Not my job, says Allan

JOHN Coxon has suggested that Allan Richards passes information that CaRT has falsified its board meeting minutes to the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Pass to the charities commission?).

Here, Allan replies to John’s suggestion.

The facts

At its July 2023 meeting, CaRT’s board of trustees agreed to implement surcharging of continuous cruisers and increased surcharging of wide boats. This despite being given evidence that boaters did not support surcharging.

The following table shows the conflicting results of the 'surcharging consultation' carried out by DJS Research. CaRT published the May figures but withheld the July figures. The July figures were obtained following a Freedom of Information request.

The accusation

The accusation is that CaRT’s Board of directors suppressed publication of the July figures (which showed that boaters did not support CaRT’s surcharging proposals) whilst allowing publication of conflicting figures which suggested boaters did support its proposals.

CaRT acknowledge that at least three groups have written to them opposing surcharging. Indeed, one of those groups, NABO, has suggested that CaRT is acting ‘ultra vires’ (i.e. outside the law) in applying this differential charging!

It is not Allan Richards that should be contacting the Charity Commission but rather NBTA, IWA and NABO!

After all, these groups need to be seen reflecting views of membership and, indeed, the majority of boaters.

NBTA, IWA and NABO need to speak out and say what action they are taking on behalf of membership and the boating community as a whole.