Page 35 - ALG Issue 4 2018

Water Plus or Water Minus?
As many of you are self-managed allotment societies, you will be aware that Water Plus took over the managing of water charges from Severn Trent and United Utilities in 2017 for non-household customers.
Allotment groups fall in-between household account holders and business accounts, which Water Plus could not cope with.
What should have happened is for Severn Trent to send Water Plus a database of the addresses they were sending invoices to for water charges concerning allotment users.
No. Wrong.
What did happen was that, for some reason, Water Plus sent invoices to the site addresses. In some cases that was not a problem, post boxes are on some allotment sites, and some areas had intelligent post persons who knew that a local person was responsible for the society run allotments in the area and so the correspondence reached the correct addressee. In this way invoices are delivered and paid for. What is so simple? A number of invoices also carried VAT charges, which was an error.
Unfortunately, most invoices and correspondence did not arrive to the correct recipient society. Some societies have had no invoices since 2016!
Like any other business Water Plus need the payment they are entitled to, and after time they took action to collect the unpaid wrongly addressed invoices. So, they decided to charge the innocent
society £150 and put the payment out for collection to a debt collection organisation. I have had reports of doors being knocked and pressure put on to society volunteer officers to pay out, which some duly did. In some cases, the collection fee was refunded on complaint to Water Plus.
Upon being made aware of this situation NAS have attempted to contact Water Plus. As many of you are aware, you get to speak to a call centre who make many promises but deliver very little action. After many threats and frustrating calls, we finally got to speak to the Head of Market Operations who was very sympathetic to the situation. Finally, after initial contact in May, in August it was agreed something needed to take place. The following is the status at the moment:
1. No VAT on any society invoice
2. No collection by debt collector of allotment or gardening
accounts
3. If you have an account query contact by email
3rdpartydisputes@water-plus.co.uk
4. Or telephone 01782 968929
5. Include in your end of year accounts an estimated amount for
water use
6. Or contact myself on allotmentbaron@aol.com
Paul Howgill, Regional Representative, East Midlands
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SOIL AND COMPOST REMINERALISER
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A GARDENER’S CHRISTMAS WISH LIST
Editor’s choice...
Pat-A-Pot Growing Kit
From the makers of the
award-winning Paper Potter, Nether Wallop Trading offers the Pat-a-Pot Growing Kit, perfect for gardeners of all ages and stages. We’re committed to encouraging people
to garden more sustainably and design ethical and innovative tools for gardeners and cooks, most of which are made in the UK. All our tools are tried and tested for longevity, ease of use and ‘pleasingness’ - that indefinable quality of knowing you’re on to a good thing.
£20.00 + £3.95 p&p
Available from www.netherwalloptrading.uk
Seed sowing starter kit
Includes:
• Vermiculite 5 litre
• Bottle top waterers pack
of 4
• Digger, Weeder & planter
• Plant labels (10cm pack of 50)
• Waterproof markers (2 pack)
• 3 mini High Dome propagator
£15 (Saving you over £4.75, if purchased separately). Code: 46273. Order now by calling us on 01376 570000 or online: www.kingsseeds.com
Okatsune Secateurs
The essential tool for avid gardeners, suitable for pruning small trees and shrubs. Made from the finest steel - perfect for making precision cuts. The No:1 secateurs in Japan available in 3 sizes for small, med or large hands. Prices range from £40.00 to £48.00
Visit us online: www.okatsune.co.uk
Editor’s choice...
Plants for Bees
Our gardens are fast- becoming the alternative homes needed for many of our bee
species to survive and thrive. A fascinating practical handbook punctuated by stunning photography. It explains the importance of planting flowers for different
bee species
and details
more than 300 plants. This beautiful collection would be a fabulous gift for anyone interested in bees and the valuable contribution they make to our lives.
£35.00
Available from
CJ Wildlife online: www.birdfood.co.uk or call Freephone 0800 731 2820
UNDER £25
UNDER £50
UNDER £20
UNDER £50
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