Memorandum submitted by the Rugby Football
Union (RFU) (Ofwat 18)
THE ROLE
OF THE
RFU
The RFU is the National Governing Body for Rugby
Union in England and represents over 7,000 registered/affiliated
clubs across the country. It is the role of the RFU to grow and
develop the sport across the country and look after and protect
our clubs' interests at all levels.
Our clubs work hand in hand with our community rugby
programme in delivering sport for young people and form a central
point for many communities around the country not only providing
excellent sporting facilities but also reinvesting in the sport
and positively affecting local communities.
AFFECT OF
NEW WATER
CHARGING SYSTEMS
ON SPORTS
CLUBS
New charging systems agreed by OFWAT for inclusion
by 2010 are already being introduced by the water companies across
the country. The new model is being recommended by all water companies,
but United Utilities appear to be the only company implementing
the new system. United Utilities supplies many of our clubs in
the North. This change in system has already triggered new invoices
and has seen a unprecedented rise in water costs for our clubs.
The RFU has been contacted by many clubs who are
struggling to meet these increased costs which threaten the future
of running club facilities. A sample of some of our clubs affected
is tabled below. It is feared that many clubs will have to increase
clubs fees, concrete pitches or in some cases even close if these
increased rates remain in place.
SAMPLE UNITED
UTILITIES WATER
CHARGES FOR
CLUBS IN
NORTH WEST
|
| Club | Charges Before
| Charges After |
|
| Aspatria RFC Carlisle | £1212.00
| £5105.00 |
| Penrith RUFC Cumbria | £671.42
| £4105.18 |
| Macclesfield RUFC Cheshire | £796.00
| £4193.40 |
| Stockport RUFC | £1070.00
| £2647.32 |
| Windermere | £88.20
| £143.49 |
| Flyde Rugby Football Union Lancashire | £1353.36
| £2272.60 |
|
RFU ACTION
The RFU has raised this issue directly with OFWAT who have
been urging water companies to move to site area charging for
surface water drainage and not to make concessions.
It has also entered correspondence with United Utilities on the
issue and United Utilities have finally agreed to put a suspension
on the increased rates pending further review into the new charging
system.
The plight of many clubs struggling with these increased
charges has also been raised in Parliamentary Questions in the
House of Commons and with Ministers. A petition has also been
started in the national press with thousands of signatures in
support of a review of these new charging systems.
We have also been working with other sports and community
groups through the work of Central Council for Physical Recreation
on an exemption for these community clubs.
REQUESTED ACTION
These new water rates are not only affecting rugby but all
community based sports clubs. We believe that such community based
sports clubs should not be classified as businesses but should
be subject to the same rates as other social community based projects
such as schools, community groups and churches.
In view of the huge increases in rates these clubs are now being
charged, and the detrimental affect this will have on the survival
of community clubs and the development of grassroots sports we
would urge you to challenge the classification of Rugby Clubs
in this context and ask for the creation of a Social Tariffs for
sport and community clubs.
We hope that this inquiry into OFWAT Price review will provide
new guidance to OFWAT on the implementation of rate changes across
the country and an exemption for our Rugby Clubs on this basis.
RFU
February 2009
| 
