MOSL, on behalf of the industry Panel, is launching its first Market Improvement Fund to fund innovative projects that can make a significant impact on the market and deliver benefits to business customers. The fund, which will be accepting nominations from 1-30 September, gives individuals or groups the opportunity to apply for funding for projects between £10k-£150k from a £1m pot. The fund was established as part of a change proposal implemented at the beginning of 2020 to utilise performance standards charges for market-improvement projects, rather than being redistributed back to trading parties.
Projects must:
- Enhance market functioning and benefit non-household customers
- Not be considered 'business as usual'
- Not confer any competitive advantage to any trading party or group of trading parties
- Be sponsored by at least one trading party or MOSL as market operator (however third-party bids are encouraged).
This is the first of several rounds of funding which we expect to roll out each financial year.
Following submission, each application will be reviewed by MOSL to ensure eligibility and be assessed byan independent Selection Committee. Subject to ratification by the Panel, the winning bids will be announced in November 2021.
The full application pack, which includes the application form, guidance document, applicant handbook and Terms and Conditions, will be available to download next week via the MOSL website.
Trisha McAuley, Chair of the Panel says: “We are pleased to announce the launch of the Market Improvement Fund, the first of its kind and one that is sure to bring positive change to the industry. The aim of this fund is to help better the market for its customers. I hope that it encourages collaboration and new partnerships, new ways of thinking and greater innovation in tackling some of the longstanding market issues, whilst also focusing on a sustainable future market.”
MOSL is also currently in the process of recruiting Selection Committee members, which will be made up of trading party, customer, and independent representatives.Nominees are invited to review the brief here. Nominations close on Friday 30 July.
If you have any questions, please email
Ends.
Notes to editors:
- MOSL is the Market Operator for the non-household water market in England with obligations set out under the Market Terms and the Market Arrangements Code (MAC)
- The Market Improvement Fund has been implemented from change proposal CPM018: ‘Treatment of Market Performance Standard charges and Operational Performance Standard charges’
- More information, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available on the Market Improvement Fund web page.
