The future of British Waterways - Advice

After participating in the consultation meetings, having gained a detailed understanding of what is now proposed and in the light of the statement made by the Minister, IWAC has produced this position statement which is intended to assist the Coalition Government and BW in reaching a robust conclusion on the proposals.

Although many of the public statements have tended to treat BW's various proposals as part of a single package, in fact BW is suggesting two separate but related policy changes.

1. BW wants to change its culture so that it is closer to its partners, users and local communities.
2. BW wants to change its status so that it ceases to be a public corporation and becomes a charitable organisation within the third sector.

This paper deals with each proposal separately because IWAC does not believe that the two issues are necessarily interdependent. BW may well be able to change its culture and method of operation while staying within the public sector. Moreover, becoming a charitable organisation will not, in itself, ensure that BW becomes closer to partners, users and local communities.

Part 1: Moving BW closer to partners, users and local communities

BW has explained that it wishes to improve and deepen BW's relationship with all its partners, users, local authorities, community groups and the voluntary sector. IWAC welcomes this approach. The need for a substantial change in the way BW carries out its work has been evident for some years.

BW's aspiration to create an organisation that is more outward looking, more deeply embedded in each community, more responsive to local needs and which develops increased opportunities for volunteering is strongly supported by all IWAC members. We are keen that the process of change moves as quickly as possible and that the enthusiasm of partners and stakeholders for this reform is mobilised to full and early effect.

Welcomes the decision

IWAC welcomes BW's decision to pilot the new approach with communities along the Kennet & Avon Canal. To maintain the momentum IWAC suggests that another waterway, with rather different characteristics, is quickly chosen for a second pilot.

In order to emphasise BW's determination to work more closely with local communities we also suggest that BW moves forward with other preparatory work. For example the mapping of waterways by local authority area, with a simple guide showing the specific public benefits that are being delivered to local people by their particular waterway, would be extremely useful as a prelude to discussion in each community. In launching each local consultation, BW should explicitly state that its aim is to find ways in which the particular waterway can better serve the needs of local people.