With the Election now in full swing, below is the message AWCC National Chairman, David Pearce gave at the recent  National AGM. This article is in the latest Newsletter AWARE available from the Newsletter tab at the top of the page.

Why you should read their manifestos ?

I made the comment in my report to the AWCC AGM that I believe that the waterways’ movement is facing a major crossroad, maybe the first really major one since the 50s and 60s.The consultant’?s report, ‘Setting a Course’ put forward the options to BW. The option of becoming a full-blown charity to run the inland waterways has been chosen, so it is now a distinct possibility.  If it is sympathetically implemented, it could be of great advantage to the many thousands of people who appreciate the inland waterways. It will allow us, the users to have a positive say in the way the waterways are run, via a Board of Trustees.

Will it become a reality?  I have met with the politicians and all three major parties appear to be signed up.  In the run up to an election many things are said and promises made.  After the big day, reality then strikes home with those that have won.  I can well imagine that matters of inland waterways will not be at the top of the political agenda – it never is, but there is every reason why we must try, and try hard, to ratchet it upwards.

The party manifestos are all in draft and will be published as soon the election date is confirmed.  My advice to all members is to make sure you read what they say about waterways and then quiz them when they come knocking on your door.  If enough people do this, they might just get the message that it is important to a lot of people who may just vote for them.

What are the main political issues?  Funding remains the matter of key importance and a change to charity status does not rectify that overnight.  However, charity status does create a more liberal tax regime and with a greater emphasis on volunteering, improvements can be expected.

What is essential is that the Government of the day continues to provide their grant, as this is effectively the contribution from the non-boaters who can only pay for the waterways via their tax contributions.

Of equal importance is that the new charity must have a substantial endowment.  This has to be the current BW property portfolio.  All national user group chairmen have fought hard on this one.  You may recall that I got a personal assurance from Gerry Grimstone on the matter a year ago, but a new government with other financial problems may be persuaded by a recalcitrant Treasury to take it away.  This would be extremely short sighted.

I am asking you the membership to get out there and lobby:

      Read their manifestos,

      Talk to them on the door step and in the meeting place,

      Send them letters and emails.

Get the assurance that they will, when they get to Westminster:

      Support the charity proposal,

      Not cut the Grant in Aid,

      Give the new charity the property portfolio as an endowment.

You know it makes sense!

David Pearce.

National Chairman.

David Pearce, National Chairman of the AWCC, has written to Gerry Grimstone and Yvette Cooper, expressing concern at the possibility of BW losing control of it’s Non-operational Property Portfolio and the income that generates for BW. Copies of the letters are attached below.

We understand that a number of AWCC members have also written to their MPs and to other Government Ministers in a similar vein.

The Budget on Wednesday 22nd April will tell all.

Gerry_Grimstone.pdf

Yvette_Cooper.pdf

John Edmonds,Chair of IWAC, has written to the Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, expressing his concern about an adverse outcome of the Treasury Review being carried out by Gerry Grimstone which could result in a reduction to BWs income, and arguing that BW should allowed to retain the control of and income from, the property and investment portfolio. Full information and the text of his letter are available on the IWAC website here http://www.iwac.org.uk/news/#news61

John Edmonds spoke on this subject at the AWCC AGM held at Stafford Boat Club on 14th March 2009.

The BSS have just released the attached alert on a specific type of portable stove with an integral gas canister.

“The release is made following incidents where people have been seriously burnt and is issued by the Boat Safety Scheme in association with Hampshire County Council Trading Standards.

There are many variants of such stoves and no single model or brand is implicated.

We have attached a generic image for your use and which is intended to reflect no one brand or model, but just a typical design.”

The alert discusses the possibilty of incorrect assembly which can result in the integral gas canister overheating with the possibility of a subsequent explosion.

The full information from the BSS is downloadable here nr00109-portable-gas-stoves-safety-alert-apr-09

At the request of a number of members, I have added the old Club maps under the Club Finder whilst I work on getting the new Club finder in place.

Note that the information on these maps is not fully up to date – some flags may be shown on the map indicating Clubs that are no longer part of the AWCC, and some Clubs may not be shown on the maps.

Please check with the handbook and the 2009 updates for the latest information on a Club

Brian Rich
AWCC Communications Officer