Committee
Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee 03 March 2026 [Draft]
03 Mar 2026 · S6 · Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Public Services Reform (Scottish Water) Order 2026 [Draft]
To help you, cabinet secretary, WICS responded to the committee on 27 November 2025, and a copy of that letter was sent to you, in which it expressed its concerns and asked you how the cost savings would be implemented and shown. I am sure that you have looked at that letter and will respond to let WICS know the answers.Given that there are no further questions, we move to the next item—a debate on motion S6M-20592, which calls on the committee to recommend approval of the Public Services Reform (Scottish Water) Order 2026. Cabinet secretary, I ask you to speak to and move the motion, or just to move the motion—whichever you see fit.Motion moved,That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Public Services Reform (Scottish Water) Order 2026 draft be approved.—Gillian Martin
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
In the same item of business
08:40
The Convener
Con
Our second item of business is consideration of a draft statutory instrument. The purpose of the order is to amend the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, wh...
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy (Gillian Martin)
SNP
I will take the committee through the instrument. Under the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002, Scottish Water must have a minimum of three executive members...
The Convener
Con
Thank you. The order will reduce the number of executive members on the board from three to two, and the requirement in the legislation is that non-executive...
Gillian Martin
SNP
:No, the number of non-executive directors will remain at the same level as it is now.
The Convener
Con
I know that it will under this order, but my question is, now that you are reducing the size of the executive board by one member, is it your vision that the...
Gillian Martin
SNP
:There are no plans to do so.
The Convener
Con
There are no plans to do so—okay.
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
It was good to get clarification that there will not be a reduction in the number of other board members. However, as part of the evidence that we have taken...
Gillian Martin
SNP
:I am aware of the unions’ calls for that but there are no plans to do it. In 2002, when the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill was being considered, we consider...
The Convener
Con
Before we leave the subject, I read the letter from the unions and each union seems to be asking for a representative on the board, so that would be three on...
Gillian Martin
SNP
:Do you want their name?
The Convener
Con
Yes.
Gillian Martin
SNP
:It is Steve Dickson.
The Convener
Con
What is his experience?
Gillian Martin
SNP
:My officials might have his title to hand.
Lucy Drummie (Scottish Government)
The 2002 act requires the appointment of a non-executive member with employee interests. Steve Dickson is considered to have the relevant experience for that...
The Convener
Con
Remind me of what that is, if you do not mind.
James Simpson (Scottish Government)
I do not have Mr Dickson’s CV to hand but we can certainly provide the committee with that information.
The Convener
Con
It would be useful to know that, so we can be sure that the committee has considered the issue fully. Do you want to come back in, Sarah?
Sarah Boyack
Lab
:In previous evidence, we heard that the issue is not just about new capital investment; there are concerns among Scottish Water workers that there are fewer...
The Convener
Con
Cabinet secretary, I will let you answer some of that, but I ask Sarah Boyack to bear in mind that, although it was a nice push, we are considering a specifi...
Gillian Martin
SNP
:That is an operational matter for Scottish Water as the employer. It currently employs nearly 5,000 staff. If it expands its operations, expanding the numbe...
The Convener
Con
That took us a bit far from the statutory instrument.
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
It is disappointing that there is no automatic seat on the board for worker representation. ScotRail’s board has a representative who has come from a senior ...
Gillian Martin
SNP
:The chief executive officer will be responsible for those issues.I am a little confused. No concerns on that decision were raised with me by WICS. In fact, ...
Mark Ruskell
Green
:Your expectation is that the CEO will take over the role of the COO on the board in relation to staffing. However, the evidence that we have had—which we ca...
Gillian Martin
SNP
:I will bring in James Simpson, because WICS has not raised anything—
Mark Ruskell
Green
:I am asking the question based on evidence that has been given to the committee. I am relaying that.
James Simpson
The COO’s responsibilities, in the round, will be split across the senior management team. That is a decision for the CEO as accountable officer. When it com...