Lesley Griffiths, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
I have today laid before the Assembly, our intergovernmental water protocol for Wales and England (external link), following joint working and development with Defra and the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales. The protocol, laid also in Parliament is made under section 50 of the Wales Act 2017.
The joint protocol reaffirms the close working between our two administrations on essential matters of water resources, water supply and water quality. It underlines our commitment that no action or inaction of either administration should have any serious adverse impact on either Wales or England respectively and crucially, customers on both sides of our borders are safeguarded.
The Rt Hon Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales, is now preparing a Commencement Order to repeal the existing intervention powers on water.
These changes are due to take effect on 1 April 2018.