§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make special provision to assist ratepayers in the counties of Brecon and Radnor in paying any increased water charges in the coming year; and what reduction in the rate these provisions would bring;
(2) in view of the suggested increase in water rates in Wales, what help he proposes to give to relieve the ratepayers in this respect; and by how much this will decrease the rate in each area.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment said on 22nd January—[Vol. 867, c. 1468–70.]—that the domestic element of rate support grant is being more than doubled in 1974–75. It is proposed that there should be a differential application of this element of the grant so as, among other things, to help those domestic ratepayers most affected by increased water service charges. It is not yet possible to say how this differential factor will apply in individual districts.
§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will indicate the existing water rate levied by each local authority in the counties of Brecon and Radnor; and what he estimates the rate will be in the same areas from April 1974 in order to finance the budget of the Welsh National Water Authority, assuming rateable values to be unchanged.
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§ Mr. Peter ThomasAt present water rates in Brecon and Radnor are levied by the South East Breconshire and the Radnorshire and North Breconshire Water Boards. The rates levied by those
RADNORSHIRE AND NORTH BRECONSHIRE WATER BOARD, 1973–74 Constituent District Water Rate (p) Deficiency Precept (p) Total charge to water rate payers (p) Builth Wells Urban District … … 5.6 8.30 13.90 Hay Urban District … … 5.6 8.30 13.90 Knighton Urban District … … 5.6 6.77 12.37 Llandrindod Wells Urban District … … 5.6 7.30 12.90 Llanwrtyd Wells Urban District … … 5.6 9.05 14.65 Presteigne Urban District … … 5.6 9.22 14.82 Builth Rural District … … 5.6 8.46 14.06 Colwyn Rural District … … 5.6 10.85 16.45 Hay Rural District … … 5.6 10.20 15.80 Knighton Rural District … … 5.6 8.50 14.10 New Radnor Rural District … … 5.6 14.90 20.50 Painscastle Rural District … … 5.6 12.18 17.78 Rhayader Rural District … … 5.6 4.93 10.53 Welsh National Water Development Authority 1974–75 water rate = 20.0p.
SOUTH EAST BRECONSHIRE WATER BOARD, 1973–74 Constituent District Water Rate (p) Deficiency Precept (p) Total charge to water rate payers (p) Brecon MB … … … 4.00 4.00 8.00 Brynmawr Urban District … … … 4.00 4.00 8.00 Brecknock Rural District … … … 4.00 3.73 7.73 Crickhowell Rural District … … … 4.00 2.98 6.98 Welsh National Water Development Authority 1974–75 water rate = 15.9p.
§ Mr. Roderickasked the Secretary of State for Wales what factors have led to the need to increase the water charges in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThe precise factors influencing particular charges are matters for the Welsh National Water Development Authority. In general, the level of charges is affected by the high cost of providing services to meet new demands and of maintaining existing services to a satisfactory standard. In some districts increases arise because hitherto the existing authorities have called upon general rate funds to meet deficiences arising on water supply. In future the service will be self-supporting.