Activities licensing may affect sailing clubs! 

The current system of licensing through the Adventurous Activities Licensing Service (AALS), which provides larger voluntary organisations and commercial providers of adventurous activities with a regulated inspectorate will be changing in April 2013.

There will be a new system of registration and guidance notes provided by HSE for the UK.

However, in Scotland, the Scottish Government feel it would be beneficial to introduce legislation keeping an inspectorate, and expanding the scope of the existing scheme, to include adults, more activities and voluntary organisations. This will have a significant impact on clubs offering activity to their members as it may require you to pay a fee to the Scottish Government, and be inspected by a nominated inspectorate.

RYA and RYA Scotland have been working closely with the various government agencies to ensure the voluntary voice is heard as this introduction of new legislation will reduce activity on offer, as it will make it harder for voluntary organisations to provide activity to their members. It is now your turn to contribute to the process – a consultation is now underway, and will finish on 30th March – the consultation is available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/01/04112146/0

You can attend some regional consultation meetings:

Thursday 1 March – Lochaber High School, Fort William (19:00 - 21:00)

Thursday 15 March – Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore (19:00 - 21:00)

Should you wish to attend any of the events please send your name, the name of your organisation (if applicable) and your contact details to adventureactivities@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Please note they are limiting the numbers at each event to a maximum of 100. If you have been successful at securing a place at your chosen event they will provide an e-mail confirmation.

To ensure that your club can continue to develop, brig on new members no matter how young or old, and to be able to run regular activity for all, please do your best to participate in this consultation and ensure that the voluntary voice is heard.

We would also welcome both a copy of your feedback to the consultation and to the regional meetings, so we are clear on your thoughts on the way forward and can represent your views appropriately.