12/07/2010
Glas Cymru calls for new water company Members
Glas Cymru, the owners of Welsh Water, are seeking people who can play a crucial role in the governance of the only not for profit water company in England and Wales.
The company has no shareholders and is operated solely for the benefit of its customers. Glas Cymru currently has around 70 Members and it is now planning to recruit up to 20 people to replace those who were appointed in 2001 and who are standing down after serving their full term.
Glas Cymru chairman Bob Ayling said, “Our corporate structure is unique in the England and Wales water industry. Since its creation in 2001 it has brought major benefits to customers in terms of better quality services and affordability. Our Members play a crucial role in ensuring that we continue to focus on this sole purpose – delivering the best possible water and sewerage services at an affordable cost for customers.
“We are looking for people who have an interest in this public service and can bring to the task one of many perspectives – those of domestic or business customers, and other sectors of society. However, all Members are appointed in a personal capacity and do not represent any particular community, organisation or interest group.
“We want to ensure that our Membership is diverse and would especially welcome applications from women, younger people, ethnic minorities, or individuals with experience of hardship or disability. We would also like to have more Members from north Wales and from Herefordshire,” Mr Ayling added.
In the absence of shareholders it is the company’s Members who perform the role normally played by shareholders in the governance of more conventional companies: electing the company’s directors, approving the report and accounts and ensuring that the company continues to deliver high quality, good value services.
Glas Cymru Member Sarah Jenkins of Carmarthenshire became a Glas Cymru Member because she wanted to make a contribution to a business she sees as a vital service
“Welsh Water provides services that safeguard communities, and I whole-heartedly believe in it being run as a not for profit organisation. But I also think that it is important it is managed as a highly-effective business,” she said.
“I now know a lot more about the business and the challenges that it has to face. We help keep the Board ‘grounded’, because we question the company’s views from the perspective of not just being Members, but as water service users ourselves.”
Mr Ayling added that Members will be expected to have the time, and appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to contribute to the task. Members are not paid, but expenses are reimbursed.
An independent selection panel will assess written applications for Membership and recommend individuals for appointment.
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An application form is available from The Company Secretary, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Pentwyn Road, Nelson, Treharris CF46 6LY, or email company.secretary@dwrcymru.com The closing date for applications is 8 September 2010.
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