Waterway Watch » Waterway Politics

Canal & River Trust gets extended funding pledge

Will Chapman — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:55:21 +0000

Britain’s canals and rivers get new lease of life with funding pledge and a hint of more money too.

SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2012

Britain’s waterways are about to receive a boost with an announcement next week by Richard Benyon, the Environment Minister, of a new 15-year funding settlement.

It will help secure the financial future . . . → Read More: Canal & River Trust gets extended funding pledge

David Pearce: AWCC Candidate for a Boating seat on Canal & River Trust Council

Will Chapman — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:51:33 +0000

I am a scientist, Chartered Engineer and economist, with wide experience in industry, academia and government. Appointments included managing Naval projects, Whitehall policy group head and pension scheme Trustee. I came to waterways campaigning 22 years ago after joining St Pancras Cruising Club where I was commodore for 6 years. I have cruised the UK and European waterways extensively and have significant practical experience of boating. My knowledge of government and public bodies has been of considerable benefit to my role as National Chairman of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs. As such I have been closely involved with BW and DEFRA in discussions leading up to the CRT. I am committed to making CRT thrive both nationally and locally in protecting and improving our waterways, with emphasis on navigation through a fully interconnected network. . . . → Read More: David Pearce: AWCC Candidate for a Boating seat on Canal & River Trust Council

Andy Tidy: Independent Candidate for Canal & River Trust Council

Will Chapman — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:20:07 +0000

My passion for boating dates from the ‘dirty ditches’ of the 1960's to the magnificent system of today. I have travelled widely on our narrowboat Wand'ring Bark, and it has been said that canal water flows through my veins! Professionally, I oversee operational integrity within a multinational business, shaping policy, strategy and applying a commercial approach to planning. If elected I will approach this Council role as an enthusiast and a professional, combining 30 years of commercial experience with a 40 year passion for our waterways. It's crucial that the C&RT strikes the right balance between the needs of the various user groups, particularly the boaters who must remain core to its operation. I will take a critical view of commercial and strategic aspects of the Trust's proposals and plans. I would be honoured to represent the boating community . . . → Read More: Andy Tidy: Independent Candidate for Canal & River Trust Council

Alan Fincher: Stands as Boater on Canal and River Trust Council

Will Chapman — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:20:36 +0000

Just four elected council positions must represent the disparate needs of all boaters. I am independent, love boats and boating, and am already well networked with many boaters countrywide. My first boats were forty years ago, and I now boat at every opportunity, covering large distances and regularly attend boating events. Although deeply protective of the history and heritage of the waterways, I am fully realistic that people own boats for many reasons, often with very different ideas of what is important. Categorising boaters into particular groupings is unhelpful and divisive, and I would aim to fairly represent everybody whatever their reasons for boat ownership. In my role within a large multinational I was particularly recognised as someone able to broker the best solutions to complex problems that had eluded others. Early retirement allows me to commit the necessary time, and to be easily contacted by those I represent. . . . → Read More: Alan Fincher: Stands as Boater on Canal and River Trust Council

Timetable

Will Chapman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:20:49 +0000

In preparation for the Canal & River Trust taking over the duties of British Waterways in 2012 a Council is being formed to protect the values and responsibilities of the new trust.

The council will be comprise 35 members with a wide range of interests and expertise and will include boaters, volunteers, local government representatives . . . → Read More: Timetable

NABO & TBA support Stephen Peters for CRT Council

Will Chapman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:22:52 +0000

A Boat owner since 1989 with a Seamaster 30 motor cruiser “Nattajack” based on the River Severn. Council member of National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) for the past 18 years - currently Hon Treasurer and Rivers Secretary. Member of RYA, Avon Navigation Trust, RNLI (Governor), Railway & Canal Historical Society, Cruising Association and Seamaster Club. Experience of canal restoration– Hon Secretary of Droitwich Canals Trust in 1980’s; local government- elected district councillor for 12 years, currently Independent county councillor and parish councillor representing home area. I intend to represent the interests of ALL boaters, irrespective of lifestyle, including broad beam and river users. My knowledge of waterway legislation, byelaws, Acts of Parliament, technical issues, Boat Safety Scheme and local planning should be of value to the CRT Council and I will strive to ensure that the Trust makes sound decisions in the interests of all who navigate the waterways.” . . . → Read More: NABO & TBA support Stephen Peters for CRT Council

Graham Phillips – Candidate for Boating Business seat on Canal & River Trust Council

Will Chapman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:58:51 +0000

During my 33 years on the Inland Waterways, I have hired, lived aboard, worked and am now a self-employed, licenced Roving Trader. I am standing to represent the interests of other Licensed Canal Traders as a Boat Business Candidate. I will defend our rights to trade, especially with respect to licensing, mooring and trading disputes or unfairly imposed restrictions. Being that most roving canal traders are live-aboard, continuous cruisers, I will be very keen to ensure that our interests are alsoserved in these areas. RCTA (Roving Canal Traders Association) members rely on the navigation being kept open in a safe, workable condition in order to trade; I will take an interest in CaRT policy regarding any navigation stratagem, changes, limitations or closure to ensure that these are not detrimental to our way of life. I will keenly look for new trading opportunities. I am a member of The RCTA and the RBOA. . . . → Read More: Graham Phillips – Candidate for Boating Business seat on Canal & River Trust Council

RBOA Declare Ivor Caplan as their CRT candidate for boating

Will Chapman — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:51:54 +0000

I have:

been boating for 35 years including 15 years living afloat
cruised extensively, including lesser used waterways such as the BCN
been involved through the RBOA in achieving greater recognition of residential boating
worked towards formalising residential moorings and developing new ones
supported boating interests through major involvement in IWA and Canal Societies
played a part in increasing navigable waterways through restoration of the Droitwich Canals

If elected to Council I will:

argue for the primacy of navigation and boating as benefiting all waterways users
continue to champion the total heritage of the inland waterways
make the case for responsible residential boating as a major benefit to CRT
fight for the survival and regeneration of lesser used parts of the system
campaign for boating activities to be made accessible and affordable for all sectors of society
negotiate for maintenance including dredging to the highest possible navigable standards

Parliamentary Waterways Group on Future Of The Inland Waterways

Will Chapman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:38:46 +0000

THE ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY WATERWAYS GROUP COMMUNIQUE ON THE FUTURE OF THE INLAND WATERWAYS

The All Party Parliamentary Waterways Group held a hearing on 8 December to provide the Waterways Minister, Richard Benyon MP, with the opportunity to respond to the Group’s Memorandum – “The Future of the Waterways”.

This was published and submitted to the Government in July, . . . → Read More: Parliamentary Waterways Group on Future Of The Inland Waterways

MP asks Minister about viability of Canal and River Trust

Will Chapman — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:40:08 +0000

Neil Carmichael (Stroud, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms will be in place to ensure that the business plan for the Canal and River Trust is sustainable and financially viable.

Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 17 January 2012, c737W)

Richard Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State . . . → Read More: MP asks Minister about viability of Canal and River Trust