This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
First Convenor of water customer panels
14/10/2002
Ian Smith, a 52 year old former Chief Executive of Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council, was today appointed as the first Convenor of the Water Customer Consultation Panels.
The Customer Panels - an integral part of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 which created Scottish Water - are being set up to represent the views and interests of the customers of the services delivered by the water authority.
Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:
"I am delighted that Mr Smith has accepted this important appointment with responsibility for representing the views and interests of the customers of Scottish Water. He is taking up this appointment at a challenging time for the water industry following the creation of Scottish Water.
"Scottish Water are investing hugely in Scotland's water services and we are determined to see this investment deliver real improvements to customers. That challenge can only be met by being responsive to the needs and concerns of their customers."
The Panels we are establishing will have a vital role in working with Scottish Water to ensure that standards, both of our drinking water and our water environment, continue to improve to the benefit of all of Scottish Water's customers.
Mr Smith is a Board member of Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and is a former Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland. He is also Local Government Adjudicator for Scotland for which he receives an annual salary of £5,000. A former Board member of West of Scotland Water, Mr Smith lives in Lockerbie. No political activity has been declared.
The Convenor will be remunerated at a fixed rate of £500 plus a daily rate of £170 based on a time commitment of 6 days per month, a total payment of £12,740.
Mr Smith's first task will be to appoint members to the Water Customer Consultation Panels. There will be four Panels to serve the Scottish Water Operational areas of North West, North East , South West, and South East with an additional Panel serving the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.
The Panels, which are independent of the Water Industry Commissioner, must publish reports on any matter it considers relevant to the interests of customers.
This release was published on 15/10/2002