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River Users Consultative Forums

Introduction

The requirements of both the Port Marine Safety Code and the Trust Ports Review formalised the consultation arrangements ports should have with users and stakeholders. The PLA used this opportunity to strengthen and enhance its own long-standing liaison with river users and established three River User Consultative Forums (RUCFs) - for the Upper, Lower and Estuary areas.

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Objectives

The fundamental objective of the new RUCFs remains substantially the same as that established for the River User Liaison Groups they replaced, namely:

"To ensure that an effective mechanism exists whereby all river users and other stakeholders can be consulted and may represent their views on general and safety issues concerning the use of the tidal Thames for commercial and recreational purposes".

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Structure

The three Forums reflect the differing characteristics of the River and relate to the following areas:

• River User Consultative Forum (Upper) - Teddington to Crayfordness
• River User Consultative Forum (Lower) - Crayfordness to Canvey Island (E)
• River User Consultative Forum (Estuary) - Canvey Island (E) to Outer Limits

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Terms of Reference

The three River User Consultative Forums (Upper, Lower and Estuary) act as:

a)  A forum for raising and discussing issues, including safety, relating to the tidal Thames, relevant to the Port of London Authority.

b)  A vehicle for consultation with the PLA, which contributes to meeting the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code and the Guide to Good Governance.

c)  A sub-committee of the South East District Marine Safety Committee, in continuation of the role of the former River User Liaison Groups.

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Administration

a)  Each Forum will normally comprise appropriate staff officers from the PLA and other statutory bodies, together with representatives from bona fide associations, groups and other organisations of the port/river community, other stakeholders and beneficiaries.

b)  The PLA District Harbour Master will normally chair the relevant Forum. In his absence, the Deputy Harbour Master will take the chair.

c)  Each Forum will normally meet on a six-monthly basis, in the spring and autumn. Extra-ordinary meetings may be called as and when necessary.

d)  The PLA will provide a Secretary for each Forum. Notes of meetings will be circulated to members, in addition to being placed on the PLA web site. Agendas and supporting papers will be circulated, where possible, at least two weeks before the next meeting and also placed on the web site.

e)  In the interests of equity and efficient working, representation will be limited to one member from each association, group or organisation.

f)  Where an organisation not normally represented considers that attendance is merited, either temporary or permanently, application should be made to the relevant Forum chair.

g)  Where an existing body or organisation does not represent an element of the river/port community, the PLA will be pleased to liaise with the group concerned with a view to facilitating an agreed mechanism for such representation.

h)  Practicality also dictates that private individuals cannot be accommodated. Where however, an individual wishes to have his/her views considered by a Forum, and where no existing member can reasonably represent those views, submission should again be made in writing to the relevant Chairman. Where appropriate, an invitation to attend a future meeting will be extended.

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Current Membership

RUCF (Upper)

• Amateur Rowing Association
• Association of Thames Yacht Club
• British Boating Federation
• British Canoe Union
• British Marine Aggregate Producers Association
• Chas Newens Marine
• Company of Watermen & Lightermen
• Environment Agency (Recreation)
• Environment Agency (Thames Barrier)
• Greater London Authority
• Inland Waterways Association
• London Emergency Planning and Fire Authority
• London Home and Water Safety Council
• London Port Health Authority
• London River Services
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency - Orpington
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency - Thames
• Metropolitan Police - Marine Support Unit
• National Association of Boat Owners
• Residential Boat Owners Association
• River Association for Freight and Transport
• River Thames Society
• Royal Yachting Association
• Society of Thames Mudlarks
• Thames Regional Rowing Council
• Transport & General Workers Union

(26)

RUCF (Lower)

• Amateur Rowing Association
• Apostleship of the Sea 
• Association of Thames Yacht Clubs
• Boroughs of Dartford, Gravesham, Rochester (1 representative)
• British Marine Aggregate Producers Association
• Company of Watermen & Lightermen
• Environment Agency (Crossness)
• Essex Police Marine Unit
• London Port Health Authority
• London Shipowners & River Users Society
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency – Orpington (Regulatory)
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency – Walton (Coastguard)
• Metropolitan Police - Marine Support Unit
• National Federation of Sea Anglers (Essex) 
• Port of Tilbury
• River Association for Freight and Transport 
• River Thames Society
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution 
• Royal Yachting Association
• Ship Towage Representative
• Thames Estuary Partnership 
• Thurrock Council
• Transport & General Workers Union

(18)

RUCF (Estuary)

• Association of Thames Yacht Clubs
• Castle Point Council
• Eastern Council for Sport & Recreation
• Environment Agency (Thames)
• Essex Police Marine Unit
• Holehaven Fishermen’s Association
• Kent & Essex Sea Fisheries
• Leigh & Southend Fishermen’s Association
• London Port Health Authority
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency – Walton (Coastguard)
• Maritime & Coastguard Agency – Walton (Regulatory)
• Medway Ports
• Medway Yachting Association
• National Federation of Sea Anglers (Essex) 
• River Association for Freight and Transport
• River Thames Society
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution
• Royal Yachting Association
• Southend Council
• Thames Estuary Partnership
• Thames Fisheries A.C. 
• Transport & General Workers Union
• Trinity House

(20)

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Meetings