David Amess MP lends support to the Scouts and the ‘Stop the Raintax’ Campaign
David Amess, Member of Parliament for Southend West, attended the All Party Parliamentary Scout Group yesterday, of which he is co-Chairman, to support the Scouts regarding the consequences of changes in water charging for Scout Groups.
Mr Amess commented: ‘Changes implemented by Ofwat have resulted in Scout Groups facing massive increases in their water bills for surface water drainage. Whilst a temporary moratorium have been granted in certain areas, a long-term solution has still to be found, with Ofwat refusing to meaningfully engage in the issue and acknowledge the scale of the problem. Heavy rainfall will have severe financial consequences for local Scout Groups and I strongly support the Scouts in their efforts to find a solution to this problem. I was able to raise this matter in the House on 2nd April and will continue to campaign on this very important issue.’
A copy of Mr Amess’ remarks on 2nd April and the minister’s response is given below.
The attached picture is of Mr Amess meeting with local Scouts outside the Palace of Westminster.
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Surface Water Charges
4. Mr. David Amess (Southend, West) (Con): What progress he has made in his consideration of options for mitigating the effects on water customers of increases in surface water charges. [268327]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Huw Irranca-Davies): I am pleased to report that United Utilities, about which most of the complaints on this issue have arisen, has in light of representations received taken steps to resolve the problem of disproportionate increases for faith buildings, community amateur sports clubs, scout
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associations and so on, by reverting to charges based on 2007-08 for those customers—that is, back to rateable value.
Mr. Amess: I am sort of reassured. I have the honour of being joint chairman of the all-party Scout Association group, and the information that the Scouts have given me is a little different from what the Minister has said. They and other charities have clearly made the point that surface water charges in such difficult economic times have damaging effects on voluntary organisations. They have also brought it to my attention that Ofwat has refused to meet the water companies. They are worried that, next year, when the moratorium is lifted, the charges will be crippling because they will be treated the same as multinational companies.
Huw Irranca-Davies: I should declare an interest as the former president of the West Glamorgan Scout Association. We are not out of the woods yet— [Interruption.] I am sorry; that was not a deliberate pun. The principle of surface water charging, whereby a proportionate element is charged to everyone for discharging water is right; otherwise we would have cross-subsidies and would have to get into the question of which organisations should be exempt. Four companies have introduced surface water charging, which, by and large, has been well received because they dealt with it sensitively. Lessons have been learned and the regulator has been fully involved, but we need to keep a close eye on the matter. The regulatory principles and the need to deal sensitively with all community associations are clear. I will personally ensure that that happens and so will the regulator. I encourage any hon. Member of any party who is currently experiencing problems to take the matter first to the water companies, and by all means to bring it to me as well.