A "RAINWATER tax" which has seen church water bills increase by up to 1,300 per cent is to be debated by the Church of England.
A lay member of its General Synod, Martin Dales, has had a private members motion on church water bills accepted for the meeting on February 11.
Thousands of protesters have signed a petition on the Downing Street website against what Mr Dales des
cribes as a "rainwater tax" which has seen church bill increase from £80 to £800.
The bills have increased because some water companies now charge churches the full cost of draining away the rain that falls on to their roofs. In the past the calculation was based on their rateable value, which was often near zero.
Mr Dales said: "It is quite clear that these iniquitous charges for surface-water and highway drainage are causing huge problems for many churches, charities, sports clubs, and scout groups who already face serious financial funding problems due to the economic downturn.
"I am very surprised that the Government has not made an effort to address the situation despite numerous requests and the 40,000 signature petition on the Downing Street website.
"It seems that Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), Ofwat (the water services regulation authority) and the water companies are continuously passing the buck with the mantra 'it's fairer for everyone' being the on-message response when it patently is not at all fair."
The former mayor of Malton said the Government talked about the importance of faith-based and voluntary sector organisations in terms of social responsibility and conscience of the nation, but introduced the measure without a thought of the demoralising effect on clergy, churchwardens and volunteers.
