A Stream Steering Group was convened on 2026-09-10. 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.
Meeting Aims
- Summarise and endorse Q4 outcomes alongside members expectations
- Endorse the transition process and timeframe
Summary:
- It was agreed that:
- consensus will be used as the decision threshold for the transition decisions, with general agreement and minor reservations permitted, awaiting final endorsement from members.
- a concise value proposition based on the discussion should be developed for members to use in internal conversations.
- ‘Esri AI’ tool recommendation is to not enable the tool at this stage, based on member AI-policy considerations, uncertain future pricing and the balance of benefits and risks.
- the proposal to move to managed WordPress and Hotjar had support across all forums.
- It was noted that:
- AG1 has begun discussion on what “value” means for Stream and the future direction of use case work, with further development planned through Open October.
- Q4 outcomes include readiness for the 2027 engagement strategy, iteration of the data-sharing governance framework, technical readiness for the new website, and transition planning.
- new website work will start in Q4, with launch hoped for in Q1 2027.
- existing collaboration agreements end in August 2028, requiring a transition to an enduring arrangement before then.
- next Steering Group is on 27 October, with the transition-options decision proposed for 1 December.
- It was discussed that:
- member input for completing Q3 projects may be greater than estimated, and that delivery is subject to external dependencies.
- executive sponsor involvement at Open October is important to ensure that the 2027 strategy is deliverable and appropriately resourced.
- members should identify the appropriate internal procurement, finance and senior stakeholders early, to avoid blockers to the transition process.
- a transition working group is proposed to evaluate options and make a recommendation to the Steering Group, with volunteers sought from member organisations.
- Stream was described as “supporting consistent open-data practice, common standards, usable metadata and licensing, national coverage, and collaboration across the sector”.
Next meeting: Tuesday 27 October 10:00-12:00 BST
Formal records, including attendees, are maintained by the secretariat.
These are confidential to the Steering Group Members.