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V25-700 : WATER METERS

The Sub-Committee considered the report of the Director of Housing and Environmental Services which examined the Council's current policy on water meters. Under the existing policy water meters were not permitted in Council owned property unless circumstances were exceptional. All applications were considered by the Housing Sub Committee.

To date no water meters had been fitted to Council owned property. Members consistently took the view that future tenants of the property may be disadvantaged by the existence of a meter, particularly if there were medical implications.

There was an increasing demand from individual tenants of the smaller units of accommodation for a water meter to be fitted. Requests had also been received from organisations representing certain groups such as the Royal British Legion on behalf of pensioners.

Members considered Essex and Suffolk Water's leaflet "Waterfacts", and their current offer of the following concessions:

(i) They would install a water meter free of charge for a single elderly occupant. (ii) Where a water meter was fitted they operated a "chronic illness allowance" for long term serious health problems which required the use of large amounts of water. (iii) They hoped to extend the free installation of water meters to elderly couples during 1998.

At the time of writing, Essex and Suffolk Water would not remove a meter once fitted, although this was an aspect of their operation receiving further consideration.

Clearly, there was a growing demand for water meters to be fitted at Council owned property, particularly from elderly tenants. Members objections had, to a degree, been resolved by Essex and Suffolk Water introducing its chronic illness allowance scheme.

RESOLVED

1. That the Director of Housing and Environmental Services be given delegated authority to approve a request by a tenant for the installation of water meters in one or two bedroomed Council owned properties, where the tenant or their spouse/partner is of state pensionable age.

2. That in the case of any application for the installation of a water meter falling outside the above criteria, the existing policy of referral to Housing Sub-Committee for consideration of any exceptional circumstances, be confirmed.

*Policy Decision.

Volume 25 Minute 700

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