2025 ERA External Regulatory Assurance (2025 0191- WS3202969892)

Description

Lot 1 – Technical Assurance . Engineering design and technical scope . Optioneering and option-selection processes . Alignment between need, scope, solution and outcomes . Deliverability and programme milestones . Asset-management evidence and decision-making . Risk registers and technical risk assessments . Scope changes and change-control processes . Data lineage, data quality and evidence trails . Consistency with PR24 submissions, previous regulatory submissions and agreed assumptions . Environmental, statutory and regulatory drivers . Dependencies between schemes, programmes and strategic plans . The completeness, accuracy and robustness of technical evidence used to support Board and regulatory submissions Lot 2 – Cost & Efficiency Assurance . Cost-estimating methodologies . Unit rates and cost build-up assumptions . Comparative cost assessment and benchmarking including a range of econometric techniques . Cost drivers and explanatory factors . Risk, uncertainty and optimism-bias allowances . Scope-cost alignment . Allocation between base and enhancement expenditure . Cost escalation and inflation assumptions . Change control and change-control processes . Including, but not limited to checking Stata code and excel packages . Material movements from PR24 assumptions or other established benchmarks . Evidence quality and auditability . Consistency between costs, identified needs, benefits and expected outcomes Lot 3 – Financial Assurance . PR29 financial data tables and associated working papers . Anglian’s use of Ofwat’s financial model . Feeder models used to populate Ofwat’s financial model . Financial model controls, including version control, formula integrity, change control, access control, input checks and output reconciliations . Documented processes for preparing, reviewing, approving and submitting financial information . Data lineage from source systems, working papers and feeder models through to final submission tables . Consistency between financial data tables, the financial model, business plan narrative, Board papers and assurance statements . Financial assumptions, including inflation, interest rates, dividend assumptions, gearing, PAYG, RCV run-off and other relevant financial parameters . Financeability assessments using both actual and notional capital structures . Calculation and presentation of relevant financial ratios . Economic and company-specific scenarios, including the treatment of the CPI/RPI wedge where relevant . Sensitivity testing and downside scenarios . Evidence supporting key assumptions and judgements . The adequacy of commentary explaining material movements, uncertainty, judgement and links to the wider plan