MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED TO WATERVOICE WESSEX

2 May 2002 04:11 PM

Philip Fletcher, the Director General of Water Services, has re-appointed four members to WaterVoice Wessex. They are:

David Boggon

Joy Fraser

Michael Warrander

Ken Young.

Commenting on the appointments, the Chairman Sheila Reiter said:

"The re-appointment of these four experienced members will ensure that all areas of our region remain represented by someone who is committed to the protection of customers.

"These re-appointments will maintain our already strongly customer focused Committee. Their skills in engineering, chemistry, surveying and care in the community will mean that customers' water and sewerage services will continue to be well protected.

"They are hard working committee members who between them bring a wealth of experience on all the issues that have affected customers over recent years. I value their advice on issues ranging from the type of care special needs customers should be receiving, to their considered opinion on competition."

Notes to Editors

1. WaterVoice Wessex represents the interests of Wessex Water Services, Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water, Bristol Water, Cholderton & District Water Company and Thames Water Utilities at Tidworth.

2. WaterVoice Wessex is one of ten WaterVoice Committees (the Ofwat Customer Service Committees set up under the Water Industry Act 1991 by the Director General of Ofwat). There are nine WaterVoice Committees in England and a Committee for Wales.

3. WaterVoice:

- Investigates and resolves complaints;

- Makes sure that the companies are aware of, and responsive to, concerns about the range and quality of services available; and

- Represent customers' interests to the Director so that he can take customer concerns into account in making his decisions.

4. Biographical details on all members of the Committee are attached.

5. Appointments made by the Director fall outside the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. However Ofwat is committed to principles of fairness and openness in the making of public appointments with selection based on merit.

6. Members are part-time and unpaid, but expenses may be claimed. Members come from a broad range of backgrounds and are appointed in a personal capacity based on their skills and experience to represent all water customers in each region and not as the representative of a particular interest group.

7. In reviewing Committee membership, the Director aims to give new people with fresh ideas the opportunity to represent customers' interests, while still maintaining continuity and experience. The Director reviews and appoints members in consultation with the Committee Chair. Members are appointed for a term of up to three years, and are eligible for re-appointment.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES TO THE WATERVOICE REGIONAL MANAGER, JENNIFER SUGGATE ON: 0117 955 7001

Ofwat and WaterVoice press notices are available on the
Internet and can be found on Ofwat's home page at
www.ofwat.gov.uk

WaterVoice Wessex

Membership as of 1 May 2002

Chairman

Mrs Sheila Reiter
Member of the Parole Board; Vice Chairman of NHS Logistics Authority; non-executive Director of Bath Festivals Trust; former Justice of Peace, Bath and Wansdyke Bench; senior positions in the retail industry, including Managing
Directorships with Jaeger Holdings and Debenhams plc, following career in training and education; (first appointed 1/8/95; time commitment eight days per month; remuneration £20,079 p.a.).

Members

Mr David Boggon
Chartered surveyor in private practice since 1985. Former principal valuer with economic responsibilities at Somerset County Council; fellow of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; presently Chairman of the Taunton and District branch of the Federation of Small Businesses; (Somerset) (first appointed 1/5/99).

Mrs Margaret Cook
Property owner and manager. Former Chairman of property and tourism business, Mellory Ltd; fellow of the Institute of Consumer Sciences; previously a member of MAFF Wessex Regional Panel and South West Electricity Consumers Committee;
(Somerset) (first appointed 16/11/00).

Mr Piers Feilden
Managing Director, Lubborn Cheese Ltd; Director, British Cheese Board; (Somerset) (first appointed 20/4/90).

Dr Joy Fraser
Chartered chemist. Former teacher and lecturer; former part- time inspector for Further Education Funding Council; member, DWI's Committee on Products and Processes for Use in Public Water Supply; member of DWI's Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies 2001; (Wiltshire) (first appointed 1/5/99).

Dr Abbe Hayward
Research & Information Manager, South West Regional Assembly; Partner of the Women's National Commission; PhD in
Environmental Risk Management; (North Somerset) (first
appointed 16/11/00).

Mrs Brenda Lalonde
Voluntary worker with the elderly and young families; former social worker; (Bristol) (first appointed 13/5/91).

Mr David Pullen
Retired Solicitor. 1989-1999 Solicitor and Secretary, National Trust; trained as a Citizens' Advice Bureau volunteer adviser; (Dorset) (first appointed 16/11/00).

Mrs Gillian Stafford
Non-Executive Director Wiltshire Healthcare NHS trust (1997- 1999); regional committee member for Wessex National Trust (1993-1999); Parish Councillor (Wiltshire) (first appointed 1/5/00).

Mr David Tipping
Retired economist; Member of the Thames CSC, May 1996 to October 1997; (Dorset) (first appointed 1/5/98).

Mr Michael Warrander
Chartered engineer; Member of the Central CSC August 1996 - June 1998; (Wiltshire) (first appointed 14/9/98).

Mrs Alicia Webster
Money Advice Development Worker with Bristol Citizen's Advice Bureau. Former money advisor for Trading Standards Department, and has worked with local Health Authority and Social Services; (Bristol) (first appointed 1/5/00).

Mr Ken Young
Chartered engineer; member of the Institute of Gas Engineers; Chaired the Dorset County Highway and Utilities Forum to provide close co-operation between County and Borough Utilities Authorities; part-time worker with carers and the elderly; Local Housing Association board member; (Dorset) (first
appointed 1/5/99).

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