Changes to Board of Directors
The Board has appointed the following new non-executive directors:
- Judith Barker, representing the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA)
- Caroline Cooper, representing Cambridge Water
The following Board members have stepped down:
- Giles Bloomfield, ADA’s nominated representative
- Andy Willicott, Cambridge Water’s nominated representative
- John Meehan, Essex County Council’s nominated deputy
New members
The board has approved the following organisations as standard members of WRE:
- Miles Water Engineering is a Norfolk-based company with over 40 years of experience in sustainable water-related projects. They specialise in lake dredging, reservoir construction, and wetland creation, working across private, public, and commercial sectors to enhance green infrastructure.
- Creating Nature’s Corridors is a UK-based charity focused on rewilding biodiversity through tree and hedge planting. Founded in 2020, they have a growing volunteer base and income, recently completing a major project near Huntingdon Racecourse.
- ADAS is a leading consultancy in farming and environmental sustainability, offering science-based advice on food production, climate resilience, and carbon reduction. ADAS partners with landowners, farmers, businesses, and government bodies, with projects including collaborations with the Met Office on climate resilience strategies.
- AmbioTEK is a not-for-profit organisation based in Southend-on-Sea, specialising in software and hardware solutions for monitoring water and ecosystem services. Their expertise includes natural capital mapping, scenario modelling, and water security.
- Crowders Nurseries is a family-run business operating as part of RSK Group, managing 380 acres in Lincolnshire. They provide high-quality nursery stock for projects ranging from private developments to national infrastructure schemes, emphasising biodiversity and sustainable water management.
- Asterra is a global leader in satellite-based radar technology addressing critical infrastructure challenges. Their solutions include ‘Recover’ for detecting non-surfacing leaks and ‘EarthWorks’ for assessing underground soil moisture, supporting leakage management for water companies across the South and East regions.
Recent developments discussed by the Board
- Environmental Destination Programme: The Board reviewed ongoing technical workstreams, including hydro-ecological modelling, prioritisation of waterbodies in pilot catchments, and alignment with WRMP scenarios. Funding has been secured to support early-stage investigations, and monitoring priorities are being refined.
- Agricultural Water Resources Planning: The Board received an update on Local Resource Option studies, with several projects at the draft report stage. A national workshop is planned to explore barriers and opportunities, and additional work is underway to integrate demand forecasting and supply resilience metrics into decision-making.
- PR24 Final Determination: The Board discussed Ofwat’s final determination, which has secured funding for key projects, including the Environmental Destination and WINEP programmes, as well as major infrastructure schemes such as the Fens Reservoir and the Grafham Water to Bury St Edmunds transfer. Challenges remain in balancing non-household demand targets against leakage reduction targets.
- Cambridge Water Scarcity Group: The Board reviewed ongoing initiatives supporting housing developments in water-stressed areas. Funding has been secured for non-household water audits and flow regulation devices, with additional medium-term options under consideration.
- New Nature-Based Solutions Projects: WRE is moving into implementation phases for various projects, including work at Whitlingham Country Park and the Sennowe Estate. These initiatives aim to improve flood and drought resilience, enhance habitat creation, and support groundwater recharge.
Regional Water Resources Plan Progress report update
The WRE team updated the Board on progress towards the first formal progress report on the Regional Water Resources Plan for Eastern England. Key areas of focus include monitoring implementation, updating demand projections, and exploring further opportunities for strategic inter-regional transfers. A webinar was held to mark the official launch of the Progress Report, providing insights into progress across sectors in 2024. Key topics included:
- Advances in agricultural water resources planning and catchment-scale studies.
- Updates on national targets for reducing water consumption and tackling leakage.
- Progress in key supply-side schemes within the Regional Plan.
- The impact of Price Review 2024 on plans and proposals.
- The role of new government policies in helping customers save water and reduce bills.
- Strategies for managing pressures from housing and economic growth, particularly in Cambridge.
- Updates on the additional water being left in the environment for nature.
Update on WRE finances and budget for 2025
The Board reviewed WRE’s financial position, noting that another year of surpluses is projected for 2025/26. This will further strengthen cash reserves, ensuring they align with the organisation’s reserves policy. Discussions were held on the best use of any surplus funds beyond the required reserve levels, with the team tasked with exploring potential options.
Membership fee income projections were also reviewed, and the Board confirmed that fee rates would remain unchanged for the upcoming financial year.
Additionally, the Board approved a grant for the Norfolk Water Strategy Programme from The Nature Conservancy and discussed ongoing government-commissioned work supporting the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group, alongside key policy developments.
The Board also discussed WRE’s engagement with the Water Commission and the National Framework Leadership Group, emphasising the need for stronger regional governance structures and integrated water management approaches across sectors.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for April 2025.