Issue - meetings

The Chair, Councillor Sayers to update the Committee.

In relation to Minute No. 42, OFWAT – Increase in Surface Water Charges, the Energy & Environmental Management Officer, Mr. Jon Williams updated the Committee on the progress made in relation to securing a reduction to drainage of surface water to Schools.

Mr Williams reported that the Chair of the Committee, Councillor Sayers and Councillor Weavers had met with a Member from Halton Council and representatives from United Utilities some time ago.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the cost for the drainage of surface water to schools and more specifically the comparison of the charges imposed on North West Schools to that of Schools in the South East.

It was reported that United Utilities had agreed a 50% reduction for Schools across the North West that equated to £15 million across the North West.  Mr Williams stated that whilst the reduction was an excellent outcome, schools, governors and the Forums from across the North West had expressed concerns that the North West would still be more expensive than other regions. The sentiment from the wider campaign group was that United Utilities should still address this.

It was therefore requested that Officers be authorised to continue to work with United Utilities to explore a fairer solution that achieved parity in the North West when compared to the South East in terms of surface water drainage charges to Schools. 

Members of the Committee paid tribute to the hard work and determination of Officers in working with United Utilities to secure a reduction in surface water drainage charges, in the first instance to Parks and Cemeteries and more recently to Schools.

Members of the Committee requested that United Utilities and Water Charges remain of the Committees programme of work in order that the Committee receives annual updates, at the very least.

RESOLVED:           That:

(1)      Officers be thanked for their hard work and determination, in working with United Utilities to secure a reduction in surface water drainage charges, in the first instance to Parks and Cemeteries and more recently to Schools;

(2)      the item “United Utilities – Update on Surface Water Charges” remain on the programme of work for the Committee;

(3)      Officers be requested (via a letter from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Regeneration and Skills) to explore a fairer solution with United Utilities in seeking further reductions to Schools for surface water drainage charges; and

(4)       Written responses to be sent to DEFRA and OFWAT informing them that United Utilities solution whilst is welcome, not a fair solution and to express disappointment that community assets such as Parks, Cemeteries & Schools are still not recognised in the Concessionary scheme and that there is unease that United Utilities could retract its policies at any point.