In February, the Strategic Panel (the Panel) published its response to CCW’s Forward Work Programme, 2025-26.
The Panel supports CCW’s strategic priorities, which align heavily with its own and with the requirements of the Roadmap to a Flourishing Market. It also welcomes CCW’s commitment to publishing a progress report on its Five Year Review recommendations, recognising the significant changes to the political landscape and the industry in the two years since publication.
The response notes the absence of a key action set out for CCW in the roadmap (C1, ‘Key information for customers on or with bills’) and stresses the importance of timely delivery to ensure the best outcomes for customers. It also notes CCW’s commitment to publishing a follow-up report on whether low water use businesses (using up to 0.5ML/yr) should be in the water retail market. While the Panel would welcome an assessment of smaller customer experiences at an appropriate future time, it does not believe now is the right time to undertake that report, nor does it support the removal of low usage customers from the market. Instead, it recommends greater exploration and analysis as to why the market is not working for smaller customers and suggests that more time should be given to allow the actions detailed in the roadmap to be delivered.
The Panel looks forward to working collaboratively with CCW to support improved customer outcomes.
You can read the full response here. If you have any questions, please email
