11th
March 2008
McNeil Fights Water Rate
Threat to Local Churches
MSP
for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is calling on the Scottish
Government to lift the threat of crippling water rates from local churches and
voluntary groups.
Mr
McNeil said that the future of the water rates exemption scheme, which exempts
charities, churches and local organisations from paying water rates, had been
put into doubt following Ministers’ consultation on the issue.
The scheme was originally
introduced by the previous Scottish Executive and aimed to remove the burden of
water charges on local charities, churches and organisations.
In an official response to
the consultation, Mr McNeil and his colleagues in Holyrood’s Labour Group are
arguing for the scheme’s continuance. He
said:
“The government needs to
back the local organisations, charities and church groups who are making a real
difference across our community. They
need to remove the threat of these crippling water charges, which is hanging
over these groups’ heads and putting their future in doubt.
“In Greenock
alone, I have had representations from a number of churches who would struggle
to find the cash if they were forced to pay these rates.”
ENDS
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