Menu
04/12/2006
Consultation on licence for NI Water Ltd released
The Department for Regional Development has placed the draft licence for Northern Ireland Water Limited (NIWL) under public consultation.
The draft Order, which is presently going through Parliament, provides for the Department to issue a licence, to govern the appointed company’s operations.
The Licence will come into force on April 1 2007 and will be enforced by the new Economic Regulator.
The licence details arrangements for setting price limits for NIWL, how these are to be incorporated into customers’ bills, for ensuring that the supply and quality of service are maintained and that the interest of customers are protected.
The document marks a key step towards radical changes to Northern Ireland’s water and sewerage services.
The licence gives effect to the full range of Government policy through the imposition of a series of conditions on NIWL for the delivery of water and sewerage services within the framework set by the draft Order.
Minister David Cairns said: “The draft Licence published today for consultation is a key document governing the operations of the new company – Northern Ireland Water Limited. In developing this licence we have taken careful account of the views of the future economic regulator and the future consumer representative. The result is a licence that takes account of best regulatory practice, builds on licensing in England and Wales and is tailored to our own circumstances in Northern Ireland.
“This draft Licence will protect customers’ interests through robust regulatory scrutiny whilst setting an appropriate framework to enable the company to operate effectively and sustainably.”
He continued: “As well as building on best practice elsewhere, the draft licence puts in place arrangements for the package of measures previously announced by Government to ensure that domestic charges are in line with average bills in England and Wales in the first three years and arrangements for the new charges to be phased in over the same period. The draft Licence also provides for the first Price Review by the Economic Regulator in 2009.”
The draft Licence is accompanied by an initial Statement of Regulatory Principles and Intent from the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation, in advance of its taking on the role of Economic Regulator for Northern Ireland’s water industry.
The statement does not bind the future regulator but sets out, at a high level, the approach, intent and principles that he expects the Authority to adopt for the independent, economic regulation of NIWL.
(EF)
The draft Order, which is presently going through Parliament, provides for the Department to issue a licence, to govern the appointed company’s operations.
The Licence will come into force on April 1 2007 and will be enforced by the new Economic Regulator.
The licence details arrangements for setting price limits for NIWL, how these are to be incorporated into customers’ bills, for ensuring that the supply and quality of service are maintained and that the interest of customers are protected.
The document marks a key step towards radical changes to Northern Ireland’s water and sewerage services.
The licence gives effect to the full range of Government policy through the imposition of a series of conditions on NIWL for the delivery of water and sewerage services within the framework set by the draft Order.
Minister David Cairns said: “The draft Licence published today for consultation is a key document governing the operations of the new company – Northern Ireland Water Limited. In developing this licence we have taken careful account of the views of the future economic regulator and the future consumer representative. The result is a licence that takes account of best regulatory practice, builds on licensing in England and Wales and is tailored to our own circumstances in Northern Ireland.
“This draft Licence will protect customers’ interests through robust regulatory scrutiny whilst setting an appropriate framework to enable the company to operate effectively and sustainably.”
He continued: “As well as building on best practice elsewhere, the draft licence puts in place arrangements for the package of measures previously announced by Government to ensure that domestic charges are in line with average bills in England and Wales in the first three years and arrangements for the new charges to be phased in over the same period. The draft Licence also provides for the first Price Review by the Economic Regulator in 2009.”
The draft Licence is accompanied by an initial Statement of Regulatory Principles and Intent from the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation, in advance of its taking on the role of Economic Regulator for Northern Ireland’s water industry.
The statement does not bind the future regulator but sets out, at a high level, the approach, intent and principles that he expects the Authority to adopt for the independent, economic regulation of NIWL.
(EF)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
14 November 2024
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
Traffic Warning For South Belfast Ahead Of Northern Ireland Match
Road users are advised to plan for potential traffic delays in the south Belfast area on Friday, 15th November due to the UEFA Nations League football match between Northern Ireland and Belarus. The match will take place at Windsor Park, kicking off at 7.45pm, and it is expected that around 18,000 supporters will attend.
26 March 2013
PSNI Issues Easter Message
The PSNI has issued a message to those planning to head out and celebrate over the Easter holidays. The message came from police in C District, which includes Newtownards, North Down, Down and Castlereagh.
PSNI Issues Easter Message
The PSNI has issued a message to those planning to head out and celebrate over the Easter holidays. The message came from police in C District, which includes Newtownards, North Down, Down and Castlereagh.
12 September 2012
Seven Charged With Sham Marriage Immigration Offences
Seven people including a solicitor and trainee solicitor are facing immigration charges relating to an alleged sham marriage at City Hall in August 2011. The alleged sham marriage groom was John Robert Nicholl, 55, from Sea Road in Castlerock, County Londonderry.
Seven Charged With Sham Marriage Immigration Offences
Seven people including a solicitor and trainee solicitor are facing immigration charges relating to an alleged sham marriage at City Hall in August 2011. The alleged sham marriage groom was John Robert Nicholl, 55, from Sea Road in Castlerock, County Londonderry.
19 December 2012
Average Gas Bills To Increase By £11 Next Year
The final determination of the Competition Commission (CC) on the price control and licence conditions for Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd (PNGL) has been published today. The CC submitted its report on 28 November to the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (Utility Regulator).
Average Gas Bills To Increase By £11 Next Year
The final determination of the Competition Commission (CC) on the price control and licence conditions for Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd (PNGL) has been published today. The CC submitted its report on 28 November to the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (Utility Regulator).
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
