Campaigners take to streets to axe water bills for good

Local & National

Controversial politician to address tap tax rally

Thursday, March 29, 2007

By David Gordon

Anti-Tap tax campaigners will be on the march this weekend - with the aim of sending a message to an incoming Assembly.

Water charges were this week deferred as a result of the deal to restore devolution.

But protesters want to see them axed completely and have decided to press ahead with demonstrations on Saturday. The venues will be Belfast, Derry and Strabane.

The rallies are being organised by the Coalition Against Water Charges, which comprises trade unions and other supporters of a non-payment campaign.

The tap tax has been delayed until May, when devolution is due to return.

It is expected that bills will be further put off until next year.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions Assistant General Secretary Peter Bunting said: "Water charges can be delayed for now for short term reasons, but the challenge remains to scrap them entirely.

"That is why we are organising mass rallies in Belfast, Derry and Strabane on Saturday and we urge the people of Northern Ireland to join us and send a message that is a clear as clean water."

The last-minute delay on the water charges raises questions about the Water Service's recent expenditure on a public awareness push.

With a budget of some £550,000, this campaign included TV and other advertising explaining that bills would arrive in April.

Over 800,000 leaflets were posted to households and businesses, and four information seminars were also held.

It seems likely that similar spending will be required next year in the event of the charges being introduced.

A spokesperson for Water Service said: "The public information campaign focused on providing factual information on the introduction of water and sewerage charges.

"Particular attention was paid to making the public aware of the reduced tariff which over a quarter of homes will be entitled to and also the fact that certain groups such as pensioners will also have the choice to have meters installed in their homes."

Other parts of the water reform programme are still being introduced.

Water Service will next week become a Government-owned company, Northern Ireland Water.

The delay in the water charges will have an impact on a seven-year £70m contract between Water Service and private consortium Crystal Alliance.

It includes the management of billing arrangements by Crystal Alliance - work that will not now be undertaken for some months.

The consortium currently employs 200 people in its new Customer Relations Centre set up to deliver the contract.

Its work also includes telephone call handling, mail processing and provision of a new "mobile work management system".

The Water Service has not yet commented on how the bills deferral will affect the contract. Its spokesperson said the implications of postponement " have yet to be determined by all parties".