Controversial dinghy fees to go from River Hamble (From Daily Echo)

Controversial dinghy fees to go from River Hamble

11:19am Thursday 28th January 2010 in

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CONTROVERSIAL boat charges have been blown out of the water after a four-year battle.

Harbour dues imposed on sailing dinghies using the River Hamble are set to be scrapped.

It is a victory for Warsash Sailing Club which has been fighting to get the charges axed since the Harbour Authority introduced them in 2006.

The club was ready to take its fight to the Secretary of State for Transport but agreed to drop that threat if a select committee was set up to allow both sides to sit down and settle the matter, without the costs of a Public Inquiry.

As a result of discussions the committee has recommended to the Harbour Authority that sailing dinghies should be zero-rated, exempting them from paying harbour dues of up to £25 a year.

Michael Sterne, pictured, honorary secretary of Warsash Sailing Club, said: “We are very pleased with this outcome and believe that the select committee has been a great success.

“A public inquiry would have been very expensive for both sides, so we were eager to sit down with the authority and settle these matters locally.

“Scrapping the charges will be a great boost for the area, with more younger people going out onto the water, not being discouraged by unfair dues.”

The River Hamble Harbour Authority introduced the charge for dinghies to cover increasing costs, with last year’s accounts showing a 37 per cent increase in expenditure, compared to only an 18 per cent increase in income.

But the select committee was able to agree on other ways of boosting income and cutting costs, without charging dinghies.

They include a recommendation to remove the limit on the number of moorings and for the Harbour Authority to focus its attention on improving facilities for river users and seek funding to help with issues such as conservation.

If these measures are implemented the authority could reap in a £140,000 surplus, which can be used to help reduce harbour dues in the future.

Chairman of the committee, Councillor Sean Woodward added: “The select committee achieved consensus on a number of matters which are vital to the future management of the harbour.

“Its recommendation will enable the Harbour Authority to focus on value for money and enhancing facilities for harbour users, in addition to its statutory duties to ensure safe navigation and protect the river’s unique environment.”

The Harbour Board meet on March 26.