UNPAID bills have left cash-stricken Newlyn harbour bosses thousands of pounds in the red.

Fees for the pontoon, dating back to April 2009, totalling £20,000 are owed to the town's Pier and Harbour Commission. But those behind the body hope to recover most of the outstanding charges to give it a much-needed boost – and one man has a plan to help them.

The commission opened its books at a meeting last week and proved it has taken on a significant debt from the previous administration.

The harbour's turnover increased from £536,000 to £711,000, but the huge deficit it inherited means it's still some £87,000 overdrawn.

 

Harbour staff have not had a pay rise in three years and several buildings are in pressing need of repairs, the meeting heard. Hikes in insurance and rates have also hit hard, while income from car park charges and yacht charges have only increased by £1,460 and £2,900 respectively.

Of particular concern is the money owed by those using the pontoon, after charges were introduced last year.

Chairman Gilbert McCabe said: "Not being paid that is causing us some difficulty. We have sent out a letter giving 30 days to pay and we think we should be able to realistically collect 80 per cent, if not more.

"Most users of the harbour have paid and therefore it is unfair on those who have already paid. If they can't pay or won't pay, we reserve the right to take from their landings or whatever."

The commission was urged to consider charging in advance by fisherman Andrew Pascoe.

"Things got out of control with management – at least eight boats I know of have not received a bill yet," he said.

"Start afresh and pay in advance which is so much easier for you to manage. You said you would reclaim it from fishing landings – the ones that don't land fish, how are you going to get it from them?"

The charges were put in mainly to cover the costs of the fish market, but confusion has been caused by the inclusion of yachts; Mr Pascoe warned some were slipping through the net with the current system.

"It has been such a free-for-all since the pontoon opened," he continued. "They are not full-time fishermen, they don't bring money into the port through landings but they are moored on the pontoon 12 months of the year. The same old people pay their dues and others are getting away with it.

"I would like to see the charges paid in advance like it is in the rest of the country. This is a management plan that has been used in every pontoon in every country.

"We should be reviewing the fees and charges so we can present it properly to those who have to pay them," commissioner John Lambourn told The Cornishman.

 

article copyright THE CORNISHMAN