Scottish Water

[Evelyn Rose]

Hi all

I am tearing my hair out here! I am having a real battle with Scottish Water. Problem is that they base their water rates on the Rateable Value of business premises at March 2000 - before we moved into these premises. The RV came down by almost £3000 but Scottish Water still charge us on the old RV meaning that we are overcharged every year. This year we are digging our heels in and trying to persuade Scottish Water to treat their customers fairly. I spoke to the Scottish Water Commissioners but they were not much help. A complaints officer at their office explained the way that system works. The rates are based on the Rateable Value of the premises at March 2000. Since March 2000 rates on business premises have changed - some have gone up and other down. They have a certain amount of revenue to raise in a year and it really does not concern them where that money comes from so long as it comes in. Some people gain and others lose out. I asked if what he was saying was "Tough" and he agreed that that was right.

Has anyone else out there had a run in with Scottish Water? It would be good to compare notes.

Evelyn

[Alpha]

If you was in England or wales you would be able to complain to Ofwat.

Not sure if there is a similar regulatory body in Scotland but try doing a search on the internet which may pull up something.

If they are regulated they may even have the details on the literature that they send out.

[Evelyn Rose]

In Scotland we have the Water Commissioners but they were absolutely no help. I have been in touch with the local MSP but I really feel we are getting nowhere. It just seems that they are quite happy to undercharge some customers at the expense of others. Now if we started charging our customers like that I'm sure that there would be a riot! Makes me mad :x

[Alpha]

You could always try approaching your local newspaper and see if you can get them to do an article on it. I'm sure Scottish water would enjoy the publicity. Maybe even canvass other local businesses to see if they have been unfairly treated as well. The more of you there are the louder the voice.

[Evelyn Rose]

Thanks Alan

I have been in touch with FSB and I am waiting for them to come back to me. I'm sure that there must be other businesses being overcharged and I thought if a few of us got together we might just get somewhere. Meantime I'll just keep digging my heels in :D

Evelyn

[daveashton]

Hi

Sorry Ozzy but there is a scottish forum which you would probably get some help on.


www.businessbuzz.org

This forum is v good but that is for Scottish companies only.

[Ozzy]

Don't apologise! I'm sure that forum would be a great help in drumming up some Scottish support for Evelyn.

[Evelyn Rose]

Thanks for all the help. Crazy thing is everyone I speak to at Scottish Water etc agrees - on a personal level - that what I am saying is correct and they too would be unhappy if they were in my shoes. But.. try to get them to do something to change the system..!! Will put a post on the Scottish forum and see what response I get. Bye for now!

Evelyn :wink:

[lyndsey]

Hi Evelyn

Scottish Water are a nightmare of a company. They dont actually bother about their customers.

Have you tried to Scottish Ombudsman?


Lyndsey

[Evelyn Rose]

Thanks Lyndsey

I was in touch with the Water Customer Consultation Panel when I received the bill for the water rates but they just referred me to the Water Commissioners. I'll contact them again today and see if they can help.

Sent an email to Jack McConnell at the weekend. Do you think I'll get a reply??!!

Evelyn

[lyndsey]

You will not get a response from Jack McConnell unless he is the MSP for your area. Parliamentary rules stipulate that you can only act on behalf of a constituent.

I hope you manage to get a response from the Water Commissioner.


Lyndsey

[Evelyn Rose]

Hi Lyndsey -

Yes your right - the email has been sent to the First Minister's office for a reply. I have been in touch with Water Customer Consultation Panel this morning who said I should contact my MSP. I had been in touch with her previously and, according to Lewis Macdonald (Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development) "The detail of charges for individual businesses is generally an operational matter for Scottish Water" Of course I now know that Scottish Water says it's out of their hands - the Scottish Executive set the rules. The words "passing" and "buck" come to mind. Have you had dealings yourself with Scottish Water?

Evelyn

[lyndsey]

Evelyn

I worked for an MSP and dealt with a constituent having problems with them - for 3 years!!


Lyndsey

[Evelyn Rose]

Hi Lyndsey

3 YEARS!! Give me strength! It's OK -- I don't give in easily.

Evelyn

[visagephoto]

Reminds me of a story in the local press a few years ago (not really concerning this issue) regarding a woman who was a licensed street trader selling fruit from a barrow outside Easterhouse shopping centre.

One day she received a hefty bill for water rates, which she refused to pay on the grounds that her barrow didn't have a fixed water supply, however when questioned she admitted that she used the public conveniences inside the shopping centre, Scottish water then insisted that was proof that she was using their water supply for business purposes and was therefore liable to pay water rates bill.

After a lengthy dispute I'm sure Scottish water won their case and the street trader had to pay up.


P.S. don't tell them I work from home or the swines will be at the door!