JorgeinLondon
Well-Known Member
They don't seem that expensive - also people's behaviour seems to be a lot better when they're around than when they're not.
Mr Osborne wants to cut another 25% or 40%
- Thread starter boatone
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boatone
Well-Known Member
Be very careful what you wish for!
The launches probably have very little book value and maintenance costs are pretty small. They may not all be in use all of the time but they are positioned river wide for quick deployment in any stretch and provide undoubted facility for enforcement and other duties. When they are out and about there is clear evidence that they have beneficial impact on behaviour generally, whatever else they may be doing.
Selling them off might bring in a little income but it will be small beer in the wider order of things and once they are gone, be in no doubt, they will never come back.
JorgeinLondon
Well-Known Member
I had the opportunity to meet Greg Hands yesterday. He's the current chief secretary to the treasury. I casually asked him how much of a cut to expect to the EA. As a boater I was interested to hear what sort of effect it would have on the river. He gave me a look that had confusion and fear all over it, and then the usual political non-answer. I would say it doesn't look good. I think he was confused as to what the EA had to do with the Thames.
On the other hand Victoria Borwick seems to be onside (at least she understood who managed to the river!), although she's only a backbencher, she is well connected and is enough of a rebel to say things others wouldn't.
Sadly I agree with most of the analyses on here. The boating experience is going to virtually unrecognisable in 5 years time...
On the other hand Victoria Borwick seems to be onside (at least she understood who managed to the river!), although she's only a backbencher, she is well connected and is enough of a rebel to say things others wouldn't.
Sadly I agree with most of the analyses on here. The boating experience is going to virtually unrecognisable in 5 years time...
apollo
...
He he I went to school with Greg, he always looks confused and frightened, that's cos he is not the brightest spark in the box and he is panicking that someone may have noticed..
JorgeinLondon
Well-Known Member
So I've just gone through the HM Spending review document and have found the pertinent bit on the EA funding. 15% cut over 3 years for operational expenditure. Nothing specific about river management mostly about Defra in the very short blurb.
Here is the link to hopefully the right page! https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-and-autumn-statement-2015-documents/spending-review-and-autumn-statement-2015#departmental-settlements
If you scroll down the page you will eventually get to the specifics on the EA.
Here is the link to hopefully the right page! https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-and-autumn-statement-2015-documents/spending-review-and-autumn-statement-2015#departmental-settlements
If you scroll down the page you will eventually get to the specifics on the EA.
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
I suggest they consult their insurers before cutting lock staff, they may find the increase in premiums for PL is more, a lot more than they stand to save.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
How many CART locks have staff? And how much would they save on employers' liability insurance?
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
As there are very few employees who have a track record of not falling in presumably, & there are a great many public who regularly fall in (I have seen two in three excursions to Windsor) I would say the PL risk far outweighs the EL risk by some very significant margin. The increased risk of claims with no lock staff would be horrendous, my son who got a maths degree at Cambs & narrowly missed a career as an actuary (by choice) said so
