In the PR19 final methodology we explained that we would set up C-MeX and D-MeX working groups – with memberships drawn from water company, customer representatives and other relevant stakeholder groups – to help us develop the design and implementation of the surveys, and to help resolve practical issues such as those around data provision.
We held the first C-MeX and D-MeX working groups in September 2017, followed by regular meetings of both the full working groups and sub-groups throughout the pilot year (2018-19) and the shadow year (2019-20) phases of development.
C-MeX full working group
The C-MeX full working group is comprised of representatives from:
- all the regulated water companies, (an assortment of customer, household retail, and regulation managers etc.); and
- CCWater.
C-MeX sub group
A sub-group of the C-MeX working group was set up, to act as a more efficient means of discussing some of the detailed, working level C-MeX issues.
We produced, and agreed, terms of reference (see below) with the members, to support the operation of the C-MeX sub-group.
The C-MeX sub-group comprises working level representatives from:
- Thames Water;
- Affinity Water;
- Severn Trent Water;
- Wessex Water;
- United Utilities; and
- CCWater.
D-Mex full working group
The D-MeX full working group has a membership covering:
- all water companies (typically heads of developer services teams etc.);
- The Home Builders Federation (HBF – representing large and small developers);
- Fair Water Connections (representing self-lay providers);
- Independent Water Networks Ltd (representing new appointees);
- Infrastructure Gateway Ltd (a self-lay provider);
- CCWater;
- Water UK; and
- Defra.
D-MeX sub group
Some of the D-MeX working group members, alongside the industry body Water UK, requested that a D-MeX sub-group be formed, to discuss some of the detailed working level D-MeX issues.
The terms of reference for the D-MeX sub-group can be found below.
Terms of reference
C-MeX working group sub-group
The purpose of the C-MeX sub-group is to have working-level, detailed discussions about issues, ideas or risks in relation to the implementation of C-MeX, the C-MeX pilot and remaining undecided aspects of the design of C-MeX. The sub-group facilitates the collaborative development of C-MeX to ensure it:
- reflects customer behaviour changes and market changes and
- meets the success criteria set out in the methodology statement:
- encourages companies to improve customer experiences and innovate;
- is simple and meaningful for companies and customers;
- is proportionate;
- is practical to implement;
- measures performance across companies consistently, reliably and fairly.
The sub-group works within the policy decisions on C-MeX already taken in the PR19 final methodology. The sub-group recognises that the final decisions on the design of C-MeX are for Ofwat to take.
Roles: By default Ofwat chairs the meetings of the sub-group, but the meeting Chairs may rotate between Ofwat staff and members of the sub-group by agreement.
Frequency and format: Meetings will take place approximately every 3 weeks from 24 May during the pilot phase. To enable this frequency of meeting the group can meet via teleconference.
Method of working:
- Fairness: to help ensure equal access to information about Ofwat’s latest thinking on C-MeX policy and the implementation aspects of C-MeX the company members of the sub-group communicate information to the full C-MeX working group regularly.
- Collaborative: to help facilitate collaborative working Ofwat might bring early thinking, rather than fully-formed papers to the sub-group and other members of the sub-group might be asked to draft options for issues that need to be resolved.
Meeting notes: Ofwat drafts the meeting notes, unless agreed during or in advance of any meeting that a member of the sub-group will draft the notes.
D-MeX working group sub-group
The D-MeX sub-group consists of Ofwat, Allto Consulting and a sub-set of the members of the D-MeX working group.
The purpose of the D-MeX sub-group is to have working-level, detailed discussions about issues, ideas or risks in relation to the implementation of D-MeX, the pilot and remaining undecided aspects of the design of D-MeX. The sub-group facilitates the collaborative development of D-MeX to ensure it:
- reflects customer behaviour changes and market changes and
- meets the success criteria set out in the methodology statement:
- encourages companies to improve customer experiences and innovate;
- is simple and meaningful for companies and customers;
- is proportionate;
- is practical to implement;
- measures performance across companies consistently, reliably and fairly.
The sub-group works within the policy decisions on D-MeX already taken in the PR19 final methodology, recognising that the final decisions on the design of D-MeX are for Ofwat to take.
Roles: By default Ofwat chairs the meetings of the sub-group, but the meeting Chairs may rotate between Ofwat staff and members of the sub-group by agreement.
Frequency and format: Meetings take place as needed for specific issues, via teleconference.
Method of working:
- Fairness: to help ensure equal access to information about Ofwat’s latest thinking on D-MeX policy and the implementation aspects of D-MeX, the sub-group will communicate information to the full D-MeX working group following any meeting.
- Collaboration: to facilitate collaborative working, any member might bring early thinking, rather than fully-formed papers to the sub-group and other members of the sub-group might be asked to draft options for issues that need to be resolved.
Meeting notes: Ofwat drafts the meeting notes, unless agreed during or in advance of any meeting that another member of the sub-group will draft the notes.