Agenda item

Declarations of interest: None.

Officers:

James Taylor, Senior Countryside Management Officer, Surrey County Council

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Committee was presented with the proposed changes to both navigation fees and mooring charges for the Basingstoke Canal. The Senior Countryside Management Officer outlined that this report was following the Committee’s discussions around the topic at the June 2012 meeting. The Committee was informed that following four years of capital investment by both local authorities, it was felt an appropriate time for the Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) to update its charging policy.

2.    It was identified by officers that consideration had to be given around how to get best value out of the use of the Canal, while also wishing to maintain a charging scheme that was comparable to other waterways. The Committee was informed that the current Canal Asset Management Plan estimated that a works budget of £250,000 was required to maintain the Canal at an optimal state. Against this recommended figure there was an identified deficit in the current BCA works budget of £110,000. The proposed charges would be a means of addressing some of this deficit. The view was expressed that a historical tendency to undercharge had been a contributory factor in the decline of the Canal as an asset.

3.    The Committee was told that the proposed changes to mooring charges would have a two year introductory period for existing mooring licence holders. Members praised the consideration given to those who already held mooring licences.

4.    Officers informed the Committee that the proposed navigation fees were intended to meet the cost of managing the waterway. Navigation would be facilitated through the employment of casual lock-keepers. The Committee heard that a standing charge would be implemented for powered craft based on the area of the Canal the boat usually moored on, to be augmented by either an annual or a pay-as-you go scheme for passage through the four controlled sets of locks. Officers went on to outline the individual proposed charges as outlined in the report. 

5.    The Committee was told that the projected costs of navigation took into account the reduction in hours that the Canal would be in navigable to 16 days per month.

6.    The Committee recognised that the report was informed by a greater need to ensure the BCA was recovering its costs. The view was expressed that the capital investments made by both local authorities had been a significant contributory factor in the improvement of the Canal, and that there was now a need to ensure that users of the Canal were contributing to its maintenance and upkeep.

7.    Members asked whether boat owners on the Canal were required to have third party insurance. It was confirmed that this was part of the navigation policy already in place, and that every vessel was required to comply with the national Boat Safety Scheme.

8.    A query was raised with regards to enforcement and projected administration costs of the proposed charges. It was confirmed by the Canal Manager that the current administrative processes required a high level of resources, and that any change in this process would also need additional input in this regard. The intention was to move to an online booking system in the future. Enforcement was acknowledged as an important issue, and the Canal Manager stated that these procedures were being refined in anticipation of the Committee approving the proposed changes. The Committee was informed that there would need to be further review of local bylaws to ensure that enforcement was carried out in an effective manner.

9.    Members raised concerns around the absence of publicity regarding the days that the Canal would be navigable over the summer. It was confirmed by officers that there was an undertaking to update the publicity available and that other local media would be considered in raising the profile of the Canal.

10.  The Committee took a vote on the decision to implement the revised navigation fees and mooring charges for the BCA. It was unanimously agreed.

Resolved:

a)    That the Committee approve an increase in Mooring Fees to match those charged on the River Wey as shown in Appendix 1, and authorise the BCA to collect the fees on behalf of the two County Councils and expend the proceeds in maintaining the Canal.

b)    That the Committee authorise the BCA to conduct a phased implementation of increases for mooring fees to existing customers over a 2 year period.

c)    That the Committee authorise the BCA to invest any additional income generated from mooring fees during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial year in creating new on-line mooring sites for use as a home bases for pleasure craft (not to be used for residential use except as ancillary to leisure use).

d)    That the Committee authorise the BCA to charge a navigation licence fee based on actual costs of implementing the Navigation Policy (as detailed in Appendix 5).

Actions/further information to be provided:

Officers to prepare a communications plan regarding the proposed changes to the Canal’s navigable hours.

Committee Next Steps:

The Committee will review the bylaws currently in effect, in order to facilitate the introduction of the new navigation fees and their enforcement.