RYA Scotland statement on proposed Clydeport Conservancy Fee: Update 6th Dec

There was a hybrid meeting of the Cross Party Group for Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism held on 27th November at Holyrood with other participants joining online. MSPs Stuart McMillan, Clare Adamson and Kenneth Gibson were present as well as a further 39 participants representing a great many organisations based in the Clyde and throughout Scotland. The main agenda item was the proposed Conservancy Fee to be imposed on recreational boaters in the Clydeport area by Peel Ports. Many representatives and individuals shared their views but there was a consensus that the early proposals from Peel Ports were unjustified and impractical and risked damaging the Scottish marine tourism sector. 

As a result of the meeting a Press Release has been widely circulated and an Open Letter sent to the Port Director Clydeport. Further steps have been taken to prepare a formal report to brief MSPs on the situation and also enquiries made with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre about potential legislative routes for resolving this issue.

We will continue to represent the concerns of the Scottish recreational boating sector as this issue evolves.