§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what system exists for persons wishing to appeal against the level of water rates or water charges in respect of a property to do so to an independent tribunal or court.
§ Mr. YeoWater charges are in respect of most properties based on rateable value and there has never been a specific right of appeal against their level—though there was a right of appeal against domestic rateable values and a time limited right still remains in the case of non-domestic rateable values. The independent Director General of Water Services has a duty to protect customers' interests and to ensure that there is no discrimination in setting charges. Complaints about the application of charges in individual cases, which customers are unable to resolve with their local water company, can be taken up with the appropriate local customer service committee (CSC) of the Office of Water Services. These committees are not appellate bodies but were established specifically to represent customers' interests and to investigate complaints.
Where a customer receives a metered supply of water, and disputes the accuracy of the meter reading, he may, under the Water (Meters) Regulations 1988, request the water company to test the meter. Any dispute arising under the regulations may be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator appointed by agreement between the parties or, in default of agreement, by the Secretary of State.