2025 AGM - Agenda Item (e) Fixing of membership fees

In common with all organisations, in the last six years Mountaineering Scotland has faced and continues to face significant increases in costs despite our continuing efforts to manage these within prior agreed budgets.

The cost of insurance has continued to shoot up, rising by a staggering 191%, or almost £100,000, meaning the cost per member has increased from £2.97 to £8.23. Expressed another way the cost of insurance as a % of our total outgoings has risen from 8% to 18% and after staff costs it is now our largest expense.

In response to this the Board of Mountaineering Scotland conducted a review of insurance provision in 2024 and scoped various alternative options. The review confirmed the insurance market for outdoor recreation is restricted, with few brokers operating and even fewer insurers prepared to quote with the result that short of leaving members underinsured we currently have little option but to accept what is being offered. This review however is ongoing as we strive to balance the vital need to maintain insurance cover against the obvious cost implications especially if premiums continue to rise.

This year is the final one of our current three-year insurance agreement and we are anticipating another very significant increase accompanying the 2026 renewal. This further rise is due, in part, to the continuing impact of the unprecedented size of settlement for a successful claim made against a similar policy provided by the BMC. Regrettably, insurers now view outdoor leisure & sport in general as an increasingly risky area to provide cover for.

We recently requested that our broker, Howdens, initiate the renewal process earlier than normal, however in common with previous years we will still not know the full cost of the policy renewal in time for the AGM.

Given this uncertainty and the substantial increase which was agreed in 2024, the Board are proposing a minimal increase to membership fees based on the rate of inflation which directly impacts on all our costs.  This increase will be based on the Consumer Price Index figure of 3.8% rather than the higher Retail Price Index figure of 4.6% and apply from 1^st April 2026. A further increase in fees may have to be considered in 2026 depending on the outcome of the insurance renewal process.