WATER CHARGES FOR SCOUT GROUPS

That this House notes the enormous contribution scout groups and other voluntary organisations make in helping local communities; notes with dismay the water regulator Ofwat's decision to change the way water companies charge small charities and community groups for surface water run-off, and the impact that this will have on the financial future of organisations that rely on fund-raising and members' subscriptions for income, and are therefore particularly ill-placed to afford the huge increases in bills as a result; considers that this highlights the need to protect the ability of such organisations and the communities they serve to access water services; and therefore calls on Ofwat to support the Scout Association's call for a social tariff regime for community and voluntary groups by enabling such a pricing system to be used by water companies.