Mike Hall MP

Labour Party | Weaver Vale

Stop Being Part Of The Problem – Start Being Part Of The Solution

13 May 2009

Mike Hall MP introduced a 10 Minute Rule Bill on the 12th May 2009 to exempt Places of Worship, Community Sports Clubs, Scout Groups and Guide Associations from paying surface area and highway charges.

United Utilities, with the backing of OFWAT has changed the way non-households pay for surface area and highway drainage. This change has meant that Places of Worship, Community Sports Clubs, Scout Groups and Guide Associations are now facing massive increases in their water bills.

Some of the organisations will see their bills rise from zero to £2,000 per annum.

Following a concerted one year campaign against the change in charging policy United Utilities have introduced a one year moratorium freezing charges at 2008/09 levels for Faith Buildings, Community Sports Clubs, Scouts and Guide Associations. However this moratorium is not so that a new policy on charging can be worked. It is so that the policy of surface area charging can be better explained to customers.

Mike Hall said:-

“A 12 month delay on implementing the changes to the way Places of Worship, Community Scout Groups and Guild Associations pay for surface water and highway drainage is not the answer.

“These organisations will face having to pay up to £2000 in water bills.

“For every £1 these organisations have to spend on increased water bills it is £1 less they have to spend on the valuable services they provide for their parishioners, communities and members.

“Many of these groups will not be able to afford their increased water bills and be forced to close.

“These groups want to return to the position they were in before United Utilities brought in surface area charging.

“The real problem is the OFWAT have demanded the changes in charging. They have ruled out schemes that exempt community and voluntary groups. They have ruled out cross subsidy and they have ruled out returning to the rateable value system we had previously.

“The difficulties now faced by Places of Worship, Community Sports Clubs, Scout and Guide Groups are a direct result of the actions of OFWAT.

“OFWAT need to act now to break the deadlock and put things right. They need to sop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution.

“Exempting Places of Worship, Community Sports Clubs, Scouts and Guide Groups from surface area and highway drainage charging is what is needed.

“I am therefore delighted that the House of Commons gave me permission to bring forward a Bill to achieve this exemption”.