The Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland has announced that modifications to Northern Ireland Water’s Instrument of Appointment have been approved following a consultation in March 2016 on the proposed changes.

The Regulator said the amendments were designed to reduce the regulatory burden on the company and other relevant parties as part of its own commitment to ‘Better Regulation’, together with reducing associated regulatory costs. They are also intended to ensure that “regulatory effort is focused on those areas which yield maximum value.”

Announcing the changes, thje Regulator said that as the regulatory regime has developed, it has become apparent that certain regulatory submissions are no longer required or require amendment to become fit for purpose.

The effects of the amendments will be to:

• Remove the requirement for an Auditor Report on the Principal Statement due to improved reporting mechanisms introduced for Principal Statements;
• Remove the requirement for a Procurement Activity Report unless specifically requested by the Authority
• Remove the requirement for a Reporter Report on Levels of Service due to improved company reporting mechanisms

Three organisations responded to the consultation – the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, the Department for Regional Development and Northern Ireland Water itself. In its response, CCNI asked the Utility Regulator to confirm that removal of the three reports accompanying information returns from NI Water would “in no way hinder the Regulator’s ability to scrutinise the performance of NI Water”.

The licence amendments came into effect on 5th May 2016.