Changes to Membership Fees and Storage Charges

Published 22:26 on 29 Dec 2023

In order to maintain the day-to-day upkeep of the club, covering depreciation and accounting for the general inflation of running costs, 2024 will see a small increase in both membership subscription fees and storage charges at SGBA.

Highlights are as follows:

• a small increase (between £10 and £20) to subscription fees for annual membership categories
• removal of the opt-in boat use fee, now incorporated into all memberships
• similarly small increases (between £5 and £15) to each annual storage charge
• working towards a greater overhaul of membership categories in 2025, to accommodate the wider range of family circumstances that make up our membership (subject to consultation at 2024's AGM)

Annual Membership Fee Increases (and Boat Use)

The following table shows the increases in annual membership fees for 2024, per category.

Note that the 2023 subscriptions include the £40 boat use fee, which will now be incorporated into all memberships as standard. The vast majority of SGBA members already opt in to the boat use fee, which enables us to maintain our club fleet - a core part of our charitable objective as a community boating association. As a result, we are able to keep SGBA's resources more accessible to all by incorporating boat use across the board. For now, the small number of memberships who did not opt in to boat use in 2023 will be offered a special 'opt-out' policy.

Future Changes

We are aware that current subscription categories (Single, Joint, Family) are not representative of the diverse family circumstances and living situations across the demographic of SGBA members. For this reason, we are looking towards a greater restructuring of membership categories, for implementation in 2025.

The changes projected for 2025 will be more inclusive of larger family groups. However, benefits will not just be limited to those previously holding 'Family' subscriptions - it is our aim that the restructured membership system will be fairer and more flexible for all SGBA members.

However, we are approaching these changes carefully, and will spend time during 2024 modelling the financial impacts and benefits of any new membership structure. We will be consulting with members during the 2024 season about these ideas, and will share further plans at the club's 2024 AGM.

Annual Storage Charge Increases

The following table details increases to annual storage charges with SGBA.

Historically, our storage charges have been far lower than equivalent organisations on the River Dart - for example, in 2023 Dart Harbour charged £112 for a 'toast rack' slot, as opposed to £30 with SGBA. Despite the outlined increase for 2024, SGBA's charges remain incredibly competitive in comparison. We have maintained this principle of low-cost, accessible storage, whilst ensuring we are able to financially cover the the club's communal assets and relevant activities.

Last updated 22:29 on 29 December 2023