Resignations over CaRT 'charity boats ' greed

THE policies regarding mooring and licensing relating to 'charity boats' by Canal & River Trust (CaRT) have resulted in the resignation of a director and a member of the Beatrice Charity from the Central Shires Waterways Partnership, writes Allan Richards.

Director Graham Myatt, announced his resignation at a meeting last month, immediately after it was announced that another boater had resigned.

Charlotte Atkins

The Central Shires Waterways Partnership (WP), is chaired by former MP, Charlotte Atkins, winner of the first ever Inland Waterways Association IWA) 'Parliamentarian of the Year Award' in 2008. It has several boaters on its committee.

At its September meeting she told members that Keith Gracie, a boater since 1968 and a Trustee for the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust had resigned. Keith Gracie had been a town planner involved in recreation planning, countryside matters and the development of tourism.

However, the reason for Mr Gracie's resignation were not recorded in the partnership's minutes.

Difficult to represent CaRT

Immediately, after hearing about Keith Gracie's resignation, another boater, Graham Myatt, announced his own resignation from the Partnership. He stated that he found it difficult to represent CaRT when he did not agree with some of its policies with regard to moorings and licensing, especially in relation to the operation of charity craft.

Graham Myatt is a retired production director and has been boating for many years. He has been a member of the Stoke-on-Trent boat Club for 30 years and is a former chairman of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs (AWCC) Midland Region. He represents the AWCC on the Boat Safety Scheme advisory panel and is a former member of British Waterways' Customer Service Standards Panel.

However, it is thought that the major factor in his resignation from the Waterways Partnership is CaRT's policies regarding 'charity boats' (sometimes called 'community boats') as he is a Trustee and Director of the Beatrice Charity.

Beatrice Charity

The Beatrice Charity provides for children with special needs in north Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. Its specially adapted day boat takes them for trips on the Caldon Canal. These trips mainly take place in term time.

Out of term the Beatrice Charity boat is primarily used for outings for groups of older people and those with a disability. Fund-raising trips are also arranged for family and other groups.

Last year the charity provided for over 600 'special-needs' children and a further 250 elderly or disabled, making well over 100 trips.

Policy

The umbrella organisation for 'charity boats', the National Community Boats Association (NCBA) has been talking to British Waterways and CaRT for some years about proposed changes as part of a business licensing review. However, CaRT now stand accused of holding a mock consultation with the inevitable outcome of license fee increases for most charity boats. Particularly hard hit will be boats such as used by Beatrice Charity who will be banned from using the boat for fundraising to support its charitable activities unless they operate under business licences.

In short, whilst being a charity itself, CaRT has failed to understand the immense benefits that other charities bring to its waterways, viewing them simply a source of revenue.

Where have we heard that before?

Mooring

Another hidden price hike for many charity boats will be the removal of discounts for boats using CaRT moorings and other facilities.

The end result, will be that some boats will have to cut down on the valuable services that they provide. Others, may end up providing no services whatsoever!