New 'Ombudsman' scheme?

SOME nine months after narrowboatworld revealed that the Waterways Ombudsman Scheme operated by Canal & River Trust (CaRT) was a complete sham (Waterways Ombudsman Committee scrapped) a Press release will be made, writes Allan Richards.

The Trust will issue a Press statement later this week giving details of a new arms-length committee which will ensure the future independence of the scheme.

Scrapped

It was in June 2014 that CaRT admitted that the committee that ensured the independence of the Waterways Ombudsman Scheme was no longer in operation. This despite a resolution from its Trustees that the old British Waterways scheme should continue with minor amendments.

Furthermore, the Trust has been unable to demonstrate that the current waterways ombudsman was properly appointed according to the rules of the scheme.

Slow to act

Whilst CaRT swiftly assured that the independent committee would be reconstituted, it has been dragging its heels in making it happen. This led to narrowboatworld querying the lack of progress earlier this year (Still no independent ombudsman).

However, the time taken for the Trust to reconstitute the committee is only part of the problem and to some extent closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

Must have colluded

It is inescapable that some Trustees and Directors must have colluded to ensure that a Board resolution was not implemented, the scheme scrapped and a sham scheme run in its place for over two years.

However, the Trust still seems to be more concerned about 'damage limitation' than naming the guilty parties or providing an explanation.