Weymouth harbour charges could be set to rise as a report recommending cost increases goes before a committee on Wednesday. 

The Harbour Management Board will meet on December 6 to discuss the harbour's financial plan, budget proposals and harbour charges for the year 2018/2019. 

The committee will review the 'Fisher Report', drafted by Fisher Associates, consultants who completed a review of Weymouth Harbour during the summer to help identify a long term strategy. 

The report states: "The scale of charges are reviewed annually and reflect the financial climate, the financial pressures on the harbour budget and market trends but are balanced with what is considered acceptable to harbour users and in consideration of the competition."

The report has recommended a number of 'significant changes' to increase charges relating to the harbour.

If approved, daily rates for visiting yachts and permits would increase by 5 per cent in the summer and 10 per cent in the winter.

Loyalty discounts would be reduced from 30 per cent to 20 per cent by introducing a ‘5 for 4’ loyalty scheme in place of ‘4 for 3’ for leisure visitors.

The report has also proposed to remove Weymouth residents’ discounts (10%) for new and returning customers and a phased discount removal over five years for existing customers.

Visiting and permanent commercial vessels will see a 10 per cent price hike and marina annual berths will increase by 2.5 per cent.

Harbour staffing has also been reviewed by the report and the current staff structure will be maintained but will be reviewed as the recommendations are taken forward.

Cllr Richard Kosior, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s Briefholder for Tourism, Culture and Harbour, said: “The importance of bringing the Harbour finances back to full viability post the departure of cross channel ferries cannot be over emphasised. However I am confident with the excellent work done by the harbour team and the future plans for new and enhanced activities that Weymouth Harbour is set for long term success.”

The Harbour Management Board has the responsibility to manage the harbour finances including budget setting, budget monitoring and the final year end outturn.

Full details of the Fisher Report have been kept 'in confidence' due to the financial data it contains with the intention is to distil the report in to a number of smaller projects, and bring a further report to the next Harbour Management Board in February 2018 when the final decision on the corporate budget will be made.

Harbour Management Board Chairman, Cllr Ian Bruce, said: “The board has now received a commissioned report from a harbours expert. The report was commissioned to review the way the harbour was run and how to best identify opportunities for this wonderful Weymouth asset. The Board will be planning ahead on how the consultants recommendations can be taken forward.”