Written Question · S5W-01207 · Session 5
What assessment it has made of the implementation of new legislation that gives effect to water and sewerage charges; how it will support v…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the implementation of new legislation that gives effect to water and sewerage charges; how it will support village halls in their application for charitable status so that they are eligible for exemption from such charges, and what discussions it has had on this matter with the (a) Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and (b) Office for the Scottish Charity Regulator.
The answer
Scottish Ministers’ principles of charging statement sets out the basis for calculating water and sewerage charges. It also sets out the terms upon which the Exemption Scheme is available to charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs.
The terms of the new Exemption Scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2015, were the subject of a consultation: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/11/9119 at the end of 2013. Over 140 organisations responded including many voluntary organisations and their umbrella organisations. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Office for the Charity Regulator (OSCR) were closely involved in the design and implementation of the new scheme and have publicised the consultation and the scheme as agreed by ministers.
My officials have spoken to officials at OSCR and SCVO to discuss how further assistance can be provided where village halls wish to obtain charitable status. In the light of these discussions, I have decided that, provided that these village halls obtain charitable status within the current financial year and meet all of the eligibility criteria, exemption will be back-dated to 1 April 2016.
The terms of the new Exemption Scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2015, were the subject of a consultation: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2013/11/9119 at the end of 2013. Over 140 organisations responded including many voluntary organisations and their umbrella organisations. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and the Office for the Charity Regulator (OSCR) were closely involved in the design and implementation of the new scheme and have publicised the consultation and the scheme as agreed by ministers.
My officials have spoken to officials at OSCR and SCVO to discuss how further assistance can be provided where village halls wish to obtain charitable status. In the light of these discussions, I have decided that, provided that these village halls obtain charitable status within the current financial year and meet all of the eligibility criteria, exemption will be back-dated to 1 April 2016.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-01207 by reference.