§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the terms of reference are of British Waterways Project Clearwater. [70147]
§ Mr. MeacherProject Clearwater is British Waterway's IT modernisation strategy which secured Departmental approval earlier this year. The project provides a business management system to improve BW's efficiency and to enhance its customer service.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation has been carried out by British Waterways on their latest review of mooring charges. [70150]
§ Mr. MeacherBritish Waterways have advised that a national review of mooring rates was formally announced in December 2001, following routine consultation meetings and exchanges with national user groups representing boating interests.
A number of national user groups wished to see the previous "matrix score" pricing system retained. Their views were carefully considered, but BW took the view that the matrix did not allow sufficient flexibility for comparison to the private sector and market demand.
All BW moorers were sent details of the increases and the policy underlying them in February. A minimum period of six weeks was allowed for feedback. BW have held discussions with individual boaters and in some cases, have postponed the renewal of mooring permits to allow additional time for consideration.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria are applied by British Waterways in determining a market rent for residential and non-residential moorings. [70149]
§ Mr. MeacherBritish Waterways' Framework Document requires it to charge a market rate for its services as far as practicable. British Waterway's local waterway management units maintain data about all moorings in the area, both those owned by BW and by others. Comparison of this data, together with an assessment of market trends, informs decisions on setting rates.
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what average price for(a) residential and (b) non"residential moorings was charged by British Waterways in each region in England in 2001–02. [70143]
§ Mr. MeacherBritish Waterways have advised that since the majority of their residential moorings are concentrated in London, they do not normally compile this data by region. The average charge for a residential mooring for a 21 metre boat in London in 2001–02 was £2,647. The average charge for a non-residential mooring was £2,079.
260W
§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average percentage change has been in residential and non-residential mooring fees in London since 1997; and what average percentage change is planned for 2002–03.[70145]
§ Mr. MeacherBritish Waterways have provided the following information. The average rate based on the number of customers is set out below.
1997 actual 2001 acutal 2002–03 palnned Residential £1,797 £2,715 £3,285 Non residential £1,919 £2,797 £2,943 Prices shown are for a 21 metre vessel inclusive of VAT.
This includes data relating to new sites established since 1997. Rates for these sites have been set at relative market rates and have resulted in an increase in average mooring rates. The percentage change since 1997 is 47.7 per cent. The mooring rates for 2002–03 will result in a percentage change of 8 per cent. Historic data for private operators is not available.