EA Outcome of Charges Consultation

[boatone]

Full chapter and verse to follow but we have made a difference !

EA announcement today -

“The headlines of the final outcome is that we will:

•implement many elements of the charge framework as proposed and consulted
•not implement the area-based charge on any of the waterways, we will keep the current charge mechanisms for powered and unpowered enclosed boats

•increase charges by 4% in 2022, 4% in 2023 and 2% in 2024

The changes will take effect from 1 January 2022 for the Thames and 1 April 2022 for Anglian Waterways and the Upper Medway. “

 

[Northern Star]

Thank you for all your efforts Tony they are very much appreciated by myself and my crew (Wife)

 

[Gumpy]

Sadly the changes have been scuppered, I will now end up paying 4% more next year and the year after instead of 8% less for my Anglian licence.
Still it could be worse if my boat was only 50ft it would have been over10% less

 

[boatone]

Full details of the final charges and other changes for 2022-24 are available for download here:
Environment Agency navigation charges consultation outcomes

 

[Pump-Out]

What happened to Crown Exemption, please? A number of cadet units currently enjoy this, but the consultation proposed charging in the future.

The link does not mention it.

Rant:
Does use the word "waterways" throughout - the EA show no pride in being responsible for the word famous River Thames

 

[boatone]

What happened to Crown Exemption, please? A number of cadet units currently enjoy this, but the consultation proposed charging in the future.
The link does not mention it.

My interpretation as follow-
The blanket exemption for Crown craft has been removed. I suggest your example of cadet units would be covered under section 9.11:-
9.11. For not-for-profit organisation or charity boats the annual charges apply as set out in table 1.9 below.
Table 1.9 Not-for-profit organisation or charity boat charges

Type of annual registration charge	Charge per boat
Junior only unpowered open boats	£10.92
Other unpowered open boats	£31.20
Coaching boats	£79.49
Powered boat	25% of the cost relevant annual charge as set out in paragraph 4.1 or 4.2 of Part 2, Part 3 or Part 4 of this Scheme for each waterway where the boat is being kept and used

10. The following types of boats are exempt from paying charges for registration of boats on the waterways: safety or rescue boats; emergency services boats; Highways Authority boats; boats owned or operated by, or operated on behalf of, the Environment Agency; and, on the River Thames only, boats owned or operated by freemen of the Watermen’s Company.


Please recognise that, although the EA have accepted representations and made changes to some of their original proposals many of the less controversial changes have now been confirmed.. User reps were not made aware of the final detailed proposal submitted for ministerial approval before the outcome was published last week. In the absence of a definitive line by line explanation I am still analysing the 15 page document to see what has now changed.

 

[Pump-Out]

Thanks for that; I'll look at the figures in due course.

Frankly, its a travesty when HMG are trying to widen cadet units and youth engagement. The EA should be squirming in their seats. These has reduced my opinion of the EA management yet further.