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PLA Sports Clubs Discounts
PLA River Works Licenses: Charges and Discounts for Sports Clubs
The Port of London Authority (PLA) has introduced a refreshed approach to how sports clubs on the tidal Thames are charged for River Works Licenses (RWLs). Our new discount structure supports clubs in making the river more accessible for sport and leisure, while keeping costs as low as possible.
About the Port of London Authority
As a trust port, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has no shareholders and operates for the benefit of customers and stakeholders now and in the future. Our operations cover 95 miles of the River Thames, from Teddington to the North Sea. We work to keep commercial and leisure users safe, protect and enhance the environment, and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.
The PLA receives no government funding and has no shareholders - all income is reinvested in the river. A trust port is defined by the Department of Transport as ‘a valuable asset presently safeguarded by the existing Board, whose duty it is to hand it on in the same or better condition to succeeding generations. This remains the ultimate responsibility of the Board, and future generations remain the ultimate stakeholder.’
As the Statutory Harbour Authority, the PLA has a key role to play in providing core safety, environmental and commercial services to a huge range of customers and we seek to do that in the most cost-effective way possible. We also have a duty to maintain our assets in resilient condition, to facilitate a wide range of stakeholders using the river and to enable the port and river to continue to play its role sustainably, long into the future.
All of this is brought together in Thames Vision 2050, published in 2022, and available on the PLA website.
Active Thames
The PLA is committed to promoting use of the river for sport and, in 2021, established the Active Thames programme as a key part of the Thames Vision. Active Thames supports the development of water sports and walking on the tidal Thames and inland waterways in London, Kent and Essex with the objectives of increasing the sporting offer, supporting the growth and development of the workforce, maximising the use of clubhouses and the Thames path, and improving access and inclusion. There are two employees dedicated to Active Thames, and there are two assistant Harbour Masters who focus on sports events and safe boating.
The organisations working together on Active Thames include; Active Essex, Active Kent & Medway, London Sport, British Rowing, Paddle UK, RYA, Canal & River Trust, Thames Path National Trail and PLA. Find out more at activethames.co.uk
River Works Licenses
A River Works Licence (RWL) is a permission granted by the Port of London Authority (PLA) for an individual or organisation to place structures (works) on sections of the River Thames registered as PLA property, ensuring there is no unlawful use. The PLA charges a licence fee for a RWL, which compensates for the use of its land and enables the PLA to carry out its obligations and various activities on the river.
River Works Licenses (RWLs) are necessary for any structure or facility on the river, ensuring safe, environmentally responsible, and commercially viable use of the waterway. Sports clubs are charged significantly less than commercial entities for RWLs, and with our refreshed discount structure, they may receive further reductions to help them thrive.
The PLA is transitioning to using CPI instead of RPI for sports clubs licences, aligning with the UK Government's decision to adopt CPI as a more accurate and reliable measure of inflation starting in 2030.
Discount Structure Overview
A sports club is defined as a facility with the primary goal of supporting people to take part in sporting activities. This also includes sports organisations, training centres and charities.
All sports clubs will receive a 45% discount on their river works licences as standard. All sports clubs are eligible to apply for an additional discount, of up to 55%, if they meet the criteria specified below.
*Open Active
Any opportunities which are open to the community need to be digitally accessible, too. Simply listing an activity on one platform, e.g. Facebook, would not be considered digitally accessible. More information on Open Active is available here https://www.openactive.io/ and a free platform for all clubs to use is available here: https://opensessions.io/#/home
**Exceptions may be made for clubs formed according to unique interests or demographics, e.g., the Sea Cadets who only work with children.
Sports clubs may be eligible for discount through hosting/facilitating access for another club, for example a facility managed by a private school might host a charity and be entitled to a higher discount. This should be discussed with the PLA.
Total Discount
45%
Qualifying Criteria
All clubs are eligible to receive a 45% discount as standard.
We require all clubs to:
- Operate safely, following the PLA byelaws, rules of navigation and the Tideway Code.
- Be environmentally responsible, meaning that the club avoids pollution and environmental harm.
- Have valid insurance which covers all activities of their members and activity delivered by the club.
Total Discount
60%
Qualifying Criteria
To qualify for Silver discount sports clubs are required to:
- Meet the requirements set within the Bronze tier.
- Be affiliated to/members of their National Governing Body or provide documents that show: Club Constitution, Health and Safety Policy, Risk Assessment, Safeguarding Policy, Equality Policy, Club Rules and the provision of an AGM.
- Publicly state how they support club membership for people facing financial hardship.
- Deliver open sports activities on an average of a monthly basis between March and November. We request a minimum of 10 open sessions. Examples include taster sessions, courses or open days.
- Promote the above open sports activities through Open Active* digital platforms.
- Charges for open sports activities must be appropriate and affordable to the local community.
- Be open to the whole community**, as defined within CASC guidance.
Total Discount
75%
Qualifying Criteria
To qualify for Gold discount sports clubs are required to:
- Meet the requirements set within the Silver tier.
- Meet the requirements of a charity/CASC/CIC.
- Deliver targeted outreach programmes throughout the majority of the year.
Total Discount
100%
Qualifying Criteria
To qualify for Platinum discount sports clubs are required to:
- Meet the requirements set within the Gold tier.
- Have the primary purpose of providing sport and leisure for disadvantaged communities.
- Be registered as a charity with the Charities Commission.
- Be focused on community outreach – not performance sport or activities for members only.
- Any income generated through non-sporting activities must be reinvested to achieve the charitable aims, and no owner or shareholders may benefit from the delivery of charitable activities.
Process
Sports clubs wishing to apply to the PLA for consideration or renewal of their discount will need to do so every three years by completing the application form (LINK to application form). Applications for the upcoming discount period must be submitted by 31 December 2024, with discounts taking effect from January 2025.
From January 2025 onwards, clubs are welcome to submit an application at any time of the year. The discount, if applied, will be applied from the next relevant licence fee review date unless agreed otherwise.
