First drips of success for Scouts campaign to stop the rain tax - 25-01-2009
Thousands of Scout Groups, charities, amateur sports clubs and churches are breathing a sigh of relief today after United Utilities announced a partial moratorium on its controversial plans to hike their water bills by as much as 4,000%.
The Scout Association has been leading the campaign to stop the new charges, which would have threatened the existence of some our communities’ most valuable local institutions. In the areas affected the charges would have seen the average membership fee have to rise by up to 20%, at least £5 for everyone from the youngest Beaver Scout to the oldest Scout Leader.
United Utilities had planned to change the way they charge non-domestic customers, including Scout Groups, for the disposal of rainwater which runs into sewers from their buildings. In the past charities such as the Scouts, faith buildings and amateur sports clubs had not been charged. This would have hit organisations which need covered space for exciting activities particularly hard.
United Utilities, OFWAT and the Consumer Council for Water have now agreed to freeze charges at this year’s rate and not to phase in new charges until a longer term solution can be found. It is now hoped other water companies will follow suit.
The looming charges had threatened disaster for Scout Groups as they would have absorbed between 10 and 25% of their total annual incomes - meaning many would have had seriously reduce the activities they can offer to young people.
Stella Creasy, spokesperson for The Scout Association said, ‘We are delighted that United Utilities have agreed to suspend these charges until a fair solution can be found for charities, faith organisations and amateur sports clubs. We are asking other Water utilities to follow suit and to press OFWAT for a social tariff for Community Groups.
‘The Scout Association lead the campaign against this unfair rise as it would have crippled our ability to work with young people and meant fewer camping weekends, fewer outdoor projects or having to limit the numbers of young people who can attend our most adventurous activities such as canoeing, abseiling and scuba diving.
‘No policy that reduces the amount of activity young people can take part in can possibly be right so we are delighted that OFWAT and the water companies are back tracking. We hope and expect all water companies will bear this decision in mind when considering their charging structures in future. ‘
A spokesman for United Utilities said, ‘We have been listening to concerns of some groups and are looking for ways of minimising the impact on organisations which have seen large water bill increases - particularly faith buildings, community amateur sports clubs and Guide and Scout buildings.’
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