The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) has published its 2023-24 Annual Report and Accounts which is accompanied by a Section 22 report from the Auditor General.
This follows the Section 22 report published in December 2023, which highlighted weaknesses in governance and financial control within WICS.
Since then, WICS has implemented measures to address the concerns - Audit Scotland’s 2023-24 report confirms there were no instances of non-compliant expenditure between January and March 2024.
In 2024, WICS welcomed an interim CEO and Chair who have strengthened the leadership of the organisation. A review of WICS’ leadership structure is underway and will conclude in December, with the recruitment of a permanent CEO planned for early 2025. The changes will ensure WICS’ organisational structure is best placed to deliver transformational and cultural change.
A comprehensive organisational change programme is already underway to enhance WICS’ operations and effectiveness. This includes clarifying roles and responsibilities, strengthening risk and assurance functions as well as improving communications and hybrid working practices.
These initiatives will continue into 2025, with the leadership team and all staff playing a central role embedding these changes.
Ronnie Hinds, interim Chair of WICS said:
“Audit Scotland’s report recognises the progress made by WICS since the Auditor General’s 2022/23 audit was published last year.
There were no instances of non-compliant expenditure in the period since last year’s Section 22 report and we welcome the Auditor General’s recognition of the significant work under way to improve leadership, governance and culture within the organisation.
This reflects the action WICS has taken to address previously identified weaknesses in governance and financial control and indicates that progress is being made as we continue to undertake organisational change.
Everyone at WICS remains fully focused on fulfilling our crucial role as the economic regulator of Scottish Water on behalf of the people of Scotland.”
Click here to download WICS Annual Report & Accounts 2023-24
Albion Water, the first NAV (New Appointment & Variation) to have been established in1999 and now under the ownership of SDS Water Group, has appointed Andy Holland as its new Director of Business Development.
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality.
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react.
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.