My thoughts about the Trust

• Above all else, I am determined that CRT shall have navigation and the ability to cruise a connected waterways system at its heart. Without this, all other aspects and objectives are unlikely to be achieved.

• I am concerned that boating on the inland waterways shall not become elitist and that it shall remain affordable for the average boater, both young and old.

• I was with the Waterways Minister, with my British Waterways Advisory Forum colleagues, when he made his statement on the revised DEFRA funding pack. I am convinced that this now forms the basis of a workable package.

• BWAF includes all the major user groups and numbers the current IWA chairman and the former BW CE among its members. As BWAF Secretary I can say that we have all worked hard in the background to get CRT going. I wish to be able to continue this work on your behalf as a Council member.

• I believe that I would be well placed as a Council member to continue working constructively and effectively with the CRT Trustees and the directors of the delivery organisation.

Am I a Suitability Candidate for the Council?

Being a Council Member will be a substantial management job – not just two days a year!

• MANAGEMENT – I have managed big public procurement projects and delivered them on time and to budget.

• MONEY – I know about the practical management of money and the theory of what makes the UK economy tick. I have been a Research Fellow in Economics and a Pension Scheme Trustee;

• PUBLIC POLICY – I ran a policy group in Whitehall for five years, so I appreciate the constraints. I know how to work successfully with politicians and Ministers and heads of public bodies. I understand how government departments work.

• BOATING ORGANISATIONS – I am passionate about boating and the inland waterways. I have helped run the AWCC at National level for 22 years. I helped organise the British Waterways Advisory forum at its beginning and I know that it has since revolutionised the relationship between all user groups and the BW Board. My contribution has been much appreciated by BW and DEFRA staff alike.

The AWCC

The AWCC has brought practical assistance to the average boater for nearly 50 years. We pioneered a self-help approach and localism, where volunteers organised club moorings and assisted fellow boater when boat breakdowns occurred. We have also campaigned nationally on all aspects of boating. In the last decade we have advanced The Third Way where club mooring are seen as an alternative to BW or commercial marinas. We have nearly 100 boat clubs in association, which represents about 20,000 boat owners and family members. We joined with Sir Frank Price in the difficult days of the 1970s in a spirit of co-operation to keep the system running. Pragmatism remains part of our governing philosophy. Sir Frank is still our senior Patron.

Elect me to the Council and I will bring all this experience, knowledge and commitment to bear in making the Canal & River Trust a success to be proud of.

AWCC are pleased to announce that DAVID PEARCE, their former National Chairman, will be the AWCC nominee for the C&RT Council. 

David Pearce, AWCC Candidate for C&RT Council

David has been a member of the AWCC National Executive Committee since 1990 and has a long record of successfully negotiating for boaters; He was AWCC Vice Chairman under Tony Mason for 10 years. He served as AWCC National Chairman for 8 years and is currently the AWCC’s Parliamentary Officer. He was a founder member of the British Waterways Advisory Forum (BWAF) and is currently BWAF Secretary He has put in very much effort over the last three years, together with the other BWAF member organisations, to establish the Trust proposal.  David says – “I am committed to making CRT thrive both nationally and locally in protecting and improving our waterways, with emphasis on navigation through a fully interconnected network.”

Geoff Ashton, AWCC President, commented

“I have known David since I became National Treasurer twelve years ago. He has worked tirelessly at negotiating with the most senior levels in both the navigation authorities and government to ensure boater’s concerns are at the top of the agenda. I know he is well respected by all of them for his forthright but sensible contributions to discussions. He has often willingly spent several days a week in this work. He will be a knowledgeable and significant contributor to CRT Council discussions.”

Paul Le Blique, AWCC Chairman,  said

“David has thorough knowledge of the inland waterways gained through many years of practical boating. He is held in high regard by members of AWCC, other waterway organisations and the boating community for his understanding and will for fair play. David would be a worthy champion for the future of our waterways.”

David expresses his thanks for a broad range of support in this election.

Read his full election statement below:

But remember – tell all boaters – to get out and VOTE!

 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is given to all Club Representatives that the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs will take place at:

Stafford Boat Club
off Maple Wood, Wildwood, Staffordshire ST17 4SG

on

Saturday 17^th March 2012
commencing 11:30am

Resolutions for inclusion in the agenda

Clubs are advised that they are required to submit any resolutions to the National Secretary on or before 7th January 2012.

Nominations for the Executive posts listed below

National Chairman
National Vice Chairman
National Secretary
National Treasurer
National Communications Officer

must be received by the National Secretary by 25th February 2012

Each Club is entitled to send up to two representatives to the meeting.

Each Club is entitled to one vote for any resolutions which require a vote
or to elect National Officers.

All AWCC Club Representatives will receive formal notification of the meeting and booking forms by post and by email on or before 18th December 2011. Please contact the AWCC National Secretary if you do not receive your notification by that date

The AWCC will, as usual, be attending the Crick Boat Show from 2nd to 5th June 2012.

If you’d like to meet a member of your Executive committee and offer them your views, or find out more about what AWCC Clubs can offer boaters, or simply say hello, just drop by the AWCC stand.

We look forward to seeing you.

Follow this link to find out more about the Show.

See you there!

The AWCC response to the DEFRA consultation on The New Era for the Waterways document is available below as a PDF file.

The response was produced by Geoff Ashton –  AWCC President, Paul Le Blique – AWCC National Chairman, Richard Elder – NEC Member, and David Pearce – NEC Parliamentary Representative (and former AWCC National Chairman), and was approved by the NEC on 26th JUne 2011.

Paul Le Blique acknowledges the time and effort put in by the above members in producing our response.

A New Era for the Waterways – AWCC response