Just read this elsewhere from a member of IWA council. Sorry it's so long and I hope the author won't mind me posting it here!
"At the recent Boating Issues meeting, BW indicated they planned to Market Test moorings by auction.
BW subsequently invited IWA, AWCC, RBOA, DBA and NABO to a follow up meeting to discuss more detail of BW's plans to auction moorings via the internet.
DBA and NABO declined to attend the follow up meeting as a protest against the imposition of a scheme with which they did not agree.
Following the strong representations made by IWA and AWCC representatives at the Boating Issues meeting, BW confirmed today that they now intended to 'market test' using a postal system of 'sealed bids', although there will be the facility to view papers and to submit an 'secure' electronic bid should people so wish. .
It was agreed that all Bids will be opened in a central place on a set date and time, and that the highest bidder will be deemed successful, subject to satisfactory credit clearances.
Full notes of the detail of today's meeting will be circulated shortly, but below is a brief summary of the process discussed.
Clear contract terms will be published in a 'marketing pack' which will provide the appropriate address labels and bid forms. Printed copies of the Pack will be made available on Registration following from an invitation advert in the boating press, through Clubs and Associations and via notices at Waterways Offices. All persons currently on 'moorings waiting lists' will automatically be invited to apply for a Registration Pack. [Mooring waiting lists will then be 'frozen' during the trial] Initial registration will be for the trial period of one year.] Others will also be eligible to apply for a pack as they so wish.] A small charge will be made for the Registration Pack to cover printing, packing and postage.
Vacancy statements will be mailed out to all who have registered to take part in the trial.The only moorings omitted from the trial will be those which are short term, i.e. where the mooring site is likely to be closed.
Thereafter, once the 'Offerings' are known, it is up to the individual whether they bid or not. Registration will assure all invitations to bid for individual 'offerings' will be provided for the year. [People can stipulate their chosen area for 'offerings'.]
Mooring contracts will be offered for a period of 3 years, and the deal fixed at the bid price. All such mooring contracts will be renewable by the original purchaser at the end of the three year term, provided the holder has paid regularly and met the contract terms. All moorings will be to a person and will not be transferable between persons. [This means that the person can change boats on the mooring, but the contract is personal to them and them alone, and they cannot 'sell' it or otherwise dispose of it.] The price for the renewal of the mooring, after the end of the first three years, will be based on the prevailing price at that time of similar local moorings. All moorings offered under the scheme will be detailed on Offer Sheets and the local facilities available will be fully detailed in the specification circulated when offers are sought.
It is anticipated that the national trial will start in the Autumn and run
for initially one year, but the first six months operation will be subject to a detailed review. BW will reserve the right to continue with the scheme after that time or, subject to reasonable notice, revert back to the old 'waiting lists' regime."
Do BW have a legal right to auction moorings?