Church water bills increased - charity status ignored

Pinklady_3

Water companies are changing their charging structures to charge religious premises such as churches as if they are businesses rather than charities for their water. This could lead to hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of increases for churches which many simply cannot afford. There is a government petition to stop this. Please sign it via the link below.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ChurchWaterBills/

ahai1

Can you give more information please?

Pinklady_3

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7271402.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/7386647.stm

going2die_rich

Churches are businesses though. They hold on to some of the best land in the world and have huge wealth to generate more money to get more customers. Just like companies advertise for customers, priests etc try and brain wash gullible people in to joining their cult.

They should be treated the same just like everyone else. So just pay up or go bust and close down!

Pinklady_3

A lot of churches in less well off areas struggle to survive, especially those with small or elderly congregations. They rely on income from weddings etc and donations. There are a lot of people who seem to think that they are owed something from the church, the same type of people who go to church for a few weeks before having their baby christened or getting married and then never go again. Churches are taken for granted by a lot of people and if they did go bust and close down as you suggest these are the same people who would be quick to complain that there is nowhere close to have their baby christened or to have in their wedding photos.
But, I didn't post this with the intent of starting a thread on people's religious views. If you would like to sign the petition please do, if not, don't.

tehone

Pinklady wrote: »

Water companies are changing their charging structures to charge religious premises such as churches as if they are businesses rather than charities for their water. This could lead to hundreds or thousands of pounds worth of increases for churches which many simply cannot afford. There is a government petition to stop this. Please sign it via the link below.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ChurchWaterBills/

You've missed the equally vital bit of information which is that from 2010 that some charities will also lose their exemption not just churches - that might sway some peoples opinions (either way)

ahai1

I have read the article and it seems fair that everyone pays fully for the water they use. I have no track with the excauses that churches and charities come up with. They should pay fully like everyone else.

Pinklady_3

ahai1 wrote: »

I have read the article and it seems fair that everyone pays fully for the water they use. I have no track with the excauses that churches and charities come up with. They should pay fully like everyone else.

The problem is not how much water these churches and charities use, the charges relate to the surface water drain off, so they are charged for the amount of rainwater which falls on their premises and is taken away via the sewerage system. So the churches and charities have no control over this.

ahai1

I was watching this on working lunch and it seems fair to me. I was confused with the rates but now I fully understand.

nigelbrooks

21,000 places of worship will be affected (all denominations)
10,000+ village and community halls
9,000 scout huts.

None of these are 'commercial' enterprises so why should they subsidise major retailers and industrial parks.

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION.

esuhl

Why should a private water company subsidise religion? If people want land set aside so they can visit priests, wizards or fortune tellers, then surely that's their own private business.

I bet if I bought some land and built a big building to host swingers' parties in, then I would (quite reasonably) be expected to arrange payment for the upkeep and required services.

If there are services being offered that are useful to the community then it is the government's job (not the water company's) to step in with tax relief and/or subsidies.