Defra recognised the little time available to consult with customers prior to the approval of charges commencing 1 April 2011 and encouraged companies to consider interim measures ahead of the 2012/13 charging year. As such Northumbrian Water has decided to introduce an interim concessionary charge for the charging year 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012.

Surface water drainage charges for community groups will be capped at Band 1 (£109.30) for eligible properties.

An eligible property must be primarily used as a:

• Place of public religious worship
• Village hall
• Community centre
• Scout/Guide Association (or similar) youth organisation meeting place
• Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC)
• registered with HM Revenue & Customs

And:

• be run as a not-for-profit organisation;
• be non-governmental and non-political;
• be open to the whole community without discrimination;
• reinvest any and all profits in the organisation;
• not receive all its funding from local government;
• have a metered water supply;
• be connected for surface water drainage.

Download the application form and FAQs here http://www.nwl.co.uk/bSurfacewatercharges.aspx#concessions