Published: Monday, 28th April, 2008 16:30
Water pressure wins day
By Duncan McNeil
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VOLUNTARY and charitable organisa-tions are sometimes called ‘Cinderella services’ — and not because of their passion for ballroom dancing in dangerous footwear.
It’s because, despite delivering vital services and value for money, they can be taken for granted by their ugly Government sisters.
And times have become harder in recent months, with the Scottish Government’s harsh settlement for local government giving councils a smaller share of the Scottish budget than ever before.
As we know, voluntary sector groups are bearing the brunt of the resulting financial pressures.
Then, as if this wasn’t enough, the spectre of crippling water rates raised its head.
Under an agreement introduced by the previous Government, the voluntary and charitable sectors are exempt from water rates.
This is particularly important for churches, as they have large floor spaces, but use relatively little water.
This exemption, though, was put into doubt by ministers who began consulting on its future.
Together with colleagues, local churches and voluntary groups, therefore, I had been pressing for the scheme’s extension.
Perhaps due to this intervention, or perhaps intervention from a higher power, the Scottish Government saw sense.
And, ahead of a debate on a Labour motion regarding the difficulties facing the voluntary sector, ministers tabled an amendment conceding the exemption should be extended.
We’ll need to see the details, but there’s no doubt this is a victory, not just for our community’s voluntary, church and other charitable organisations, but for those who rely on the services they provide.
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