Issue - meetings

Julie Sharman, Head of Regeneration (North)

Julie Sharman, Head of Regeneration (North), British Waterways, briefed the Forum on the creation of The Canal and River Trust, which would come into being in April 2012.

The Canal and River Trust would be taking over British Waterways’ waterways in England and Wales.  The Waterways Trust in England and Wales would also be merging with the Canal and River Trust.

Transition Trustees had been appointed to oversee the formation of the new Trust.  The governance structures for the new Trust would include a Council whose role would be to appoint and hold accountable the Board of Trustees, monitor the Charity so that it meets its charitable purposes and appoint auditors and other company law shareholder powers.  The Trustees would be the principal governing body and be responsible for the appointment of the management to run the Charity; determining policy and strategy, and approve business plans.  Waterways Partnerships would be created to oversee the work of local waterways units.  The Partnerships would be made up of local people who would hold local management to account and oversee the work of the Trust at local level.  The Chairman of each Partnership would sit on the Trust’s Council.

It was highlighted that the North Wales and Borders Partnership was looking for members at present.  Under the leadership of the Chair - Jim Forrester, the Partnership would be working closely with the Area’s Waterway Manager to develop an overarching vision for the waterways and develop strategies and plans to encourage more people to use and get involved with their local waterway.  More information was available on the British Waterways’ website.

Members asked questions about the sale of residential property and impact on access to canals; access to towpaths for walkers, cyclist and equestrians; towpaths becoming public rights of way and ownership of bridges and locks