Water bills hike 'will close churches' and hit Scouts
CHURCHES and Scout groups could be "crippled" by controversial new drainage charges from Severn Trent Water.
Water bills are expected to soar because of rule changes being enforced by regulator Ofwat.
The Rev Derek Hollis, rural adviser to the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, said it would force some churches to close.
"They will be crippled with the high bills," he said. "We are hoping we can do something to reverse it."
"We are basically being asked to pay for what falls out of the sky."
Every landowner is charged if they use public sewers to drain rainwater off their property.
Drainage is currently charged depending on the rateable value of properties, with exemptions for churches, schools and voluntary groups.
Ofwat wants to bring in a "fairer" system, which would be calculated on the area occupied by a property rather than its value – with no exemptions.
Properties with a large amount of roof space or car parks and playgrounds – will face much higher fees.
The Rt Rev George Cassidy, Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, said: "There is a limit to the cost that a small congregation can bear. For some, a ten-fold increase in water drainage charges might be the last straw that leads to closure."
Some Scout groups say they could be paying rates as high as supermarkets.
"It is ludicrous," said Matt Rooney, deputy county commissioner for Notts Scouts.
"Those companies bring in millions of pounds and our groups rely on member fees and volunteers to run."
The 5th Carlton Scouts would struggle under the new scheme.
Leader Steve Baker said they could need another £400 a year from membership fees to make ends meet.
In areas of the UK where the scheme has been introduced, water bills have rocketed from £80 to £800 and more.
Thousands of protesters have signed a petition against the charges on the Downing Street website.
Stonebridge City Farm in St Ann's is also likely to be hit hard.
Manager Mark Barry said: "It is going to force us to think about the services we provide."
MPS are urgently calling for a review.
Sherwood MP Paddy Tipping said: "This is something that has real consequences for lots of different groups of people. Ministers are talking to the regulator and to water companies to see what can be done."
Severn Trent Water admits customers could see a "significant" hike in their bills. It claims the only way to resolve the issue is for a law change allowing it to maintain the current exemptions from drainage charges.
A spokeswoman said: "We are concerned about how the change will affect our customers and this is why we intend to phase the new charge in over a number of years."
An Ofwat spokeswoman said: "Using an approach based on surface area means larger premises might see an increase, but smaller premises could see bills reducing."
marcus.boocock@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
11 Comments
View all
by Bill, Keyworth
Thursday, February 05 2009, 11:25AM
“Could someone tell me who elected Ofwat? Yet another group of highly paid official with their snouts in the trough of the general public's hard earned cash to help water companies that want more profit and less effort getting it.”
by cat the expat, NC USA
Thursday, February 05 2009, 2:23AM
“Why is water so expensive in the UK
Here in the US we pay just $9.30 a month minimum charge & rarely pay more.
We used to live in UK but left because of all the high prices!!!”
by steve, bulwell
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 8:02PM
“Institutions such as the church and the scouts are some of the last remaining institutions that are still around and able to provide moral guidance in a society that is becoming less and less aware of the importance of moral guidance. I can understand the need for a company to make a profit, but the cost cannot be calculated by the balance sheet alone.”
by Andyman, Derbys
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 6:15PM
“Yet another tax on the consumer, business, and general public, yet Government let them get away with it, so much for Labour being for the working man.
Where does all the stormwater go? yes to the reservoirs for processing and resale back to the end user. Considering that most other industries have to buy raw materials to produce their product, it is only fair that we sell storm water to Severn Trent.”
by andy, lace market
Wednesday, February 04 2009, 1:45PM
“Lets have an oxygen tax too. Unhealthy, fat people use up more oxygen than healthy people cos they're always puffing and panting. To balance it out we can give rebates to people with only one lung.”