Premier acquires Boatfolk

[ashtead]

Presumably Boatfolk might just decide to not renew the bertholders licences if the council will not pay a premium for the business - does the income from licence fees exceed running costs -in my experience when councils become involved in commercial ventures the outcome is often unhappy. This certainly seems to be the case on the Isle of Wight with a number of ventures failing.

 

[dunedin]

Presumably Boatfolk might just decide to not renew the bertholders licences if the council will not pay a premium for the business - does the income from licence fees exceed running costs -in my experience when councils become involved in commercial ventures the outcome is often unhappy. This certainly seems to be the case on the Isle of Wight with a number of ventures failing.

See earlier posts including #133. Boatfolk’s operating licence ends at the end of this month and they are not renewing. So Boatfolk are no longer involved from April. The Council will presumably not be paying anything to Boatfolk, unless there is any ancillary equipment they want to take over.
The bertholders will be waiting to hear from the Council as to fees for new berth agreements.

 

[Fire99]

See earlier posts including #133. Boatfolk’s operating licence ends at the end of this month and they are not renewing. So Boatfolk are no longer involved from April. The Council will presumably not be paying anything to Boatfolk, unless there is any ancillary equipment they want to take over.
The bertholders will be waiting to hear from the Council as to fees for new berth agreements.

That's the bottom line.. And i'm one of the berthholders.

 

[ashtead]

This assumes the council wishes to renew the berthing licences. Yes I was thinking there might be tenants items of Boatfolk to be sold

 

[dunedin]

That's the bottom line.. And i'm one of the berthholders.

I hope everything resolves itself satisfactorily for you and other bertholders. Been there a few times as a visitor and great location, but there must be uncertainty on investment funds.

 

[benjenbav]

Indeed -it involves some paperwork but otherwise for example no insurer could buy another or motor manufacturer move from one insurer to another to provide FS products to the drivers of their brand. Sadly councils for a variety of reasons don’t always attract sharpest minds or experience and maybe it doesn’t want to inherit the customer book and associated issues-it doesn’t sound like Bangor is profitable though and perhaps needs expenditure. Being a Haslar boat for many years I have seen the expenditure that has taken place more recently which is usually needed to attract potential purchasers like Premier .

I can’t quite understand it if - as suggested - it turns out to have been possible to have been able to transfer liabilities (staff contracts) but not assets (berthing contracts).

 

[ashtead]

It might be that the staff claim they are TUPEd to the council on basis business is continuing - no protection exists I suspect for bertholders as holders of a licence. I would have thought by now some form of staff consultation will have taken place but maybe the staff are being made redundant . I would expect the council should have an indemnity from Boatfolk for any redundancy costs on basis they face staff claims. Not certain berthing contracts are assets if the maintenance costs are high ?

 

[Fire99]

I hope everything resolves itself satisfactorily for you and other bertholders. Been there a few times as a visitor and great location, but there must be uncertainty on investment funds.

Thanks a lot. My gut feeling is that for the next year or so it should be ok but infrastructure (pontoons) are getting stretched past their sell by date and the cracks are showing, so to speak. So there will need to be significant investment over the next few years from somewhere. The poor ol can has been kicked down the road about as far as it can be kicked

 

[Fire99]

Statement from Ards & North Down Council who own Bangor Marina and will be operating it from April 1st.
Statement: Bangor Marina and Harbour - Ards and North Down Borough Council

 

[Seastoke]

What about Berth holders ,consortium .

 

[ylop]

What about Berth holders ,consortium .

I’m sure if there was a consortium of berth holders who could put together a convincing business case to the council, were willing to take on the employment liabilities (don’t know how many staff they have) and the ongoing upkeep etc they would get some interest.

If the marina needs investment though it probably needs capital and a brand new consortium might struggle to borrow, especially against an asset it doesn’t actually own.

I’m not sure that just letting the council run it is a bad solution - assuming it’s profitable.

 

[ashtead]

Interesting to know why Boatfolk didn’t renew - I assume there are hidden liabilities for anyone taking on and the rates charged don’t reflect the costs of potential investment - it’s no doubt a lot cheaper than Haslar rates I venture - if a consortium of bertholders could be established I suspect managing such a venture might prove a poisoned chalice - it’s akin to running a tenants management company in a block of flats which is challenging even where people’s homes are involved

 

[PWLS08]

Hamble Parish Council just hiked their portion of my council tax by over 25% this year. All other stakeholders below 6%.

Wonder why?

Because they can? I recently discovered that increases in the Parish Council et al portion of council tax are not subject to the Cap imposed on the other elements. A live issue where I live as we are going to a unitary authority but there are efforts to set up parish councils where there were none. A cycnic might think to perserve a talking shop for self important local politicians that would otherwise just revert to being boring old men/women twitching curtains.

 

[Greg2]

Because they can? I recently discovered that increases in the Parish Council et al portion of council tax are not subject to the Cap imposed on the other elements. A live issue where I live as we are going to a unitary authority but there are efforts to set up parish councils where there were none. A cycnic might think to perserve a talking shop for self important local politicians that would otherwise just revert to being boring old men/women twitching curtains.

To be fair I have found parish councillors to be anything other than self-important local politicians. There are usually vacancies and they rely upon volunteers to fill posts and people who do take it on tend to want to do something for their local community. Our parish council tax element has a higher percentage increase but it is very small in cash terms and the reason is ever increasing costs to do the things they do on our behalf.

 

[Fire99]

Moving things back to Bangor and it's shift to direct Council Management, I wonder if it would be possible (if not likely) for the Marina / Harbour to operate in a similar way to somewhere like Tarbert in Scotland which runs under a form of local Trust with a form of local management. I've been impressed overall how Tarbert is able to function, but I wonder if a similar approach is possible in NI as it is in Scotland?