Gordon's Delight At End To Excess Water Charges
Gordon has shown his delight at the announcement last week that voluntary organisations will now be protected against excessive rises in their water charges. This follows the significant lobbying he had done on this issue earlier in the year alongside local voluntary organisations.
Commenting on the issue, Gordon said "I was delighted that at the Labour Party conference this week, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced that water companies will now be given permanent powers to set up concessionary schemes to protect groups such as churches scout groups and other voluntary organisation from facing large increases in charges for surface water drainage."
"Together with local voluntary organisations I have been challenging our local water supplier United Utilities and the water regulator OFWAT to alter their charging structure so that voluntary organisations in Blackpool are not hit with unfair and unaffordable increases. After meeting the Water Minister Huw Irranca-Davis and highlighting these problems I was encouraged at his success in getting a temporary freeze on those from United Utilities. I am very happy that this move should now produce a permanent solution to the problem."
The announcement of these changes can be seen on the DEFRA website, which you can view by clicking this link
