After a year when there has been little income for the iconic Thames sailing barges of Hythe Quay, Maldon councillors will vote on whether to reduce their wharfage fees this year - and how much by.

Members of Maldon District Council's Strategy and Resources Committee will discuss three possible options on the fees for the 2021/22 financial year at a meeting on Thursday, 28 January.

Whatever they decide will then need to be ratified by a meeting of the full council at a later date.

These include:

-keeping the fees at the current rate

-reducing the fees by 25 per cent

-reducing the fees by 50 per cent.

At the moment, each Thames sailing barge pays an annual fee of £3,575, equal to £328 per month. A 25 per cent reduction would see that move down to £2,681 per year or £246 per month, while 50 per cent off will take that to £1,787 a year or £164 per month.

Based on the fees coming in from six barges, that would mean an income loss to the council in 2021/22 of £5,362.50 if the fees are reduced by 25 per cent or £10,725 should the 50 per cent reduction option be selected.

The decision to look at reducing the wharfage fees follows a council meeting on 19 November where members decided to refer the matter to a council working group. The group met on 7 January and the proposals to be put to Thursday's committee have been put together as a result of that.

A report to the councillors who will decide on the issue explains: "Fees and charges are one of the three major sources of funding for the council; the other two being council tax and retained business rates.

"The impact of the [proposed] changes to fees and charges have been incorporated into the 2021/22 budget proposals."

The Thames Sailing Barge Trust has been approached for comment.