A Stream Steering Group was convened on 2026-03-10. The Steering Group comprises experts that represent [Stream] water companies, regulators, research, innovation bodies and government. Co-chaired by Icebreaker One and NWL, the group’s primary function is to help provide leadership and market signalling.
Date: Tuesday 10 March 2026 10:00-12:00 GMT
Location: online
Co-Chairs: Melissa Tallack (NWL); Gavin Starks (IB1)
Secretariat: IB1
Meeting Aims
- Sign off Q2 outcomes and priority use case
- Align on bids process criteria for incoming bids
Summary:
- It was agreed that:
- Q2 strategic business priorities include: (endorsed by members after this meeting)
- defining Stream’s 12‑month ambition and roadmap
- continuing development of the Change Champion network
- establishing a clearer process for supporting funding bids
- progressing the Open Data maturity assessment plan.
- The first prioritised Water Efficiency use case for this year will be Water Situation Reports.
- Q2 strategic business priorities include: (endorsed by members after this meeting)
- It was noted that:
- Co-ordination will be required with the Environment Agency for the water situation report (as the report is owned by the EA)
- Growing demand for Stream support on shared data use cases highlights the need for a clearer triage and prioritisation approach.
- Members and observers felt there were certain items that should be taken into consideration, such as scope clarification (open vs shared data), the importance of FOI/EIR alignment, and maintaining opt‑in/opt‑out flexibility.
- Energy sector learnings highlight the importance of common pattern libraries and Trust Frameworks to minimise cost and legal complexity.
- Cross‑sector use cases may present future opportunities and should be considered in long‑term design thinking.
- It was discussed that:
- The bids process requires refinement, including criteria such as value, repeatability, resource impact, technology implications, and avoiding parallel infrastructures.
- A scoring matrix for shared data use cases could include economic, social and environmental value, friction reduction, legal complexity, and organisational readiness.
- A Trust Framework model separating identity assurance from Scheme rules could lower future cost and improve cross‑sector interoperability.
- Sector legal engagement will be challenging but early use case examples could build confidence and reduce friction.
- Further knowledge‑sharing and workshops are needed to deepen understanding of Trust Frameworks and scheme governance.
Next meeting: Tuesday 21 April 2026 10:00-12:00 BST
Formal records, including attendees, are maintained by the secretariat.
These are confidential to the Steering Group Members.