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MP wants answers over increased harbour fees

BBC Rachel Gilmour is standing just to the right of the frame. She's wearing a Russian-style light brown hat, and a black puffer jacket. Behind her is Minehead harbour at high tide with boats bobbing on the water. In the distance, you can see the Butlins tent.BBC
Minehead's MP Rachel Gilmour wants to speak to the council

An MP has demanded answers over changes to fees at a town's harbour, which has forced a sailing club to stop operating.

Minehead Sailing Club said the change of having to pay a one-off fee of £120 a year, to a fee of £198 per member to use the slipway, resulted in 25 people leaving the club.

The town's Liberal Democrat MP Rachel Gilmour, said there is a "wonderful sailing and kayak community" in the town, adding: "They just want to go back to what they used to do."

Somerset Council said it had to run the harbour on a "cost-neutral basis".

"Harbour legislation and the local byelaws allow us to raise dues to maintain and improve infrastructure within the harbour for the benefit all users," the council added.

"The charges for using the infrastructure and slipway enable us to meet our requirements under the Port Marine Safety Code

"We have always been open to positive engagement and discussion and continue to be so.

"We are in contact with Rachel Gilmour MP and are hoping for a meeting with her at the earliest opportunity."

The Minehead harbour is at high tide. A row of four boats in the centre of the frame are floating on the water, while others rest nearby. At the top of the photo you can see the harbourside buildings and beyond those, the bottom of North Hill.
The fee to use the harbour slipway was increased by the council in April

In April the council introduced a new charge for its slipway of £16 per launch, including paddleboards, canoes and sailing dinghies.

Mrs Gilmour said she has asked for information from the council through a series of Freedom of Information requests.

Mrs Gilmour said: "Of course there's an argument about the cost of upkeep, but if you look around, it's all a bit sad and I don't feel like anyone other than the community has put their heart into it [the harbour]."

The harbour at high tide looking out towards the Bristol Channel. Boats are dotted around, while a handful of swimmers make use of the rising tide. In the distance you can see Butlins, and the hills of the Quantocks.
Mrs Gilmour said the state of the harbour is 'sad'

She is also questioning the removal of two 300-year-old historical cannons from the quayside last year, and has askes Somerset Council where the cannons are, and if retrospective planning permission had been granted for their removal.

Somerset Council said: "We have received an FOI in relation to the removal of Cannons on Minehead Harbour which was sent on Rachel Gilmour's behalf by her caseworker.

"An acknowledgement was sent on 19 November, and the case is in progress."

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