|
Independent Methodist Churches |
|
Serving, Encouraging, Motivating, Resourcing |
![Text Box: Surface water drainage: update
At the Labour Party Conference today, 28 September, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced that the Government will legislate to allow water companies to introduce a social tariff in their areas – thereby bypassing Ofwat. The Press Office quotes him as follows:
Some churches, sports clubs and youth groups have been hit by huge increases in their water bills for surface drainage. It isn’t right. So I can tell you today that we will legislate to allow water companies to run concessionary schemes for these organisations so they can get on with the great job they are doing instead of worrying about unaffordable bills.
Presumably this will be done through the Flood and Water Management Bill which is currently in draft and which (we assume) will be taken through Parliament in the forthcoming Session.
The announcement has been welcomed by the Church of England and will no doubt be greeted with relief by all our members. General Synod member Martin Dales, who has been very active in the DontDrainUs campaign, called the announcement ‘very good news’ and said that Synod looked forward to the implementation of what had been promised. So do we – and we will be following developments closely and continuing to work with other groups in the sector to ensure that any schemes that are introduced are fairly implemented.
[Source: CLAS – 28 September 2009]](ADMINSECPAGE_files/image011.gif)
|
Churches and VAT - A VAT Guide for Churches The Churches’ Legislation Advisory Service have produced a VAT Guide for Churches. Please use the link below to download the information. |