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Ok, then – in an effort to keep the “Barmouth” thread as it was (I assume) originally intended i.e. a tribute, I’ll start a topic off regarding the question, How should the RNLI be funded.
I’m no expert on such matters but the way I see it, as things stand, the RNLI has full autonomy in the way it provides cover along our coastline, and it’s pretty comprehensive cover, too.
The “North East” area, as defined by the RNLI, covers the whole coastline between Berwick, in the North to Skegness, in the South. Within that area, there are 23 RNLI stations.
Because of the fact that the organisation is funded as a charity, means that there’s no Governmental control over funding. If the service WAS Government funded, it would HAVE to run on a cost effective, business basis. In my mind, this would undoubtedly result in a CUT in service provision and cover.
We could well see those existing 23 stations cut to 5;
Northumberland
Tyne & Wear
Tees
Yorks
Lincs.
It could even be less, if for example, the Tyne to Tees was defined as 1 area.
What’s the 1st thing to suffer when the Chancellor has to find money from somewhere to cover things like cuts in interest rates? – PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING !
If the Govt. DID get its’ hands on the RNLI, you’d find station after station being decommissioned because they “weren’t cost effective” – WHAT PRICE COST EFFECTIVENESS?
Recently, a North East Local Authority decided to withdraw lifeguard cover from its beach because of “cost effectiveness” – result a dead child last year! Lo and behold, this year, they’ve managed to find funding to cover lifeguard provision for the beach – TOO LATE !
We’ve also seen it happen recently with HM Coastguard – station after station being shut down to “rationalise resources” i.e. SAVE MONEY.
In answer to the question, “Should the RNLI be Government funded?” I for one, would say NO WAY ! The charitable status of the RNLI has worked fine since its’ inception – DON’T TRY TO FIX IT IF IT AIN’T BROKE !
As regards “paying” members of Lifeboat crews a salary – that (I think) would go hand in hand with being Government funded (or worse, still - run as a private concern).
Yes, I know we ALL appreciate the time, effort, commitment, bravery, courage, etc which the crews show time after time by going out in atrocious conditions to rescue both the unlucky and the foolhardy. BUT, they do that as volunteers and I very much doubt if they’d want it any other way.
I’m no expert on such matters but the way I see it, as things stand, the RNLI has full autonomy in the way it provides cover along our coastline, and it’s pretty comprehensive cover, too.
The “North East” area, as defined by the RNLI, covers the whole coastline between Berwick, in the North to Skegness, in the South. Within that area, there are 23 RNLI stations.
Because of the fact that the organisation is funded as a charity, means that there’s no Governmental control over funding. If the service WAS Government funded, it would HAVE to run on a cost effective, business basis. In my mind, this would undoubtedly result in a CUT in service provision and cover.
We could well see those existing 23 stations cut to 5;
Northumberland
Tyne & Wear
Tees
Yorks
Lincs.
It could even be less, if for example, the Tyne to Tees was defined as 1 area.
What’s the 1st thing to suffer when the Chancellor has to find money from somewhere to cover things like cuts in interest rates? – PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING !
If the Govt. DID get its’ hands on the RNLI, you’d find station after station being decommissioned because they “weren’t cost effective” – WHAT PRICE COST EFFECTIVENESS?
Recently, a North East Local Authority decided to withdraw lifeguard cover from its beach because of “cost effectiveness” – result a dead child last year! Lo and behold, this year, they’ve managed to find funding to cover lifeguard provision for the beach – TOO LATE !
We’ve also seen it happen recently with HM Coastguard – station after station being shut down to “rationalise resources” i.e. SAVE MONEY.
In answer to the question, “Should the RNLI be Government funded?” I for one, would say NO WAY ! The charitable status of the RNLI has worked fine since its’ inception – DON’T TRY TO FIX IT IF IT AIN’T BROKE !
As regards “paying” members of Lifeboat crews a salary – that (I think) would go hand in hand with being Government funded (or worse, still - run as a private concern).
Yes, I know we ALL appreciate the time, effort, commitment, bravery, courage, etc which the crews show time after time by going out in atrocious conditions to rescue both the unlucky and the foolhardy. BUT, they do that as volunteers and I very much doubt if they’d want it any other way.
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