Decision details

To set out the ongoing legal issues, at a national level, around collection on water rates as part of Council/Housing Association Rents, together with an assessment of the Council’s own legal advice in relation to the nature of the Flintshire contract with Welsh Water.

Councillor Attridge introduced the Collection of Water Rates as Part of Council Rents report which detailed the assurances received from Counsel on the legal position for the Council on the receipt of commission to reflect the administration associated with the collection of water rates.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the current service of billing and collection of water rates on behalf of the water suppliers continue;

(b)       That the legal advice from Counsel be noted, which confirms there are limited prospects of successful claims being made against the Council, despite the High Court ruling in the  Southwark case; and

(c)        That the 1.5% ‘early-bird’ payment discount from 2019/20 by virtue of the advice from Counsel be accepted.