Published: Wednesday, 17th March, 2010 11:52am

County's 'flagship' public body at risk

by Jamie MacDonald

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WATERWATCH Scotland - the Alloa-based public body for the nation's water supply - could be moved out of the Wee County if plans from the Scottish Government get the go ahead next week.

The taps could be turned off at Waterwatch when the Public Service Reform Bill goes before MSPs on Thursday 25 March proposing a merger with another Government body.

Just under 30 people are currently employed at the organisation, based at Ingelwood, although workers have been assured there will be no redundancies if plans are passed.

Waterwatch moved to Alloa in 2005 as part of a much heralded plan from the then Labour-led Scottish Executive to reallocate public bodies out of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

At the time, the imminent arrival of the new rail link to Alloa and Clackmannanshire Bridge were sighted as important reasons for bringing the body to the county. Now they are up and running the railway and bridge look set to be put to use ferrying workers out of Clackmannanshire.

One employee, who did not want to be named, told the Advertiser, "I live locally and for me it is very beneficial to work near home and use my skills at home.

"As an organisation Waterwatch supports other businesses by using their services for things like printing, IT and even catering from local companies so it could have a knock on effect.

"It will also affect the kudos of the area as it is good to have the ombudsman for the water industry based in Clackmannanshire."

Options being explored by the SNP led Scottish Government include merging Waterwatch, the only public body based in Clackmannanshire, with the Edinburgh based Scottish Public Services Ombudsman or Consumer Focus Scotland which is situated in Glasgow. It is estimated a merger would save around £300,000.

It is believed opposition parties at Holyrood, Labour, Lib Dem and Greens, oppose the proposals which could see the vote going down to the wire as the SNP Government normally require the backing of another party to pass motions.

The employee went on, "For me moving location would have a significant impact as you are adding one and a half hours travel each way. It would have an impact on family life.

"We have been told there are no redundancies planned but only the future can tell how that will pan out."

Financed through a levy on the industry, Waterwatch investigates complaints over water and sewerage service providers, represents customers, influences policy and, in the time since it moved to Alloa, has overseen a drop in complaints of 65 per cent.

It can also make statutory recommendations to Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Government, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) and the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS).

A spokesperson for Waterwatch Scotland said, "Waterwatch Scotland has achieved a lot in the years it has been based here in Alloa, but we do feel that there is so much more to deliver for consumers too.

"The dedicated team will continue to ensure that all Scottish Water customers get the attention and investment that they deserve, whether we continue as an independent body or move forward as part of a larger organisation."