2009 charges

[Brayman]

The following is on theATYC web site as a quote but it isn't attributed to anyone!................
“It was announced that after strenuous lobbying on behalf of all Thames boaters by the Thames User Group (Navigation) and others which includes the ATYC that the registration charge increase for 2009 is coming down from 11.6% to 7.8%. It was anticipated that a registration charge of 12% was to be imposed for three years and 2009 would have been the third year. Users said in 2006 that a 12% charge was not sustainable and very quickly it became apparent that it was damaging registrations which have decreased by 126 in 2007 and a further 242 in 2008. 7.8% is still over inflation and TUGn with the ATYC will watch the situation very closely during 2009. Boaters have always made a contribution to the improvement of the river but our concern must be the ongoing service to the boater once we know the outcome of the work currently being carried out dealing with the Lock House situation.”

 

[Phill]

increase for 2009 is coming down from 11.6% to 7.8%.............

A case of too little too late springs to mind.

If I do "Man Maths" on the decrease of the increase, I should be able to prove to SWMBO that we will be better off keeping, as opposed to selling the boat.
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Brayman]

That's right, a saving of 1/3rd is not to be sneezed at!
Just like the January sales.

 

[miket]

Ian.
I think congratulations to ATYC and other bodies lobbying EA are in order.
We all tend to take these things for granted. I for one had just assumed that EA would, as usual, totally ignore representations, despite the obvious drop off in registrations. Someone has been working very hard on our behalf. Thanks.
Still hard to reconcile forecast negative inflation and reduced service/ facilities with an increase of 8%.

 

[Chris_d]

Yes well done to all involved, fortunately river users are extremely well represented in comparison to other EA interests, we have some very smart boat owners out there.

 

[Captain Coochie]

Yup thanks to all those that worked hard to get the increase down but all i saw last season was rain one weekend and then the river going fast the next weekend . Maybe not the EA's fault for the river flow but having lived near it all my life i feel it is . I'm thinking of going back to the Tidal , if i cant use the boat at least i can sit on it and do a bit of fishing without paying a few £ a year for the pleasure .

 

[boatone]

[ QUOTE ]
Still hard to reconcile forecast negative inflation and reduced service/ facilities with an increase of 8%.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think any attempt to relate the increases in the Thames registration fees to normal inflation is futile. The level of fees is not in any way related to actual costs of providing the service and, other than the fact that all costs are increasing, simply comes down to the EA recognising one clearly identifiable source of much needed extra income.

The bottomm line is simply how much of an increase will we accept and pay - eg keep charging until we scream, and I mean SCREAM, not whinge/whimper.

The ATYC and other groups have undoubtedly raised the game and I am sure their representations have helped but the root problem still remains - the Thames is underfunded.