Decision details

The matter relates to Thanet District Council’s (the Council) fees and charges for water use at the allotment sites. The Council is considering not including a water charge to allotment plot holders during the period of 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. This is due to a change in the invoicing period for allotment holders fees from currently October to September each year, to Apr to March each year.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Cleansing and Coastal Services:

1.  Approved that a charge for water is not included in the allotment holders invoice for the period of 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.

The prospective decision and recommendation is being made to ensure that the Council does not charge for water that has not been used during the period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. The issue around the potential of charging for water during a period the water is switched off has been created through the adjustment of the invoicing period for allotment holders as explained in the report.

The Council could charge water rates for the period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. There is potential for the allotment holders to undertake a legal challenge to this decision. For this reason this is not the preferred option.