Pro Designer

Appeal to the water companies before the deadline

I believe that the hosepipe ban imposed by the seven water companies in the south east will have a serious impact on the hundreds of small businesses working in the landscape industry in the south east.

Whilst we all understand the seriousness of the drought, the blanket ban imposed by Thames Water and others means that from 5 April, hosepipes cannot be used to water newly installed planting, turf and seeded areas. If you have not yet fully considered the implications of this, I have outlined my concerns in my letter of appeal (see below) and I am asking for a discretionary period for new garden installations.

All the water companies have a consulting period where representations or appeals can be made. The deadline for representations for Thames Water is 21 March (in writing to: Public Consultations Team, 2nd East, Thames Water, Clearwater Court, Reading, RG1 8DB - or by email to consultations@thameswater.co.uk). Check your water company for their deadlines and addresses. 

I urge LJN members in the south east affected by this (there must be hundreds) to write to their water companies (please feel free to adapt my letter for your own business case if it helps). If there are enough people appealing and asking for a discretionary period, maybe our voices will be heard.

As an open association LJN is a voice in the industry and actively supports small businesses - a letter from LJN on behalf of its members in the south east may carry more weight. Strength in numbers?

My appeal letter is now in the Business Objectives Group

Water companies in the United Kingdom

Tags: ban, businesses, designers, drought, garden, hosepipe, landscapers, small

Views: 3583

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Replies to This Discussion


Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jenny Bloom on May 21, 2012 at 15:02

Awesome news! Well done everyone! A great result for our industry. BBC news story below.

Thames Water has relaxed its hosepipe ban for gardening businesses ...


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on May 21, 2012 at 15:10

I had a nice email today from Richard Aylard of Thames Water.

He said he hopes things pick up for our sector.


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Craig McGibbon on May 22, 2012 at 21:14

Hi,

Is anyone else concerned about Veolia's wording of the exemption; In particular the use of the word ' soley ' in their statement?

"still prohibit householders washing cars or watering the garden with a hose will remain in place but businesses whose income is solely dependant on turf laying and planting will be able to use the minimum amount of water to preserve new gardens, lawns and plants for a period up to 28 days".

So if l carry out other landscaping operations for example patio installation then can it be said my income is not soley from turf laying and planting?!?!


I read it in the Watford Observer

Watford Observer


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on May 23, 2012 at 16:02
Due to our location, we sit near/ adjacent to multiple Water Authorities. We have found the WA's have inconsistent exemptions and even worse are giving out inconsistent advice for their areas. We have applied for a dispensation/clarification of current rules to allow us to proceed with several major jobs. You would not believe the confusion.

Our industry appears at the moment to be sitting back, slapping each other on the back while medium/longer term the issue is just as bad, if not worse.

If the current good weather is in place for a 'significant' time we have been told exemptions could be withdrawn again for our industry while other business types ( commercial car washers, window cleaners etc) could carry on.

I can see this whole cycle repeating itself in the near future - including the varying levels of efforts expended by our so called industry bodies......

I think each individual business needs to look at what it needs to do to survive in this tough time.

Are the WA's actively targeting commercial users ?

How many warnings take place before any attempt at a fine ?

Would you have a case under EU laws for constraint of trade?

Would the WA's want to test it out in a Court or do they rely on you rolling over ?

Importantly, would any of us in the trade get any support fom those who say they represent the industry...mmmhhhh let me ponder on that question a while....

ps BALI did not even respond to an email and phone call I placed to their CCO & Press Officier a while ago - apparently they were busy organising their show stand and awards ceremony. Nice to know they have their priorities right.

Apart from LJN and its members, the next best effort for representing our industry goes to HTA / APL's Tim Brierly. Pat on the back. Well done Tim.

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on May 23, 2012 at 18:46

Representations were received from the following organisations and 37 individuals:

1          Kent Cricket Board
2          Otford Parish Council (former Chairman)
3          London Fire Brigade
4          Whitewater Valley Preservation Society
5          NHS Sussex
6          Hook Parish Council
7          The Horticultural Trades Association
8          Plumpton Racecourse
9          Michael / Grantham Grounds Manager
10        Ardingly Parish Council
11        Teston Parish Council
12        East Grinstead Town Council
13        Whitstable Cricket Club
14        Landscape Juice Network
15        Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council
16        Uckfield Town Council
17        Teston Parish Council
18        East Sussex County Council
19        English Heritage
20        Hampshire County Council 
21        Binfield Parish Council
22       Environment Agency 
23        Kent County Council
24        Natural England 

I am writing to thank you for your representation made to Defra following the publication of our draft Drought Plan recently. Your time and effort to review and respond to this document is appreciated as all representations help in informing and improving the final document.

I can now inform you that we have now published our Statement of Response to these many representations that we have received, in line with the statutory requirements. You can access this document on the Company’s website at the link below.

 www.southeastwater.co.uk/droughtplan

This Statement of Response document sets out how each of the comments have been considered, and what the company intends to change in the final Drought Plan when it is published in due course, together with the reasons for these changes.

Where the Company considers no changes are necessary the reasons for this have also been explained.

Thank you for taking the time to read our Statement of Response.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully

Lee

 

Lee Dance

Head of Water Resources and Environmental


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on May 23, 2012 at 18:49

Dear Mr. Voice,

Following your previous correspondence with Sutton and East Surrey Water relating to garden landscaping and turfing I further write to outline our revised position regarding the 28day concession for watering in of newly laid turf or seed.  Please find a letter attached.

If you have any further queries please do visit our website or contact our Customer Service team.

Yours sincerely,

Rob Baldry

Operations Manager (Networks)

Sutton and East Surrey Water

Attachments:

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on May 24, 2012 at 12:37

We've been finally granted our required exemption by Sutton and East Surrey for commercial use at nominated sites.

Very interesting comment that you must allow 10 working days for them to process the exemption - WHAT ??????

Must be hard work in Customer Services at the moment :-(


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on May 25, 2012 at 13:19

I cannot see clarification of this but I would safely assume that if you work as a gardener or landscaper (and you can prove it) even if it's part-time then you can claim the exemption.

I have points of contact with the seven water companies who've applied the hosepipe ban so if anyone has a problem then please contact me and I will take it up directly.


Cedar Garden Services said:

Phil may I ask what they class as a commercial organisation?
Is this a ltd company, VAT reg or all persons within our trade i.e. the gardener who works by himself?



Phil Voice said:

Dear Mr. Voice,

Following your previous correspondence with Sutton and East Surrey Water relating to garden landscaping and turfing I further write to outline our revised position regarding the 28day concession for watering in of newly laid turf or seed.  Please find a letter attached.

If you have any further queries please do visit our website or contact our Customer Service team.

Yours sincerely,

Rob Baldry

Operations Manager (Networks)

Sutton and East Surrey Water


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on May 25, 2012 at 13:26

Gary

I would seriously doubt you'd have a problem if you submitted the contract details via email and continued with your watering without waiting for an official response.

For everyone's information I asked Thames Water to clarify the starting point of the 28 exemption. 

A fresh exemption will start after the completion of any new job - see here: http://www.landscapejuice.com/2012/05/28-exemption-for-new-planting...


Gary RK said:

We've been finally granted our required exemption by Sutton and East Surrey for commercial use at nominated sites.

Very interesting comment that you must allow 10 working days for them to process the exemption - WHAT ??????

Must be hard work in Customer Services at the moment :-(


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on May 25, 2012 at 13:29

I have also asked that LJN be recognised as being part of the consultation and code of conduct.

I have today made the point today, in writing, that many of our members have given a great deal of their time to assist with the consultation process and have worked hard to ensure that the hosepipe ban problem for our industry gets the recognition it deserved.

I feel others are trying to take all of the credit.


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on May 25, 2012 at 18:38

Phil,

Initially that was confirmed as the case = ie 10 days notification required.

I challenged this in an exchange of email, finally asking for written confirmation of this requirement and the response was@

Dear Sir, 

After going through the conditions again, as long as you contact us prior to any watering taking place then your exemption will start from that date, not from the date we reply to your email or letter. Sorry for the confusion (it was only confirmed yesterday).

Kind regards,

Jonathan Pilbeam-Brown

Service Development Analyst

Sutton and East Surrey Water plc

 Hence my comments about confusion and disarray in the WA's.


Phil Voice said:

Gary

I would seriously doubt you'd have a problem if you submitted the contract details via email and continued with your watering without waiting for an official response.

For everyone's information I asked Thames Water to clarify the starting point of the 28 exemption. 

A fresh exemption will start after the completion of any new job - see here: http://www.landscapejuice.com/2012/05/28-exemption-for-new-planting...


Gary RK said:

We've been finally granted our required exemption by Sutton and East Surrey for commercial use at nominated sites.

Very interesting comment that you must allow 10 working days for them to process the exemption - WHAT ??????

Must be hard work in Customer Services at the moment :-(


PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Austin Powell-Allen on May 25, 2012 at 22:51

Phil

any news from Veolia Water Central still seems they have the ban is this correct?

I have had a few turf laying jobs put on hold client wants it laid asap but does not fancy using a watering can.

Phil Voice said:

I have also asked that LJN be recognised as being part of the consultation and code of conduct.

I have today made the point today, in writing, that many of our members have given a great deal of their time to assist with the consultation process and have worked hard to ensure that the hosepipe ban problem for our industry gets the recognition it deserved.

I feel others are trying to take all of the credit.

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