses not to accept it NI Water can refer it to the Competitions Commission.
The Role of the Utility Regulator and of the Consumer Council
- The Utility Regulator must balance the financial needs and economics of the supplier company with the interests of the consumer. The Utility Regulator’s approach is through an economic lens.
- The Consumer Council’s focus is what is in the best interest of consumers, taking into consideration wider social impacts. It represents consumers’ views, eg through research, briefings and publications, and can investigate consumers’ complaints. The Consumer Council can also lobby and campaign to influence policy and decision makers.
1. Consumer Council media contact: Keelin Kelly telephone, 028 9067 4807 or e-mail, kkelly@consumercouncil.org.uk.
2. The Consumer Council is an independent consumer organisation, working to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland’s consumers. The Council campaigns for high standards of service and protection and a fair deal for all. It also carries out research, gives advice and publishes reports and other publications. It deals with individual complaints about buses, trains, planes, ferries, natural gas, electricity, coal and water.
3. For more information, visit our website at www.consumercouncil.org.uk
[a] Tapping into Consumers’ Views on Water: A Research Report by the Consumer Council commissioned by NI Water, March 2009.
