TMBA
New member
Last autumn, in response to the EA consultation re charges for 2014, the TMBA called for a review of EA Navigation Charges.
http://www.tmba.org.uk/20-september-2013-tmba-calls-for-review-of-ea-navigation-charges/
but we really do need the support of a significant body of powered craft owners if we are to take this forward.
Towards the end of last year the TMBA moved to subscription based membership - currently just £5 for 2014 - and now has over 100 paid up members, all of whom directly contribute to the cost of running the navigation through their EA Licence fees.
The TMBA also now has a seat on the EA's Thames Navigation User Forum and a real opportunity to influence attitudes and policy, not just with the EA but also with other river user groups whose objectives may not necessarily be in the best interest of motor boaters.
With some 9,000 registered powered craft on the non tidal Thames a 4 figure membership should be easily achievable - and
every new member is a demonstrable call for change.
Regardless of how well we articulate our concerns our real strength must arise from the size of our membership so, if you are not already a member, please join us and help boost our numbers to a level where we simply cannot be ignored.
Joining Information on the TMBA website: www.tmba.org.uk/register
http://www.tmba.org.uk/20-september-2013-tmba-calls-for-review-of-ea-navigation-charges/
This call for a root and branch overhaul of the charging structure and the way the navigation is financed forms a central plank of the TMBA's objectivesWe wish to convey our concern that in recent years we have continued to face above inflation increases in licence fees whilst experiencing continuing reductions in services.
These increases are, effectively, arbitrary, in that they meet no specific budgetary objectives other than to marginally increase revenue.
In no way are the increases able to compensate for the reductions in GIA and we see no evidence of any serious initiatives to recognise and develop significant new revenue streams which are clearly essential if the current pressures on services are to be addressed.
At the present time it is powered craft that continue to be the largest single group of net revenue contributors.
A serious root and branch review of all river usage and revenue contribution is long overdue. The contributions paid by some other users of the river both as a venue and as a resource are completely unacceptable.
Now that the decision has been taken to defer possible transfer of the waterway to the C&RT it is essential that there be a firm plan of action to address the whole issue of sustained funding for the river.
but we really do need the support of a significant body of powered craft owners if we are to take this forward.
Towards the end of last year the TMBA moved to subscription based membership - currently just £5 for 2014 - and now has over 100 paid up members, all of whom directly contribute to the cost of running the navigation through their EA Licence fees.
The TMBA also now has a seat on the EA's Thames Navigation User Forum and a real opportunity to influence attitudes and policy, not just with the EA but also with other river user groups whose objectives may not necessarily be in the best interest of motor boaters.
With some 9,000 registered powered craft on the non tidal Thames a 4 figure membership should be easily achievable - and
every new member is a demonstrable call for change.
Regardless of how well we articulate our concerns our real strength must arise from the size of our membership so, if you are not already a member, please join us and help boost our numbers to a level where we simply cannot be ignored.
Joining Information on the TMBA website: www.tmba.org.uk/register
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