The future of British Waterways - IWA challenged

Published: Monday, 20 September 2010
Conclusion challenged by IWA

IWAC understands that this conclusion is challenged by IWA, the largest users' organisation, which strongly supports the amalgamation of BW and Environment Agency navigations from the outset. IWAC believes that these disagreements need to be discussed as a matter of urgency. Unless a solution is found which commands widespread support, arguments about the amalgamation will overshadow the whole project. Members of IWAC would be happy to take part in and, if required, to chair these discussions.

The needs of the whole inland waterways sector

IWAC's work on funding issues will come to a conclusion with the publication of our Funding Options Report later this year. In that Report we consider the future of the whole inland waterways sector. We trust that any decision about the future status of BW will be taken with a full recognition that there are arguments for a wider programme of reform.

So any change in the status of BW should be made in a manner which facilitates and does not inhibit other desirable reforms in the future. Our Funding Options Report is intended both to add to the debate about the status of BW and also to place that debate in the wider context of the needs of the whole inland waterways sector.

Conclusions

BW should move as quickly as possible to change its culture and to move closer to its partners, its users and to local communities. This change in culture is not dependent on a move to the third sector, and should be implemented whether or not the move to the third sector takes place.

As part of the change in culture BW should consider involving users and relevant third sector bodies more directly in the management of particular waterways and visitor attractions, expanding the Board of BW to include more people with direct waterways community engagement and set up a new Advisory Council with a defined place in BW's decision making process. The membership of the new Council should include local authorities, third sector organisations and volunteering groups,

Should be substantially different

In principle a move to the third sector is desirable and would bring important advantages. However the new third sector body should be substantially different from BW in practice, organisation and governance.

If the transformation of BW into an effective third sector body is to be successful three substantial practical problems have to be resolved:

1. Financial stability

The new third sector body has to achieve financial stability by building up new sources of income including donations and legacies;

Building up the new income sources will be a gradual process and adequate government funding will be necessary for a substantial transitional period;

2. Governance

The new third sector body should be democratic in both structure and outlook;

The membership base of the new body is likely to be narrow and the governing council should include, as well as an elected element, a substantial number of nominated representatives from widely respected relevant organisations, such as The National Trust and English Heritage, as well as representatives of local authorities and user organisations such as the Ramblers Association and RSPB;

As the ownership of the assets will remain in the public sector, the contract which provides the lease to run the waterways should give the new third sector body the necessary level of financial security and set out principles to guide the work of the governing council and the trustees. These principles should include commitments to ensure that the waterways are developed in the wider public interest, that due account is taken of the needs of local communities, that wider use of the waterways is encouraged and require the new body to operate efficiently.

Local advisory groups drawn from across the community should be set up to contribute to a much stronger feeling of local involvement. The management of the new body should be based on the principles of participation and openness with a renewed commitment to recruit more volunteers to undertake a wide range of activities.

Early attention needs to be given to the role and future of the Waterways Trust so that the new third sector body can benefit from the knowledge and experience gained by the Waterways Trust.

3. Scope

The advantages and drawbacks of an amalgamation between BW and Environment Agency navigations taking place as part of the creation of a third sector body should be carefully balanced and urgent discussions should take place to resolve the disagreements between the user organisations on this issue. Members of IWAC would be happy to take part in and, if required, to chair these discussions.

Decisions about the future status of BW should be taken with a full recognition that there are arguments for a wider programme of reform. Any change in the status of BW should be made in a manner which facilitates and does not inhibit other desirable reforms in the future.

September 2010