Whilst NABO and RBOA happily hold the pot for CRT to piss in, at least one group is making an effort to hold the trust to account.
Dear Members and Friends,
Those of you on Canal & River Trust (CRT) waterways may have received an
email or a letter from CRT with the consultation questionnaire for CRT's
review of boat licensing.
This consultation contains two proposals to increase the cost of a boat
licence without a home mooring. There is no legal justification for this.
Increasing the licence fee for Bargee Travellers will drive some of our
community off the water and into homelessness. We believe that this is
another attempt by CRT to drive Bargee Travellers off its waterways.
The NBTA is opposed to all increases in boat licence fees, except for
increases in line with inflation. We don't believe that CRT should use
licensing to make harder for some boat dwellers to live on the water, and
we don't believe that the way boat dwellers are treated by CRT, especially
those without home moorings, justifies a fee increase. The NBTA is
considering further action including demonstrations and protests. In the
mean time we also attach some posters for boat windows, sharing on
Facebook or to paint on the side of your boat or somewhere else.
Please complete the consultation questionnaire opposing any increase in
the licence fee for boats without a home mooring and for widebeams. The
most important questions are 24, 25 and 26 (increases in fees without a
home mooring) and 1 (increased fees for widebeams). Also important are
question 14 (proposals to get rid of the prompt payment discount that many
rely on to make the licence affordable) and question 27 (phasing in any
increases over a set period).
Attached is a short example consultation response with the tick boxes
filled in. It does not include answers to the questions that ask for
suggestions, opinions and comments. The NBTA will be circulating a full
example consultation response and analysis of the proposals as soon as
possible. The consultation ends at midnight on Monday December 18th 2017,
so if you wish to wait for the NBTA's full suggested consultation
response, you will still have enough time to get your questionnaire in
before the deadline.
If you need a paper copy of the survey, you can get one by phoning CRT's
main number 0303 040 4040 then Option 3. Also phone CRT if you have not
received a link to the survey and you want a link to complete it online.
However you may be able to complete the survey online using this link
without needing to wait for CRT to send you a link:
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CRT-Licensing-Consultation-2017There is a blank copy of the questionnaire to download here
www.bargee-traveller.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Licensing_Consultation_2017.pdfif you need to read it through and think about the questions before you
respond.
If you need to discuss this consultation with the NBTA, you are welcome to
ring 0118 321 4128 or email secretariat@bargee-traveller.org.uk.
Best regards,
Pamela Smith
NBTA Chair