Content

11.1

Members considered a report of the Executive
Director, Neighbourhood Services explaining that Sheffield City
Council (SCC) provided services to Yorkshire Water (YW), acting as
an “agent of Yorkshire Water” to collect water rates on
behalf of Council tenants. This agreement had been in place for
over 20 years, with the current 3 year agreement expiring on 31st
March 2024.
 
The report set out the detail of the proposal
to enter in to a new 3 year contract with Yorkshire Water. The
report sought approval of the terms of contract offered by
Yorkshire Water by the Housing Policy Committee for the period 1st
July 2024 – 31st March 2027.

 

 

11.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy
Committee:-
 

 

1.   
Notes the contents of this report.

2.   
Authorises the entry into the contract offered by Yorkshire Water
to allow Sheffield City Council (SCC) to enter into a new contract
to collect water rates on behalf of Yorkshire Water (YW) from
Council tenants.

3.   
Delegates authority to the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, in
consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, to complete
all necessary documentation.

 

 

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

Sheffield City Council have been collecting
water rates as an agent of Yorkshire Water for over 20 years. The
contract is mutually beneficial for all parties. Sheffield City
Council receive an income which is used to administer the Yorkshire
Water Contract and support Council tenants to pay their water rates
and support other housing services. Yorkshire Water receive a high
collection rate, and trained staff who support tenants to access
their support schemes. Tenants benefit from being able to make one
payment for both their rent and water rates, as well as being able
to access trained staff who are experts in providing financial
inclusion and support, helping them to manage their money, pay
their bills and ultimately sustain their tenancy.

 

 

 

 

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

The alternative is to not collect water rates
for Yorkshire Water. This would however result in a reduction in
service for tenants, who would have to make payments direct to
Yorkshire Water as well as their rent. Tenants would also not have
the additional support to apply for water support grants. Yorkshire
Water would require time to develop alternative arrangements to
collect outstanding water rates. There would also be a reduction in
income to the Council, which is currently being used to support
housing services within the Council’s overall budget.