More charities to benefit from water charges exemption
More Scottish charities and sports clubs will be able to benefit from an exemption from water and sewerage charges under a new scheme that comes into effect on 1 April.
Replacing a scheme that ends in March, the new Scottish Government scheme will mean that charities registered with the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and community amateur sports clubs, which meet the scheme requirements and which have an income of less than £200,000, will no longer need to pay water and sewerage charges – and those with incomes between £200,000 and £300,000 will pay a reduced rate.
Applications are now open to join the scheme, which will cost an estimated £6.5m, £4.5m from Scottish Water and the remainder from the Scottish Government.
Beneficiaries of the current scheme will be automatically enrolled in the new scheme. Charities and community amateur sports clubs which are currently responsible for paying water and/or sewerage charges but who may be eligible for exemption, have until March 2016 to apply for relief in relation to their 2015-16 bills.
Further information on the new Scheme and the transitional measures for those that have benefited from the Scheme that ends on the 31 March 2015 are available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/waterindustryscot/watercharges
Alternatively charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs can contact their Licensed Provider.
Infrastructure Secretary Keith Brown said:
“Charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs make an important contribution to the well-being of communities up and down Scotland. It is important that they are supported.
“The new water and waste charges exemption scheme means eligible charities with an income of less than £200,000 will no longer have to pay anything – meaning more of their money can be used to support the valuable services that they provide. This replaces the current Scheme that everyone agrees is out-dated.
“Applications can be submitted from today and I’d encourage all charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs to check their eligibility and apply as soon as possible. For those organisations in the current scheme, please note that you do not need to apply. You are automatically enrolled.
If today’s your first day back at your desk, make it your first task to see if your organisation can save some money.”
Notes To Editors
The old scheme ceases on 31 March 2015 and this new scheme replaces it. Under the transitional arrangements, those organisations that are already beneficiaries of the current arrangements will be exempt from charges in 2015-16 and do not need to apply to receive support during 2015-16. In the coming months licensed providers will contact their existing beneficiaries to advise them what they need to do for 2016-17.
Charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs that are currently paying for water services should check whether they are eligible for the new scheme and submit an application as soon as possible.