Will it become a reality?

I NOTICE the passage '...the new Chief Executive, Richard Parry, categorically announced at a Press Briefing that in the future Canal & River Trust (CaRT) will be open and transparent' writes Keith Gudgin.

I sincerely hope this becomes a reality but I for one will only believe it when I see it. Currently it does not appear to be happening, I understand there are lots of FOI requests pending, hidden minutes etc.

Something new

Also...'Something entirely new that he also hopes to start, is a boaters' research panel, with the purpose of tracking what a representative sample of boaters think of what the Trust is doing'.

I can only hope that this will not just become another talking shop that is put in place to shift the blame onto. It will be interesting to see who gets selected as the 'representative sample of boaters'. Will it be people like me, a lone continuous cruiser or just a selection from the Inland Waterways Association hierarchy etc?

Richard Parry also states "All our many users, especially boaters, are vital to the Trust. I want to make sure we listen carefully to views from the cut and openly share our ideas and plans for the future so that we get input from those whose commitment to our waterways is greatest."

Treating us as such

CaRT's Yearly Report shows we boaters currently contribute nearly one third of CaRT's income so I should think we are 'vital to the Trust'. So how about treating us as such and not trying to drive us off the canals by introducing draconian mooring practices etc. (Plans for the year ahead).

I, like many others, am waiting with baited breath to see the new CEO make his mark. I, like many others am waiting for something new, positive and useful to come out of Ivory Towers. I, like many others am waiting for some commitment to private boaters, including continuous cruisers, the canals and their maintenance from those in Ivory Towers.

Old guard replaced

'Watch this space' seems to spring to mind. I for one will not be placing any bets on there being any improvements or changes until the entire old British Waterways guard with their outdated thought processes are replaced. I hope I'm wrong but I will wait and see before I break out the champers.

When Mick Fitzgibbons states that he would like to see 'the formation of a paid membership of the Trust'. One can only assume that he means by this that all boaters who are current paid up licensees are automatically full members without being asked to contribute another fee to become a ‘member'.

Useful benefit

I also assume he has in mind some useful benefit that these 'members' will gain over the general public for their ‘membership fee'? Or why else should they ‘join'? NT, RSPB etc. can give their members reduced or free entrance to their facilities, so what would CaRT have to offer that would induce the general public to pay to become ‘members'? Remember, CaRT's ‘Become a Friend' campaign has not so far been a resounding money spinner has it?

Mick also states: 'Plus the invaluable support of almost 18,000 volunteers'. Well he might like to know that I once volunteered to help CaRT, but was turned down flat by a manager with the phrase: "I can't let you do that as I would lose revenue." If someone can explain that one to me I would be very grateful but it does show me that CaRT managers have only one thing on their mind...££££s.