Scouts prepared to battle water firm over £7k bills

A SCOUT group that caters for some of the city's most deprived areas has been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after water firm bosses refused to recognise it as a charity.

Leaders of the 87th Inverleith Scout group, which takes in Granton, Pilton and Muirhouse, estimate they have paid more than 7,300 in water bills for their Scout hall over the last seven years, and have had to miss out on trips and equipment to foot the bill.

Scout leaders in Scotland say that, as registered charities, they should be exempt from costly water charges.

It is understood the group is one of dozens of charitable organisations that are currently battling Scottish Water and its subsidiaries over charges.

Elaine McLaren, the group's leader, said: "A lot of our Scouts don't have a lot of money, but we do have our own hall.

"However, one of the major problems we face is that Scottish Water and its subsidiary have been billing us for water for seven years.

"There was a cut-off date that we must have missed nearly a decade ago, and ever since we've paid 67 every month.

"All of the money we raise at fundraisers goes on paying these bills, and we have had to miss out on trips and equipment. It's all been gobbled up by Scottish Water and Business Stream."

Jim Duffy, chief executive of the Scottish Scouts, said a number of his groups had been affected after local authorities transferred the handling of the utility to Scottish Water in 1999.

He said: "In most cases it has been resolved, but only in the bitter end. Scottish Water seems to be very reluctant to concede.

"If the Scout group have been on their premises since 1999, which the 87th Inverleith group have, and were exempt prior to 1999, they should be looking to get back every penny paid."

He added: "The Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations have taken up the case of numerous organisations that have found themselves at odds with Scottish Water."

A Scottish Water spokesperson said the problem for the 87th Inverleith group now lies with subsidiary Business Stream.

A spokesperson for Business Stream said it had no knowledge of the Scout group's complaint, but added: "We are grateful that it has been brought to our attention and have contacted the group to see if they meet the criteria for the exemption scheme."