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Independent Customer Scrutiny Committee

The Independent Customer Scrutiny Committee was set up in 2025 to make sure our customers are at the heart of our decisions.

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What they do

The committee takes an honest look at how we’re performing, highlights where we need to do better and recognises improvements. The committee:

  • Holds our Board, CEO, and Directors to account.
  • Work with customers and communities, especially during incidents.
  • Checks we meet environmental, financial, and service standards set by regulators.
  • Reviews our emergency response and compensation.
  • Makes sure long-term customer needs, including vulnerable groups, guide our planning.
  • Publishes independent reports to build trust and confidence in our performance.  

You can read their terms of reference for full details. 

Members 

The Committee is chaired by Dan McDonald, an independent leader with expertise in governance and the public interest. Members are selected for their independence and experience across consumer advocacy and affordability, infrastructure and public services, environment and sustainability, and local and regional representation. All members act independently and are required to declare any conflicts of interest.

Dan is the CEO of Citizens Advice Medway and a Councillor at Medway Council. A former senior government Special Adviser who has a background in nursing and decades of experience in community-focused projects. Dan chairs the Medway Volunteer Centre and Relate North Kent, serves on the board of Golding Homes, and helped establish Street Reps, a volunteer initiative aimed at improving the local environment and community spirit. His long-standing involvement across local services and social impact shows his strong commitment to community wellbeing. 

Hazel is Assistant Director of Corporate Services at Hestia, overseeing health and safety, compliance, and corporate contracts. She also holds governance roles as Chair of Audit, Vice Chair of Licensing and Safety Committees, and is a board member of the Lower Medway and North Kent Marshes Internal Drainage Boards. 

Jacqueline has a varied background in customer service, training, and recruitment, alongside work as a writer, tutor, hypnotherapist, and charity volunteer. She is now a professional funeral and wedding celebrant and founder of The Celebrant Circle, supporting celebrants across the UK and beyond. A Sussex resident for nearly four decades, Jacqueline is committed to promoting thoughtful, community-minded action in the region. 

Jayesh is a GP with 38 years of experience, widely respected for his compassionate patient-centred approach. He now focuses on preventive health, especially for young people, and advocates for evidence-based wellbeing — including the benefits of drinking tap water for dental and overall public health. 

Michael recently retired after a 36-year career in democratic services, mostly in senior roles within local authorities. He holds a degree in Government and Public Policy and is a qualified Chartered Secretary. A member and assessor for the Association of Democratic Services Officers, he also serves as an Independent Person for Horsham District Council. Michael brings extensive expertise in governance, compliance, and ethical standards, informed by over 20 years supporting scrutiny committees. 

Meetings

Meetings are held at least quarterly and are live streamed for everyone to view. 

The next meeting is being held on Monday 15 June 2026 and will focus on reputation, including the impact of campaigns and how we engage with stakeholders and customer engagement. The meeting will go live from 1pm or shortly after: Watch the live committee meeting.

 

Latest meeting:

The most recent meeting was held on Thursday 2 April 2026 and focused on wastewater performance, pollution and storm overflows. Southern Water’s Managing Director for Wastewater, John Penicud, and Director of Environment & Innovation, Nick Mills, outlined how the company is working to reduce pollution incidents, manage storm overflows and improve resilience across the wastewater network.

The committee also welcomed Martin Hurst, Chair of the Independent Climate & Environment Challenge Group (ICECG), who explained how the group provides independent challenge on environmental performance, with an increasing focus on public health and nature based solutions. Members scrutinised the Camber Sands pollution incident, emphasising the importance of clear learning, transparency and continued progress to help rebuild trust with customers and local communities.

We apologise for some sound issues during the committee introductions. You can find full details of all committee members in the ‘Members’ section on this page.

12 January 2026 - Holding our Board and Shareholders to account
Watch the meeting
Read the minutes

25 November 2025 – Customer Service
Watch the meeting
Read the minutes

15 August 2025 – Holding our CEO to account
Watch the meeting
Read the minutes

 

  • 15 June 2026 – Reputation deep dive including impact of campaigns and how we engage with stakeholders and customer engagement
  • 4th August 2026 - Update from CEO, Lawrence Gosden, followed by future water resources
  • 24 November 2026 - Customer Vulnerability, followed by regulatory planning

Please note that future agenda topics may change. 

Contact Us

If you would like to get in touch with the Independent Customer Scrutiny Committee, please fill in this simple form.  

Independent Customer Scrutiny Committee