Water bill exemption change could sink Moray lighthouse museum
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VOLUNTEERS behind a Moray lighthouse museum fear an unexpected water bill could sink the community project.
Scottish Water is seeking to remove Covesea Lighthouse & Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Heritage Centre's charitable water rates exemption on competition grounds. This is because the project hires out two former lighthouse keeper's cottages.
The Scottish Government’s Water and Sewerage Charges Exemption Scheme helps reduce costs for small charities, and up until now the Lossiemouth museum qualified for the exemption.
The financial blow could cost the museum up to £10,000 a year, which would render the whole project unviable, according to Chris Tuke, chairman of the Covesea Lighthouse Community Company management board.
The cottage lets are the main source of income to maintain the site and cover running costs for the benefit of locals and visitors.
Mr Tuke said the board was contesting the decision as they did not believe the competition grounds applied. He said: "We trade on a unique site. We don't believe there is competition.
"We charge premium prices for the cottage lets, rather than undercutting anyone."
He added: "Such a cost would pretty much scupper the whole project.
"Even though we have kept a prudent reserve for unexpected costs – it doesn't run to five figures. And of course, like everyone else, we have struggled financially with the Covid situation.
"It's an unexpected burden that no one needs at this time.
"It's a shame when the government says they're trying to help local communities and charities that decisions like these effectively close them down."
Scottish Water has pledged a resolution to the matter by January 5.
The 176-year-old Covesea Skerries Lighthouse closed in 2012.
The lighthouse museum, which opened as a visitor attraction in 2013, attracts around 3000 visitors from all around the world each year.
Earlier this month the nearby Morayvia Aviation Museum was hit with a £20,000 annual bill after suddenly losing its rates exemption status through the Water and Sewerage Charges Exemption Scheme.
Volunteers at the Kinloss attraction were told this was because the museum has a gift shop on the premises which may give it a competitive edge over other businesses.
