Consultations
Ofwat: Ofwat has announced proposals to change the way it regulates the water & sewerage sectors to drive more efficient, customer-focused companies, and ensure more sustainable water use. The proposals are part of its consultation on how it plans to set limits on how much water & sewerage companies in England & Wales can charge their customers from 2015 to 2020.
The publication of Ofwat’s ‘Setting price limits for 2015-20’ consultation follows a 2-year period of engagement by the regulator on how it might change its broad approach to setting price limits.
Ofwat will publish a final methodology for the next price review process in summer 2013. Decisions on new price limits are due at the end of 2014 and will come into effect in April 2015. The consultation closes on 26 March 2013..
Ofwat will publish a final methodology for the next price review process in summer 2013. Decisions on new price limits are due at the end of 2014 and will come into effect in April 2015. The consultation closes on 26 March 2013..
TfL; Transport for London (TfL) is encouraging Londoners to have their say on proposed changes to the Congestion Charging scheme before the public consultation closes on Friday 8 February 2013.
FSA: A UK company has applied to the Food Standards Agency for approval to market sporopollenin shells from a type of plant known as clubmoss Lycopodium clavatum, as a novel food ingredient. The Agency is inviting comments on this application. Any comments on this application should be emailed to the ACNFP Secretariat by 18 February 2013.
FSA: A US company has asked the FSA's expert advisers on novel foods to consider its application for a refined oil to be approved for use in the European Union under the simplified approval procedure. The oil is from a plant known as Buglossoides arvensis. Any comments on this application should be emailed to the ACNFP Secretariat by 18 February 2013.
CC: The Competition Commission has published an issues statement as part of its investigation into the proposed merger of the Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (RBCH) and Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (PH).
The issues statement identifies clearly for all interested parties the key questions which the inquiry is examining. The issues statement does not imply that the Inquiry Group has yet identified any competition concerns. The CC is expected to publish its final report by 24 June 2013.
The full issues statement is available on the inquiry home page along with all other information relating to the inquiry. Any interested party is invited to respond to the issues statement, in writing, by no later than 11 February 2013.
HMT: The Government has published for consultation a set of guidelines & tools to support public & private sector infrastructure providers’ capability to improve the delivery of large scale projects & programmes. The launch of the toolkit forms part of the Government’s Cost Review programme, led by Infrastructure UK, which aims to improve delivery & make efficiency savings of at least 15% by 2015.
Developed by Infrastructure UK in collaboration with industry & academics from the University of Leeds, the ’Infrastructure Procurement Routemap: a guide to improving delivery capability’ provides a valuable guide for infrastructure clients and a coherent approach to assessing and building an effective delivery environment, combining best practice tools & case study examples such as Crossrail.
The closing date for consultation on the draft toolkit is 22 April 2013 after which responses will be reviewed in preparation for the release of an update of the toolkit in late spring 2013.
The consultation will involve continued development with industry and the opportunity to participate in a series of regionally based roadshows. Further details will be advertised through trade press & industry representative bodies.
The consultation will involve continued development with industry and the opportunity to participate in a series of regionally based roadshows. Further details will be advertised through trade press & industry representative bodies.
WAG: Views are being sought on draft guidance on the provision of a service toidentify mental health problems, learning disability or other needs in people brought into custody in Wales. Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has launched a consultation on Criminal Justice Liaison Services (CJLSs), which identify people in the police station or court and signpost or divert them towards an appropriate agency as early as possible in the criminal justice system.
A CJLS of some description is in place in all areas in Wales and all have long-term funding. Draft guidance has been developed to ensure consistency in provision across Wales, outlining the minimum levels of service required in all Local Health Board areas. Consultation closes on 12 March 2013.
FSA: The Food Standards Agency has published its Forward Evidence Plan for 2013. The plan outlines priority science & evidence activities for the coming year, including potential areas for research funding and workshops that will help develop the Agency’s evidence base. Any comments on the plan should be sent by Friday 15 February 2013.
FRC: The Financial Reporting Council has issued (for consultation), guidance for directors, and related standards for auditors, to implement the recommendations of the Sharman Panel of Inquiry into Going Concern and Liquidity Risks. Consultation closes on 28 April 2013.
EU News: The EU aims to allow free circulation of all products throughout the EU - the Single Market concept - but complaints from producers & distributors to the European Commission show that blockages in the trade of industrial products still exist.
In order to address this issue, the Commission is working to identify & eliminate any gaps in the Single Market legislation, in particular if there are any obstacles to the trade of new products & new technologies, such as key enabling technologies or 3-D printing.
The Commission has therefore launched a consultation process which asks business & interested parties to inform the Commission about regulatory issues they encounter while trading industrial products within the EU. Consultation closes on 17 April 2013.
The Commission has therefore launched a consultation process which asks business & interested parties to inform the Commission about regulatory issues they encounter while trading industrial products within the EU. Consultation closes on 17 April 2013.
HO: New proposals to allow people to join the police force without starting at constable rank were revealed recently by the Home Office last week. Currently all recruits to the police have to start at the lowest rank and work their way up, meaning new recruits have to serve at least 20 years before becoming a chief constable.
Tom Winsor, in his independent review of police pay and conditions, recommended allowing skilled applicants from outside policing to join at inspector, superintendent or chief constable level. The Home Office accepted his recommendations in principle and have launched a consultation to seek views on how it should be done. Consultation closes on 28 March 2013.
