Electricity Charges Communication Royal Harbour Marina Red Diesel Update Dear waterways supporter, Please find below a joint communication from The Inland Waterways Association, Royal Yachting Association and British Marine Federation released today, concerning how the end of the derogation on Red Diesel will be implemented and the arrangements for users making declarations at point of sale. <quote> Red Diesel update 12 September 2008 The BMF, RYA and IWA are pleased to provide an update on how the end of the derogation will be implemented as of 1 November 2008. Introduction We have been working closely with HM Revenue & Customs since early 2007 to produce a pragmatic and sensible solution to the implementation of the end of the derogation. Prior to that, from 2003, we successfully lobbied Government to seek the retention of the derogation but this was rejected by the European Commission in favour of its tax harmonisation agenda. Once it was confirmed that the derogation had to come to an end, our key concerns were to: · Secure the continued availability of diesel at the waterside · Minimise the impact on the boater and industry · Avoid safety and environmental implications of transporting fuel by hand In February of this year, when HMRC published its outline proposals, we were pleased to see that our efforts had succeeded and that all of these concerns had been taken into account, particularly by allowing recreational boaters to continue to use red diesel. Since then, we have been endeavouring to ensure that the detail of HMRC’s proposals is as simple and as effective as possible. Successful Co-operation The BMF, RYA, IWA and HMRC all agree that it was disappointing that the derogation was not renewed by the European Commission, despite what we all considered to be a very strong case. We also all agreed that the end of the derogation presented considerable difficulties in terms of implementation. We are very pleased, however, that the BMF, RYA, IWA and HMRC have been able to work together successfully on behalf of the industry and recreational boaters. HMRC has been very receptive to the concerns of suppliers and users and has managed the consultation process well. HMRC Conclusions · HMRC accepted the overwhelming wish of both suppliers and users that red diesel should continue to be available to recreational boaters. · The loss of the derogation will only affect fuel used for propulsion, which will be subject to the full rate of duty. · Red diesel at the rebated rate will continue to be available for domestic purposes, such as heating and lighting. How will it work? 1. When recreational boaters buy diesel for their craft, they will need to make a declaration to the supplier if they intend the fuel to be used for propelling a private pleasure craft. 2. The recreational boater will also declare what percentage of the fuel will be used for propulsion (as opposed to domestic purposes such as heating and lighting). How will the boater work out what percentage of fuel they intend to use for propulsion? HMRC has understood our arguments about the potential difficulties for fuel suppliers in calculating duty and VAT – in particular for the smaller operators – when faced with customers claiming different percentages of fuel used for propulsion. HMRC also appreciates the concerns of users about the difficulty of calculating and apportioning their own intended usage accurately and their worries about unintentionally making an inaccurate declaration. However, the EU Energy Products Directive specifically refers to ‘fuel for the purposes of navigation’ (which is reflected in UK law as ‘fuel for propelling’), so there is no legal basis for imposing a single standard apportionment to be applied universally that pays no regard to actual usage for propulsion. HMRC has therefore confirmed to the BMF, RYA, and IWA that their advice on this issue is as follows: Q. What will be the allowance for fuel used on boats for heating and lighting? A. There is no fixed allowance. It is for the purchaser to declare the percentage of fuel used for propulsion. However, analysis by both the industry and HMRC suggests that a split of 60% for propulsion and 40% for domestic use (heating, cooking etc) probably reflects most people’s use and it is therefore likely that many users will declare such an apportionment. This will make it easier for suppliers (known as Registered Dealers in Controlled Oils) to work out additional duty and VAT. However, where a purchaser knows that their propulsion use may be more or less than the above apportionment split or a craft clearly has no domestic use, then they must declare their actual intended usage. Q. What about residential boat owners where nearly all fuel is for domestic purposes – what can they declare? A. We have recognised the status of residential boat owners whose primary residence is their boat. Some of these will be at fixed moorings or move just a very short distance along the towpath from permanent moorings. If they live aboard the craft permanently and hold certain documentation, such as a Houseboat Licence, Residential Mooring Licence, Council Tax Bill in respect of the mooring, or other peripheral documentation, invoices or bills which provides proof of permanent residency, they may purchase all their fuel at the rebated rate (as if they were a commercial vessel). They will still be required to make and sign a declaration saying that 0% of the fuel is for propelling purposes. It will be the responsibility of the declarant to ensure that they hold the requisite documentation should HMRC wish to check the validity of the declaration made in these circumstances. Continuous cruisers may not declare 0% under these arrangements, even if they reside permanently on their craft, they must declare their actual intended usage for propulsion. Registered Dealers in Controlled Oils (RDCO) will need to account to HMRC for the additional duty received from recreational boaters. RDCOs already owe a general duty of care to ensure that they only make supplies of controlled oil for legitimate uses. Further Information We will continue to work with HMRC to provide support to suppliers and users over the next few months. RYA and IWA will provide guidance to their members and the BMF will offer an information service for industry. HMRC has confirmed that it will provide supplementary guidance to RDCOs and that its emphasis as the new measures bed in will be to help and advise suppliers and users to get things right. <end of quote>
Jo
Gilbertson
The
Inland Waterways Association
|
||
|
|
||
|
RMA – HARBOUR USER GROUP Notes made following the Harbour Users Group Meeting held on Tuesday 1st July 2008; the meeting was chaired by Councillor Mike Roberts (MR), deputising for Councillor Roger Latchford. MR indicated that he would be taking a more active role in ensuring a promising future for the Royal Harbour, in particular advocating the formation of a Harbour Board and the ring fencing of harbour income. (See also Municipal Ports Review, below) (MR admitted that this idea does not currently have a majority on TDC. Dredging Some additional dredging will be carried out in the turning circle in July. Tenders have not yet been obtained for the 3 year dredging contract; this is caused by a delay in obtaining a permit to dispose of the dredged materials. (returning sand to where it came from!). Assurances were given that this 3 year programme will proceed. A number of yachts have run aground in the West Outer harbour. A chart showing the areas already dredged has been previously promised but not yet delivered. Wind Farms Warwick Energy plan to start construction of the Thanet wind farm in October/November. The construction base will be either Harwich or Dunkirk but Ramsgate will be the maintenance base with service boats using the link span facilities in the Ferry Port. The London Array is still active but delayed by 12 months since Shell is seeking to sell its interest. Municipal Ports Review TDC is carrying out this Review which contains non binding recommendations. Report due at the end of 2008 (See Google results and in particular the report already completed by Weymouth) Other matters (a) All safety ladders are to be fitted with 2m poles and red flags (as seen in Breskens) (b) Quotations are to be obtained to convert the security gate at the Dock Office to a powered operation. (c) The pump out facility is to be installed by the end of July. (d) Ramsgate Week will have a record number of competitors. (e) The fishermen are hoping to build a better fish landing facility. This would involve a pontoon adjacent to the travel lift and a small crane. (f) This year’s water ski championships may be the last because it costs TDC too much.
Notes from the Harbour Users Group Meeting held on Thursday 13th December; the meeting was chaired by Councillor Roger Latchford which was very helpful.
Dredging
The Ramsgate dredger has been sold; in future all dredging will be carried out by Contractors.
In January/February 2008 the Eastern Marina in the Outer Harbour will be dredged by 6000 cubic metres as a one off exercise.
Tenders are to be obtained for a 3 year dredging contract to remove 24000 cubic metres a year from the Royal Harbour, including the Inner Marina. The plan is to phase the work so that the whole harbour is dredged over the 3 year period (and hopefully every 3 years after that)
Flares
Estuary Services (Pilot Boats) are organising training sessions for the firing of flares from the beach. They have invited members to take part if they wish. Dates and details to follow.
Harbour regeneration
TDC is actively working on the regeneration of the harbour, tentative plans include:
(a) the construction of an alongside berth in the Ferry Port to support the construction of the London Array wind farm. (b) a Ramsgate Boat Show (mini Southampton) (c) more regattas (organised by RTYC) (d) improvements to the Museum and in particular the Cervia (e) the construction of a fishing harbour
Other matters
(a) Two sets of recycling bind are to be provided for 2008 (b) RMA is to meet in January with Captain Evans to finalise the arrangements for the supply of electricity for 2008. (c) A new oil recycling facility is to be provided.
Notes of a meeting attended by Captain Dominic Evans, Tim Peacock and Brian Marchbank on Friday 20th July 2007 1. Electricity ChargesDE agreed in principle that electricity would be metered from 1st April 2008. The basis of charges would be a unit charge equal to the actual cost paid by TDC for the electricity plus a meter charge to include a contribution to the cost of the meters and a service charge for meter reading etc. It is probable that the meters will be mounted in the electricity pedestals, computer controlled and read, with individual PINs for each user. A further discussion to agree the likely meter charge to be arranged after quotations for the installation have been received (by the end of August). 2. Internet Wi-FI Installation A new Wi-Fi installation, to cover the whole of the harbour, will be installed in the next few weeks. This has been financed by the Supplier who takes the whole risk and responsibility. 3. B2 Buoy The Cross Ledge sands appear to have extended out to the NW. DE to arrange for the B2 buoy to be moved approximately 2 cables to the NW. 4. Dredging At the request of the Harbour Users Group, DE is to arrange a meeting with John Bunnett, the TDC executive responsible for the Harbour. This meeting will take place at LWS, probably at 08.00 on Friday 28th September so that Mr Bunnett can see the silted nature of the harbour and the urgent need for a dredging programme. 5. East Marina The concrete outer pontoon of the East Marina is in a filthy state with seagull droppings. DE stated that this pontoon is cleaned fortnightly during the season. Experiments with audible bird scarers have not proven to be successful. 6. Harbour Staff The most frequent complaint received by the RMA is in respect of the negative attitude of the harbour staff. DE confirmed that they were empowered to make decisions and undertook to work towards a more positive customer oriented attitude. 7. Outer Western Marina The problem of visitor berthing remains unsatisfactory. Occasionally there is no answer. on vh |
||
|
|
||
|
|