Give your feedback on the BP27 planning principles

Trust

Engagement so far reveals a range of Customer opinion as to the timing and need for an up-to-date independently led Efficiency Review. The last such exercise was carried out on the 2022-23 cost base; however, scope has since been added to the list of CDSP services.

BP26 includes a matrix that shows how we believe Value for Money can be articulated across the items of scope that have been added since the last Review.

Additionally, the proposed changes to S&O described in BP26, and each Investment Proposal, have been assessed using our standardised Cost/Benefit Analysis methodology.

Q1. We would like to understand your opinion as to whether we should:

"a) Use the BP25 General Change budget to fund an updated version of the 2023 Review that would include all scope added to S&O since 2023 (BP23, BP24, BP25);"

OR

"b) Incorporate an additional budget item in BP26 to fund a review ahead of BP27;"

OR

"c) Retrospectively apply the Cost/Benefit Analysis methodology to S&O cost increases for scope items that came into effect during BP23, BP24 and BP25"

Q2. Is there anything that can be added, changed, removed or elaborated upon in BP26 to increase your trust in Xoserve?

Innovate

We are currently evaluating how facilitative AI could improve internal processes or significantly enhance Customers’ experience when interacting with Xoserve.

A CDSP AI strategy is being developed to guide our responsible approach to AI, ensuring its application is outcome-driven and secure.

Recent Code reform consultations and feedback on the Preliminary Strategic Direction Statement (PSDS) have led Ofgem to request input from Central System Delivery Bodies regarding the gas market’s transition from a Code Administrator to a Code Manager model.

BP26 includes continued provision for Xoserve to participate in the cross-Code working group and the GNC working group. As the CDSP, we plan to review aspects of our governance structure and propose minor amendments to align with the proposed Code Manager operating model. We anticipate further discussions around optimal data services contract (DSC) governance, performance assurance alignment, and subcontracting arrangements.

Question 1:

"Thinking about the trade-off between innovation and risk, how would you like to see Xoserve use Artificial Intelligence to develop new/enhance existing CDSP services?"

Question 2:

"In your opinion, what are the most important trends, policies and industry developments that we should consider during the BP26 development cycle?"

Deliver

In the CDSP Service Enhancement Programme, we will ask Customers to incrementally approve work packages of enhancements to existing services. These could be either ‘technical’ or ‘contractual’.

Q: In your opinion, what would be the best approach to the governance of this programme?:

"a) Use existing DSC committees, asking the relevant group the relevant questions;"

OR

"b) Choose either Change Management Committee or Contract Management Committee as ‘decision-maker’;"

OR

"c) Have a combined ‘sub-group’ of CoMC and ChMC representatives to bring the required Customer expertise together to make decisions;"

OR

"d) Something else (please specify)"

Trust

The development of the CDSP Business Plan for 2026-29 (BP26) will be based on interactive engagement with Customers. We know that building trust relies on repeated transparency, and so information in BP26 will be presented with compliance against the Business Plan Information Rules (BPIR) as its bedrock, and with articulation of value at its core.

Question 1:

"Do you support the sharing of BP26 content relating to the BPIR categories ‘Current Performance’ and ‘Outputs’ digitally rather than statically in the BP26 PDF documentation?"

Question 2:

"Do you think there are any other BPIR categories that we should explore in following this approach?"

Question 3:

"Is there anything that didn’t feature in BP25 that you would like to see included in BP26?"

Innovate

Delivering VfM requires continued innovation. We aim to identify and act on opportunities to make CDSP Services, both current and future, more efficient and effective. The list of proposed investments in BP26 will enable a joined-up approach to maintaining and modernising critical IT platforms, developing our use of Artificial Intelligence, independently assessing VfM and collaborating with Customers to ensure our systems and processes remain compliant with industry and deliver outcomes that align with Customer and Stakeholder priorities

Question 1:

"Do you support investment in BP26 to fund an independent VfM Review ahead of BP27?"

Question 2:

"Are there any proposed investment areas that you feel are / are not priorities for BP26?"

Question 3:

"Are there any other areas that you feel we should be focusing on?"

Deliver

As our most valuable resource, our people, will develop and deliver the scope of BP26 by leveraging their understanding and knowledge of the GB Gas Market and central systems and processes, collaborating with Customers via excellent engagement, and enabling access to the critical data services that our Customers rely upon.

Question 1:

"Are there any other ways you would like us to engage with you during the development of BP26 that have not been set out in this document? If so, please specify."

Consultation

BP27

Q1. We would like to understand your opinion as to whether we should:

OR

OR

Q2. Is there anything that can be added, changed, removed or elaborated upon in BP26 to increase your trust in Xoserve?

Question 1:

Question 2:

Q: In your opinion, what would be the best approach to the governance of this programme?:

OR

OR

OR

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

Question 1:

Customer Responses - Draft 1

Customer Responses

Q&A Log - Customer consultation comments and Xoserve responses

You Said / We Did