8.This section dissolves the Water Customer Consultation Panels and abolishes the position of their convener. The panels and their convener (known together by the operating name of Waterwatch Scotland) perform complaints-handling and representative functions in relation to customers of Scottish Water. The representative and complaints-handling functions of the panels and their convener are to be taken over by the National Consumer Council (NCC) and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) respectively.
9.Subsection (2) adds Scottish Water to schedule 2 (Listed Authorities) of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002. This permits the SPSO to handle complaints about Scottish Water. Subsection (4) requires the NCC to exercise its functions under the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 in relation to services provided by Scottish Water. These functions include the power to represent consumers and to give advice and make proposals in relation to consumer matters. Subsections (6) and (7) introduce schedules which make further provision in consequence of this section.