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Section 6 - How will Domestic Water Charges be affected?
57. Currently, domestic water charges are billed and collected together with council tax by local authorities. While water charges are based on council tax bands, they do not vary by local authority area.
58. Abolishing the council tax requires a review of these arrangements. Consideration needs to be given as to whether local authorities would continue to be best placed to undertake the billing and collection of domestic water charges on behalf of Scottish Water, or whether Scottish Water might be in a better position to undertake this task, perhaps by utilising the expertise of other utility players such as the power companies.
59. There is an independent regulatory framework in Scotland for setting water charges. The Scottish Government is required to consult on the overall principles that apply to water charging over any given regulatory period. The current consultation, on the principles that should apply between 2010 and 2014, closed on 29 February 2008. There will be a further consultation on our proposals for the future billing and collection of domestic water charges. Please contact ian.alexander2@scotland.gsi.gov.uk if you would like to receive this consultation.
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