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Lord calls for charity exemption to water charges

Finance | Vibeka Mair | 24 Mar 2009

A call in the House of Lords for churches, charities and sports club to be given special consideration on newly increased water charges has been given a cautious welcome by DontDrainUs.org, an action group an action group that convened last year to fight extra charges on water bills. 

The new charge, which sees water companies bill non-domestic properties for surface water drainage based on the size of their site area instead of the rateable value of the property means churches, charities and clubs, which often have a zero rateable value, now face extra charges on their water bills.

In a House of Lords debate on debt last week, Lord Davies of Oldham said churches, charities and sports clubs deserve special consideration and that the issues of making a separate arrangement for them were being looked into to.

'Glimmer of hope'

Martin Dales, a member of the Church of England and founder of DontDrainUs.org, told Charity News Alert that it was a “glimmer of hope” but said he was cagey about being positive without a concrete timetable or plan of action.

“I have asked Hilary Benn, the secretary of state, for a meeting to discuss action on the matter and am awaiting a reply,” Dales said.

Previous correspondence with Benn, however, has proved fruitless. Dales wrote to Benn about the issue in February, but complained that his reply was “all words and no action”.

Benn told Dales that “something was clearly wrong if faith buildings, amateur sports clubs and scout groups were facing hikes in their bills of several hundred per cent”, but advised him to take the issue up directly with the water companies

Dales’ petition against the charges is the most popular on the Downing Street site, with more than 41,000 signatures. On 7 April, the day after it expires, it will be presented to the prime minister.

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