A SOMERSET sailing club has been unable to operate for four months following a row over rising mooring fees.

The Minehead Sailing and Watersports Club, a not-for-profit charity run entirely by volunteers, was forced to cease all operations on April 2 when it learned that its charity concession on harbour fees had been revoked.

The club, which has been active for more than 60 years, has lambasted a lack of consultation over the fee increase and attacked the “complete apathy” on the part of Captain Jessica Tyson, the acting Somerset harbour master.

Ms Tyson has responded that the fees had been approved by Somerset councillors six months ago without a strong backlash, and said she would welcome an upcoming external review into the matter.

Members of the public raised the issue at a meeting of the council’s harbour management advisory committee in Taunton on July 29.

Club secretary Debbie Allum, in a statement read out on her behalf, said: “We were told in writing that there is no further discussion on fees by Dave Coles.

“We offered a 66 per cent increase in slipway fees in order that we could continue to run the not-for-profit community harbour charity that has been on the harbour for 66 years. This was rejected.

“Our charity remains closed. No-one here in the harbour is content, or getting any dialogue.

“Burnham-on-Sea Boat Club, under the same unitary authority, pays £171 per year. We would be prepared to match this – but no-one will explain why we are not able to do so.”

Ms Allum alleged that Ms Tyson had misled the public by claiming the fee increase was in line with other harbours throughout the West Country.

She said: “We were told by the assistant harbour master that he and Jessica had been all round the south west checking that the new fees were in line with other harbours.

“This cannot be true. I have done exactly that, many don’t charge at all for non-motorized activities; Lynmouth and Combe Martin, for example, are free.

“We remain one of the most expensive slipways in the UK, with the least facilities.

“Last Thursday lunchtime [July 25] in Combe Martin, there were 27 kayaks and paddle boards in use. I haven’t seen that many in Minehead Harbour this year.

“Captain Tyson’s statement demonstrates that there is complete apathy by the harbour authority about the dire situation in Minehead Harbour.

“One of the biggest commercial fishing vessels left the harbour forever this month. The cafés are empty, the car parks and harbour deserted, and all the charity’s kayaks, small sailing boats, dinghies, paddle boards, rowing boats and other non-motorized equipment are dormant.

“The slipway is locked, and angry people who have paid for access are on the phone trying to obtain codes to access their equipment, often without success.

“Will the harbour authority please commit today to urgently appeal to Somerset Council to reverse their disastrous decision to put profit before people?”

Allan Dyer said the fee increase had been “out of the blue” and said significant increases or other changes “should not be presented to stakeholders as a fait accompli“.

He added: “Why was the stakeholder meeting held after the introduction of the new charges? Why was there no prior consultation?

“There is significant evidence that users are unhappy.”

Ms Tyson responded and said: “Officers and the lead members previously offered to engage with the club. Following extensive correspondence, it was proposed to introduce a specific club rate of £20 per year per kayak for club members, rather than the standard slipways fees being payable.

“This was communicated to the club. We also reduced the day launch fee for non-club members for a kayak to £10, and introduced a weekly launch fee of £40. The changes have been made to the fees and charges to reflect this.

“Minehead is a municipal port. The council as the statutory harbour authority stands by this proposal as a fair and proportionate means to operate the harbour.

“We have been informed that the club intends to make a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

“It is felt that an external review would be appropriate as the club has not been able to accept the council’s position as the statutory harbour authority.”

Ms Tyson said that the increase in charges had been signed off by numerous council committees, including the full council in February as part of its annual budget setting.

She added: “I would also like to put on record that the staff at Minehead Harbour have, in the execution of their duties, dealt with verbal abuse and unacceptable behaviour from some people – and it was felt necessary to call the police to report it.

“It is appropriate for this review to take place and for the council and club to take stock of the outcomes before further engagement.

“The locked slipway was introduced to better control unauthorised access to manage the harbour. Rescue services such as the RNLI have access as needed, and access is granted to members of the public upon payment of appropriate fees.

“There is a waiting list for leisure mooring at Minehead, and these are offered as they become available.

“We aim to maintain and improve Minehead Harbour in line with statutory regulations and guidelines from the government, and we will continue to pursue that goal.”