 Deputy
Minister for the Environment and local MSP, Allan Wilson, has expressed his
sympathy for Cumbrae businesses faced with steep increases in their water
charges as a consequence of the introduction of harmonised charging across
Scotland.
After meeting with Mr Bill Anderson, Chief Executive of the Forum of Private
Businesses, in Edinburgh, Mr Wilson said, “Ministers share the concerns of
business on Cumbrae and elsewhere over the way in which this year’s
increases in water charges were implemented. I have made clear to the
company that consultation and communication with customers must be much
improved in future”.
“However customers should pay a fair share of the cost of providing the
service. Those business customers who face the biggest percentage increases
were paying considerably less than the lowest paid band “A” householder paid
in domestic charges,” said Mr Wilson.
“By statute, I cannot interfere in the process of setting individual
charges. It is for Scottish Water and the Water Industry Commissioner to
agree a scheme of charges which they believe gives a fair and equitable
balance between groups of customers”.
“While I sympathise with businesses having problems paying, I cannot condone
non-payment. For every customer that does not pay, others must pay more”.
“Non-payment adds approximately £12 a year to every customers bill already
and it is irresponsible in the extreme for Messrs Martin and Hill of the SNP
to be encouraging businesses on Cumbrae not to pay their bills. As well as
forcing up the bills of everyone else it could lead to disconnection for the
business premises concerned”.
“Scottish Water will help businesses who have difficulty in meeting their
charges to reschedule the debt over a longer period to reduce payments and
also offer to downsize water meters where they are larger than a business
needs.
I understand that Mr McInally of the company has offered to discuss the
matter with the businesses concerned and I would urge them to take up that
offer,” said Mr Wilson. |
