Government response to petition

More big society bollox

Petition to:
protect our canals by not selling off property owned by British waterways
This petition is now closed, as its deadline has passed.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to protect our canals by not selling off property owned by British waterways. More details
Submitted by Ian Rees – Deadline to sign up by: 06 June 2010 – Signatures: 22,310

More details from petition creator
Further to recent announcements concerning the potential sell-off of properties owned by British Waterways by the Treasury, we petition the Prime Minister to give assuarnces that our canals will be protected and recent levels of investement, a credit to Labour, is maintained.
Our canals are great source of pleasure for many people in the country, providing a source of employment through tourism and associated businesses. They're also home to many forms of wildlife. Without proper management this will ebb away and the network return to a state of decay and ruin.
We urge the Government to allow British Waterways to retain its property portfolio, protecting its essential source of revenue and ensure the sustainability of its work.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/protectourcanals/
Government response
On 14 October 2010 the Government announced that British Waterways would be abolished as a public corporation and that we would create a new charity, similar to a national trust for the waterways. Details of the public consultation on the proposed model, including scope and governance, will be announced within the coming few weeks. The new waterways charity is expected to be set up in 2012, subject to Parliamentary consent and time.
A civil society model for British Waterways reflects the Government’s commitment to Big Society, as well as its confidence in British Waterways to work with others to build a sustainable future for the waterways under a charitable model. A charitable company will give users and communities more responsibility for governance of the waterways. It also has the potential to enable the new body to access new income streams and greater public support at a time when there is considerable pressure on other sources of income. Charitable status would also facilitate a step change in volunteering, enhanced local partnership working and a range of cost efficiencies.
The Government will give the new charity the best start it can afford, with the transfer of the property portfolio and a long term contract. As a first step, the Government has provided a new long term commitment to a grant allocation at the 2014/15 level (£39m) to 2022/23 inclusive (covering the next two Spending Review periods) that will enable the development of a funding plan which gives confidence to the incoming Trustees of the new charity. The amount and length of the contract will be subject to negotiation with the Trustees, who will be appointed this April.

Greedy BW directors ex NBW

BW directors are a disgrace
From NBW.....Its a sad time indeed for users and the majority of employees of the canal network. There is no way 20% of the workforce can be made redundant without significant if not catastrophic impact on the system.It appears the maintenance is being contracted out which will mean more costs going out and less work being done - the shareholders will need paying!!And....and the money being taken out of the company is unbelievable. See the salaries being taken
Robin Evans Chief Executive £566,354
Mark Bensted Regeneration Director £672,850
Steve Dunlop Director Scotland £170,764
Nigel Johnson Corporate Services Director £331,987
Stuart Mills Director of Property £308,154
Vince Moran Operations Director £327,824
Philip Ridal Finance Director £330,561
Simon Salem Marketing Director £413,584
Jim Stirling Technical Director £382,104
Total £3,504,182
It costs me £2,000 to have my boat in the cut I have no problem with this if it goes to workers to maintain it and money to fund the improvements. I cannot accept this group of 9 people are taking such a ridiculous amount of money. NO ONE needs that sort of money to live and they are not worth it by such a large margin.
In my home city the Vice Chancellor of my University which employs significantly more staff gets paid under a third of what Evans does and its the same story at the very large hospital in Derby
There is simply not justification for this and the fact is these greedy humans are expecting to be Tupe'd over on the same T&C's
I URGE YOU TO PUBLISH THE SAME INFORMATION ON YOUR BLOGS AND TELL PEOPLE YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. I WILL BE WRITING TO MY MP TO RAISE THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY WITH HIM.
At some point we have to act to protect what we hold dear.
Nev
Posted by Nev Wells at 8:41:00 PM

Bringing the boat home 27/11/10

Barton turns marina to findern mooring in 4 hours (10 miles and 4 locks)

Almost had to abort the trip due to the marina being frozen over - it has been clear all week

The boat services guys broke the ice for us and allowed us to get away onto the T & M by around 12 pm

Issues:

The rear corner fenders made it a tight squeeze through a couple of locks

The steering took a lot of getting used to - a bit of zig zag, plus clouted a few walls - the boat handled really well later on when the wind dropped.

The outboard started to play up after a couple of hours - cut out and wouldnt run on slow tick over - ok later on, but, had to perfect a technique of leaving in fast idle then switching to full throttle when ready to go.

Had to ice break in sheltered canal sections - most of Burton on Trent (- helped later on when we met some traffic - who had broken the ice for us) - a bit of a worry as i was told that GRP boats don't do ice! (will have to check the boat hasn't sunk in a few days)

Problems with the boat:

A real pain to get in and out of - think Starsky and Hutch

There doesn't appear to be any on switch for the tap???? It is connected to a proper water tank!

The floor bearers near the cabin entrance are not strong enough - needs a bit of 3" x 2" - cheapish repair

The zip on the cover needs stitching - not a major problem

Positive points:

The boat is quick

Got back to the pub in Findern by 4.30 and warming a pint before tea

Acquired a gnome left on the boat by the previous owner

New (to me) boat

I have agreed to buy a GRP cruiser - sad looking Norman 23 cruiser (1980).

3 berth with Mercury 15 hp engine.

Obvious faults:

Exterior painting required

Anti fouling required

Patching repairs needed to hood

Front fender required

Some interior joinery required

Battery isolator to fit (battery box), possible battery upgrade

Foam upholstery needed in front of boat

Some interior painting

Some interior electrical works (minor)

Would not win any beauty contests, but, I like the layout and it has potential

It also has the advantage of a four year safety certificate

Will take up most of my spare time in the spring

Mooring secured

Not received any formal paperwork, but, British Waterways have cashed my cheque for the mooring in Findern (won via online auction at reserve price). Looking to get a small cruiser for now - narrowboats are well over priced at the moment (and a lot of crap about).

30.8 foot to use, water and plenty of parking. Shame BW had electric disconnected, however, there is a large area that could accommodate a small shed and I have a generator (once it is repaired)

Also an Indian restaurant/pub along side - no need to take the boat out!

Erewash canal 5/6/10

Reports of poor quality water (weed), rapaging kids and drunks, unusable locks and weed hatch issues prove to be unfounded as we had a pleasant 3 hour trip from Trent Lock to Sandiacre (Derby canal junction) on Saturday. The weed and canal depth is actually worse at Trent Lock, no doubt due to the polution caused by the permanent live aboards and the fact that they seldom move their boats. The water is actually remarkably clear - probably due to the weed (lilies) - you can see the bottom of your boat - a pretty scary sight after a winter of ice damage to the blacking! Just remember your anti vandal key for the locks! The expression use it or lose it springs to mind - how Derby boaters would love a canal like the Erewash - how many millions would have been saved if it had been preserved in the 60s like the Erewash (not much change out of £100m I would guess)?

Fradley junction 5/6 April 2010

Stenson to Fradley 7 and a half hours each way (10 locks, 16 miles and the scary Trent at Wychnor)

We have done Stenson to Branston/Barton a few times, but, fancied the slightly longer trip to Fradley this Easter bank holiday (I have visited this popular spot by car a couple of times - very pretty and with good boater facilities including the famous Swan pub).

Against the water flow and wind most of the way, however, most of the traffic was going the other way so no hold ups at locks.

The village of Alrewas looks very pretty with attractive waterside thatched cottages, however, due to its popularity some of the moorings cause a few problems getting through due to the narrow canal and double parking especially around bridges (patience required)

Could be my last trip if the boat sale goes well (I am sure it wont)