A FORMER Warrington MP has expressed concern over proposed changes in the way drainage is charged for which could result in big increases for churches, charities and voluntary organisations.
Mike Hall, who was formerly MP for Warrington South and also leader of the borough council, but who is now MP 
for neighbouring Weaver Vale, claims some organisations could have to pay substantially more in water charges.
He said: “United Utilities have decided to change the way they charge for highway and surface water drainage. Customers previously paid for this service on the basis of the rateable value of their premises.
“They are now being charged on the size of the area of land they own.
“This means that organisations such as places of worship and charities who have enjoyed reductions in the Rateable Value and received discounted water bills now face steep increases in their water charges.
Sporting Clubs have also been very heavily hit by this change in policy.”
Mr Hall said United Utilities justified the change in policy on the grounds that it had been approved by OFWAT and they could not offer different charges to customers for the same service.
He added: “I appreciate that United Utilities and OFWAT have announced a moratorium on these charges as they apply to places of worhsip, sports clubs and guide and scout facilities.
“However I am very concerned that at the end of the moratorium we will still have in place the policy of charging these organisations for highway and surface water drainage based on the area of land they own.
“What is needed from the review that is taking place is a policy that recognises these organisations have received discounts on their water bills because of the service they provide for their communities. Every pound extra spent by places of worship, sports clubs and the scouts and guides is a pound less they can spend on the services they provide the community.
“These organisations are not commercial organisations, they have limited and finite resources. Simply altering the implementation date of the highway and surface water drainage area charging scheme is not the solution.
“Likewise, United Utilities stating the change in policy is revenue neutral does not offer any comfort for those organisations having to pay substantially more. In any event United Utilities have not been able to produce the figures that show the change in policy to be revenue neutral.”
