tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.comments2014-11-07T16:20:14.717+00:00Goodbye Blackberry WayPeter Underwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234372106126330413noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-45979821447693663172014-11-07T16:20:14.717+00:002014-11-07T16:20:14.717+00:00mooring rings should be reinstated asap on the off...mooring rings should be reinstated asap on the offside of the canal in lancaster.paul beerbeernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-27832411446381567492013-04-08T01:35:33.438+01:002013-04-08T01:35:33.438+01:00exceptional journal web templates
http://ea.dev.t...exceptional journal web templates <br />http://ea.dev.ticcon.net/index.php?title=Benutzer:LetaLangf<br />http://thebahamasgottalent.com/groups/very-important-criteria-from-referencement-naturel-space-excellent-post-on/<br />http://latencyemulator.com/?q=node/358006<br />http://aniloca.com/member/berndcalk/<br />http://deptak.org/blogs/user/AlfieDENQ<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-87172954193854214612013-03-20T16:14:03.392+00:002013-03-20T16:14:03.392+00:00must look at this zMwhCsDH [URL=http://www.cheapd...must look at this zMwhCsDH [URL=http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/]designer handbags for less[/URL] for gift byPBvyrx [URL=http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/ ] http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/ [/URL] <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-82204498953549139202013-03-15T10:21:51.964+00:002013-03-15T10:21:51.964+00:00view gWpUCncx [URL=http://www.cheapdesigner--hand...view gWpUCncx [URL=http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/]discount designer handbags[/URL] for gift edQpGSED [URL=http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/ ] http://www.cheapdesigner--handbags.weebly.com/ [/URL] <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-1372013161723089922013-03-08T02:47:37.821+00:002013-03-08T02:47:37.821+00:00you will like nBnTTGFX [URL=http://www.louisvuitt...you will like nBnTTGFX [URL=http://www.louisvuittonoutletshop.tumblr.com/]louis vuitton outlet stores[/URL] with low price BtqbFmHS [URL=http://www.louisvuittonoutletshop.tumblr.com/ ] http://www.louisvuittonoutletshop.tumblr.com/ [/URL] <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-9529275150359486652013-02-15T14:59:58.297+00:002013-02-15T14:59:58.297+00:00web page for short your hair
http://www.blueskych...web page for short your hair <br />http://www.blueskychannel.tv/blog/134385<br />http://meridian.hostsofamerica.com/node/51729<br />http://autositesonline.com/node/44975<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-29340718922439638932013-02-12T18:21:01.912+00:002013-02-12T18:21:01.912+00:00Well put peter Well put peter Phil nb Ellanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-59910422246566877972013-02-12T10:28:12.438+00:002013-02-12T10:28:12.438+00:00Statement on George's Pork and Poultry Shop fr...Statement on George's Pork and Poultry Shop from the Canal & River Trust<br />http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/statement-on-georges-pork-and-poultry-shopCanal and River Trusthttp://canalrivertrust.org.uk/statement-on-georges-pork-and-poultry-shopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-80283185675272896582013-02-06T12:58:50.599+00:002013-02-06T12:58:50.599+00:00Having read this letter I think its absoloutly sha...Having read this letter I think its absoloutly shamefull on the part of the CRT to close this business down, all it will do is cause bad feeling amongst boaters who CRT say are at the heart of the canal systemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-84317730976846533972012-12-12T10:00:55.044+00:002012-12-12T10:00:55.044+00:00[url=http://dcxvssh.com]qopgDQtQwLOvuIspx[/url] - ...[url=http://dcxvssh.com]qopgDQtQwLOvuIspx[/url] - <a href="http://bjfuswuq.com" rel="nofollow">rPNhlUdEazKUx</a> , http://hhmgziigpu.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-71514897523681780402011-11-28T15:26:43.524+00:002011-11-28T15:26:43.524+00:00(continued post)
Dredging. Yes, more needs to be ...(continued post)<br /><br />Dredging. Yes, more needs to be done. But when you mention getting boats to the side anywhere, we need to remember the canals were never designed for that. Cargo carrying narrow boats didn’t need to tie up everywhere. They went from deep water wharf to deep water wharf. That’s why I – in my 3ft draft 51ft old BCN tug - can’t get into the side on the Macclesfield or the Ashby in many places; and look at the sloped sides on the new Telford parts of the north Oxford.<br /><br />Enforcement. The CRT Trustees know more needs to be done – see our 6th October 2011 announcement about moorings and residential boats being among our priorities (see www.britishwaterways.co.uk/media/documents/Trustee-Announcement-The-Canal-and-River-Trust.pdf<br />Like you, I dislike going at tickover for too long. In fact, with a 35 HP engine and a 25 inch prop, I sometimes find tickover is too fast and have to go into neutral.<br /><br />Tunnel or other collapse? Yes, CRT is taking on that risk – inherent with artificial waterways. Might be worth remembering the big Mon and Brec breach was repaired – at a £8m cost. And that the Stourbridge and Caldon and Shroppie breaches were repaired at under £1m each. BW had to find the money for all those and did so – there wasn’t any extra funding available from Government. And you mentioned Netherton Tunnel – well, the problem is that ground movement is slowly forcing the bottom of the arch nearer the water surface which is why it is monitored to see how much it is moving (see page 45 of the September edition of Canal Boat for a full explanation). It was OK when I went through it twice this summer – apart from one spot (which I reported to the waterway manager). The tunnel is scheduled for repairs in the next financial year. BW’s engineers are currently scoping out exactly what the best solution will be, but needless to say a repair of this complexity and magnitude will cost hundreds of thousands.<br /><br />Hope all this helps and isn’t grandma telling you how to suck eggs. It won’t answer everything, I know. Can you spread the info?<br /><br />John Dodwell<br />Transitional Trustee<br />Canal & River TrustJohn Dodwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-83250667161127318582011-11-28T15:25:19.998+00:002011-11-28T15:25:19.998+00:00Geoff: I hope I can throw some light on some of wh...Geoff: I hope I can throw some light on some of what you mentioned on 15 November; sorry for the delay but I’ve been busy with CRT matters.Spl;it into 2 posts.<br /><br />Bridges and Tunnels etc. On what will be the CRT waterways, there are 1,650 locks, 3,095 bridges, 413 aqueducts and 55 Tunnels. They are part of about 10,000 structures called Principal Assets. These include many culverts – the little tunnels taking streams etc under canals which most of us never see; unfortunately they cause problems if they collapse. All these items are inspected monthly to make sure they haven’t changed or – if they have, the changes are monitored until repairs are needed.<br /><br />At present, these structures are graded A to E, according to their state of repair; A is best and E is worst. They are also graded 1 to 5, according to the consequences of collapse with 1 being not very much and 5 being possible cause of death. So A1 is fine: E5 is very bad. There are no E5s. BW’s last annual report showed 17.9% in the D and E category, two years before, it was 20.3%. This grading helps to decide where to direct resources for maintenance.<br /><br />I know that north Oxford Canal bridge you mention and have navigated through it on a number of times. It is an accommodation bridge, not a road bridge. So it’s not very high up the priority list. Before I became a trustee, I and others who were concerned about it asked BW about their plans for it – was it going to be demolished? No, we were told, it’s got heritage importance; the abutment bases had failed and it wasn’t a simple repair job. I can now say that this bridge is due to be repaired in 2012 and that it is planned that volunteers will do part of the work.<br /><br />Water supply. This is crucial for the whole network. Rainwater goes into reservoirs or direct into the canal or can be pumped up from the underground water aquifers; in some cases, from sewage works – e.g. Autherley, one reason why the Staffs and Worcs and Shropshire Union are usually Ok. So if there are prolonged periods of no rain, there are problems. The statistics for the Crofton area show ground water levels (from which they pump) were the lowest for 90 years. In the Braunston/Oxford Canal summit area, it has been the driest 12 month period from October 2010 to September 2011, since records began in 1910. Some money was allocated this year for reservoir works whilst levels were low. In addition, the Waterways and Water Management team are in the process of identifying short-term, ad hoc schemes to improve the likelihood of reservoirs refilling from their exceptionally low levels, and plan to present these to BW Directors for funding approval very soon.<br /><br />Although a ten-mile stretch of the K&A has just succumbed to the drought, it is worth noting that because of the way the water is now managed, the teams on the ground got us through this year’s main cruising season without having to close any waterway - just.<br /><br />You suggest dredging reservoirs. Well, yes…..but. Would you and I prefer dredging money to be spent on the main channel or on reservoirs because of an out-of –the –ordinary dry summer? The Leeds & Liverpool had to shut last year – but was OK this year. In some places, water is pumped back up flights – Caen Hill is one. The staff includes water experts. Like me – and I expect you – they are watching weather forecasts and praying for rain. They tell me they are trying to plan for shortages next year – will someone please tell them where it is not going to rain?<br /><br />John Dodwell<br />Transitional Trustee<br />Canal & River Trust<br /><br />(continued next post)John Dodwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-86925570934516366092011-11-28T15:25:18.979+00:002011-11-28T15:25:18.979+00:00Geoff: I hope I can throw some light on some of wh...Geoff: I hope I can throw some light on some of what you mentioned on 15 November; sorry for the delay but I’ve been busy with CRT matters.Spl;it into 2 posts.<br /><br />Bridges and Tunnels etc. On what will be the CRT waterways, there are 1,650 locks, 3,095 bridges, 413 aqueducts and 55 Tunnels. They are part of about 10,000 structures called Principal Assets. These include many culverts – the little tunnels taking streams etc under canals which most of us never see; unfortunately they cause problems if they collapse. All these items are inspected monthly to make sure they haven’t changed or – if they have, the changes are monitored until repairs are needed.<br /><br />At present, these structures are graded A to E, according to their state of repair; A is best and E is worst. They are also graded 1 to 5, according to the consequences of collapse with 1 being not very much and 5 being possible cause of death. So A1 is fine: E5 is very bad. There are no E5s. BW’s last annual report showed 17.9% in the D and E category, two years before, it was 20.3%. This grading helps to decide where to direct resources for maintenance.<br /><br />I know that north Oxford Canal bridge you mention and have navigated through it on a number of times. It is an accommodation bridge, not a road bridge. So it’s not very high up the priority list. Before I became a trustee, I and others who were concerned about it asked BW about their plans for it – was it going to be demolished? No, we were told, it’s got heritage importance; the abutment bases had failed and it wasn’t a simple repair job. I can now say that this bridge is due to be repaired in 2012 and that it is planned that volunteers will do part of the work.<br /><br />Water supply. This is crucial for the whole network. Rainwater goes into reservoirs or direct into the canal or can be pumped up from the underground water aquifers; in some cases, from sewage works – e.g. Autherley, one reason why the Staffs and Worcs and Shropshire Union are usually Ok. So if there are prolonged periods of no rain, there are problems. The statistics for the Crofton area show ground water levels (from which they pump) were the lowest for 90 years. In the Braunston/Oxford Canal summit area, it has been the driest 12 month period from October 2010 to September 2011, since records began in 1910. Some money was allocated this year for reservoir works whilst levels were low. In addition, the Waterways and Water Management team are in the process of identifying short-term, ad hoc schemes to improve the likelihood of reservoirs refilling from their exceptionally low levels, and plan to present these to BW Directors for funding approval very soon.<br /><br />Although a ten-mile stretch of the K&A has just succumbed to the drought, it is worth noting that because of the way the water is now managed, the teams on the ground got us through this year’s main cruising season without having to close any waterway - just.<br /><br />You suggest dredging reservoirs. Well, yes…..but. Would you and I prefer dredging money to be spent on the main channel or on reservoirs because of an out-of –the –ordinary dry summer? The Leeds & Liverpool had to shut last year – but was OK this year. In some places, water is pumped back up flights – Caen Hill is one. The staff includes water experts. Like me – and I expect you – they are watching weather forecasts and praying for rain. They tell me they are trying to plan for shortages next year – will someone please tell them where it is not going to rain?<br /><br />John Dodwell<br />Transitional Trustee<br />Canal & River Trust<br /><br />(continued next post)John Dodwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-34807551892757384482011-11-27T11:52:27.303+00:002011-11-27T11:52:27.303+00:00Claire
Online as a post on this blog just go to ho...Claire<br />Online as a post on this blog just go to home and you will see it listed. Also has a FB page and thst will lead you to its website a chance to sign s petition.Peter Underwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16234372106126330413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-72023747360562262432011-11-27T11:46:02.295+00:002011-11-27T11:46:02.295+00:00Is it online asnywhere?Is it online asnywhere?Claire Pagehttp://evalunacy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-52917795827662117892011-11-26T14:26:44.731+00:002011-11-26T14:26:44.731+00:00Hi Peter.
Well done, I applaud your efforts. Keep...Hi Peter.<br /><br />Well done, I applaud your efforts. Keep pushing for the new future outside of BW and make the new council understand - we will not be going away anytime soon.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />mickMike and Poppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14252646448078744534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-90904921421867614802011-11-22T23:19:21.171+00:002011-11-22T23:19:21.171+00:00Heth
You say 'After all there's not a thi...Heth<br /><br />You say 'After all there's not a thing we can do to change the funding issue, so why waste your time?'<br /><br />I call that a defeatist attitude!<br /><br />What I did was not only email my MP, as requested by IWA, but also 19 out of the 20 MP's who form APPWG.<br /><br />Here is what I said -<br /><br /><i>Dear xxxxxx<br /> <br />I am emailing you as a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Waterways. <br /> <br />I would like to congratulate the group on producing its Memorandum 'The Future of the Waterways' in July 2011. This document manages to encapsulate in a few pages the challenges facing what we now know as Canal & River Trust (CART).<br /> <br />I would draw your attention to the following extract -<br /> <br />We recommend that Government seeks an independent professional evaluation of British Waterways' financial projections and methodology to verify the financial requirements.<br /> <br />Unfortunately, Government has not heeded this advice. <br /> <br />I would ask that you read a recent article in Narrowboatworld which is largely based on such a professional evaluation -<br /> <br />http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/news-flash/3709-the-credibility-gap<br /> <br />Put simply, my concern is that the funding gap may be significantly higher than the £39m figure provided to the Group by BW's chief executive, Robin Evans, and it will rise over time as suggested in the KPMG report.<br /> <br />However, recent evidence suggests that the funding negotiations currently taking place between Defra and the CART transition trustees will be on the basis that the funding gap is just £20m for the first ten years!<br /> <br />It would seem that any chance for a viable future for our waterways rests with the APPWG ensuring that its recommendation for an independent professional evaluation is carried out.</i><br /><br />Perhaps if John would care to admit that the transition trustees are negotiating with government on the basis of a £20m funding gap and explain why this differs from what the APPWG have been told then we would have a basis from which we could move forward.Allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00394802475159024643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-91871221371158002442011-11-22T14:53:44.626+00:002011-11-22T14:53:44.626+00:00Allan,
I think it's time to let the "str...Allan,<br /><br />I think it's time to let the "straight talking" (bordering on aggro) go.<br /><br />The trustees already have a very good idea about how us boaters feel, & John seems to have an understanding of that. Enough to speak out & take the flack for a mess he didn't get the waterways into. <br /><br />IMHO you're simply transferring your frustration regarding BW management onto the trustees before they've had a chance to prove they can do better. <br />Let's give them that chance, I know funding is the main issue & will be for a long time. But you keep harping on about it, & the fact that they're unaware of what they're up against.<br /><br />You've done your research, let them do theirs. After all there's not a thing we can do to change the funding issue, so why waste your time? <br /><br />It won't be long before they come to experienced boaters for advice, they'll have no choice.<br /><br />For anyone who's interested, Odette has just posted this link on Waterscape Official:<br /><br />http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/news/3234/boaters-needed-for-canal-and-river-trust-council?mid=535<br /><br />Isn't that part of what you've been asking for? Forget the funding gap, that's their problem but it's the best we, as boaters are going to get for now. <br /><br />So go with the flow, (excuse pun)you are being listened to when you criticise, but I don't think it's helping anyone & it's getting a bit rep rep repetitive.<br /><br />Heth<br /><br />www.takeytezeyheth.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-83279227879196713722011-11-21T22:56:16.992+00:002011-11-21T22:56:16.992+00:00Hi John
You do yourself no credit saying that you...Hi John<br /><br />You do yourself no credit saying that you are not in the business of defending BW on its historical record and then spending half your post defending yourself on yours!<br /><br />Do not confuse straight talking with aggression.<br /><br />With regard to 'wait and see' on Defra funding. No thanks, by that time you might have sold us down the cut!<br /><br />FOIA - same again. The trustees need to go back to Defra and withdraw the request to be free of the act - What have you got to hide?<br /><br />Meeting? As I have previously stated, it is more important that you meet Peter and the Boater's Manifesto teamAllanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00394802475159024643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-48264092206242654462011-11-21T18:12:19.015+00:002011-11-21T18:12:19.015+00:00In reply to Allan’s post of 15 November.
On the De...In reply to Allan’s post of 15 November.<br />On the Defra funding, let’s wait till the negotiations are over – as I said in my first post, the Trustees are pushing very hard for an increase in the £39m –which we have said isn’t enough, as I also said in my first post. On FoIA, I’ll repeat what I said in my first post: let’s wait for the outcome of the present consultation.<br />Regarding BW’s historic targets, I’m not in the business of defending BW – they can do that for themselves. I’m interested in the future with CRT – yes, and learning from BW mistakes (being human, everyone, including people in BW, makes some). <br />As I said in my original post, reference was made at the October 2011 BW annual meeting that the trustees’ research showed performance pay in the charitable sector is awarded more by exception and then at lower levels than those currently applying in British Waterways.<br />Can I ask Allan why he seems so aggressive to me? My first post gave some details about me .Let me add that I volunteered at my first protest rally in 1962 at Woking ; did a lot of voluntary work on the 60’s Stourbridge Canal restoration; canoed in protest along the derelict K&A and Ashton and lower Peak Forest and Basingstoke Canals; volunteered at “Opash” and Ashtac”; volunteered on the Upper Avon rebuilding; hired boats for protest cruises (including at Christmas); was IWA General Secretary 1971-4; lobbied Parliament over the 68 Transport Act and was successful in 1973 in stopping BW being carved up under the regional water authorities; I’ve hired boats with my family and so know what it’s like to have to cope with small children on a boat; I’ve travelled over most the system and the Broads; on becoming a CRT trustee, I had to stop being chair of the CBOA and I had to leave IWAC and BWAF. I have my own 3 ft deep 51 ft long old BCN tug and sometimes cruise single-handedly; I know what it’s like when the bottom is too near the top. Maybe all that had some influence on my becoming a trustee, apart from my general wide business experience. From which readers may deduce I thought I would have common cause with Allan in wanting the best for the waterways! And I have offered to meet Allan…….<br /><br />John Dodwell<br />CRT Transitional TrusteeJohn Dodwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-79680407363357769272011-11-17T04:40:43.509+00:002011-11-17T04:40:43.509+00:00Really liked the manifesto but really struggling t...Really liked the manifesto but really struggling to lose a sense of forboding, here.<br />I am new to boating.<br />I have been astounded at just how bad the whole network is as we saw more and more of it over the last couple of years.<br />The decay wasn't just local to where we were when we started.<br />The single most important backlog, after structures (and weren't BW already nervous about Netherton Tunnel, for 4 years dismissive of Bridge 80 (or is it 88?, can't remember) on the northern Oxford, inter alia?) must be dredging and starting with reservoirs! Cofton's or the Oxford's or the Leeds Liverpool's supplies, for instance, or at least the next one that runs dry? Water shortages are here to stay, I argue, and the loss (not recently, maybe) of the many lock side ponds, twinned narrow locks with wide ones &c is now hurting us!<br />Also, when canal dredging calculations are made, what criteria are used as the benchmark? What BW think they can get away with for no money?<br />As a retired blue light responder, to me, this is basic fundamental H & S. We never did the course on walking on water, never mind the seeing round corners. Where do you think my former colleagues' nearest boat will be? Really think fire personnel are going to wade out to be broiled by a boat fire or paramedics wade across to add leptospirosis to a patient's problems? BW knows the draughts of boats. All boats must be able to get to one side in an emergency, anywhere, so the minimum profile must start out as being the original profile the canal first began with, and then to work on from there. It's no good BW/CART hiding behind SSSI's to reduce obligations (e.g. Leicester GU).<br />I must add that enforcement is a complete joke.<br />In short, there is none to speak of! In my three short years, this is what I've come across, twice at Sherborne Wharf in the middle of Brum in the small hours of two mornings nearly a year apart ticketing licence evaders (heard nothing afterwards, though but one boat had a couple) and once at the Oxford Summit closure at Marston Doles (order prevailed) but not at the other end, the Claydon Flight (complete anarchy)!<br />Rules are binary. No point in making them if they're not going to be enforced and on an industrial scale until the message gets home. My untrained eye views the Lee & Stort thing as farcical and cruising from Bath to the bottom of Caen Hill on tick over mostly, dreadful. It's disgusting that boats we were with could not get in to visit Claverton with us because of canal bank squatters, not visitors. Does that charity no favours!<br />You won't like it but I'd go further. Make B.T.Police cover canals (barking they don't cover all transport) and have them employ Specials from boaters and interested communities (though yet to see towns and villages striding down their streets in support of waterways of their own volition-more like led grudgingly by the enthused) to patrol and enforce by-laws as well as more general law and order.<br />That kite'll have contributors choking with laughter..<br />Still love boating, honest, but seems to me more and more despite authorities rather than because of them.<br />The Bristol Avon is shut at Bath I hear.<br />Just what will CART do if it loses a long tunnel on its 2nd day? Nothing, I reckon.<br />Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose?<br />Deck chairs and Titannic? You choose. Given the present climate, I fear this won't end well....<br /><br />Geoff Smith.Geoff Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-51734664869065733232011-11-15T22:05:18.638+00:002011-11-15T22:05:18.638+00:00John says
"Honestly, Allan, what possible mot...John says<br />"Honestly, Allan, what possible motive might I have to mislead anyone?"<br /><br />I don't know but you did and you have done so again. <br /><br />Would it not be more honest to include the information I sent you in your response?<br /><br />I will say no more on this matter here as the boaters manifesto asks that the executive be replaced. As such further discussion is something of a diversion!<br /><br />On the issue of retention of directors - can the transition trustees tell us how the chief executive has performed against the yearly targets he was set in 2003/4 with regard to visitor numbers and self sufficiency (i.e. government grant)?<br /><br />If the transition trustees are not aware of these targets, then why not? <br /><br />It would seem to me that these are the only relevant measures of how well BW's executive directors have performed against long term objectives.<br /><br />Can the transition trustees also tell us what the maintenance backlog will be in April next year?<br /><br />I recall that it should have been eliminated but we were told a few years ago that BW had a £200m backlog and a 30m funding gap which means it will have increased.<br /><br />Can you also provide boaters with minutes of your meetings? I made a FOIA request on 2/9/2011 for this information which has been ignored despite a requirement under law to respond within 20 working days. <br /><br />It is perhaps little wonder that the boaters manifesto asks that CART be subject to the FOIA act whilst the transition trustees take the opposing view.<br /><br />Finally, can you stop beating about the bush on funding. Tell us straight what extra funding is needed to maintain steady state and justify it!Allanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00394802475159024643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-20880115068657391022011-11-15T13:11:07.875+00:002011-11-15T13:11:07.875+00:00Well, I knew that joining in this discussion might...Well, I knew that joining in this discussion might attract comments – and I’ve not been disappointed! And I’m prepared to continue as I think it is important that we all understand as much as possible about the new Trust.<br /> <br />Sorry for the delay in responding (been a bit busy on other CRT matters) but to respond on the points above, well, Yes, I am aware of what IWA is saying about funding. Quite apart from being an IWA member and so getting their mails, IWA have, sensibly, put all the transitional trustees on their mailing lists; and they re-iterated the money point when they met some of Trustees in the summer. And yes, the Trustees do know what the APPWG said. In addition we know what IWAC said – and that was re-iterated when some of the IWAC members met some of the Trustees in September. We also know what KPMG reported. And, Yes, the Trustees have had our own look at the figures and have formed our own view. And. Yes, the Trustees have publicly said we need to persuade Defra to increase their £39m offer. We are now in the midst of discussions with Defra.<br /> <br />I think Allan may have misunderstood my query to Peter Underwood. Peter’s draft manifesto said “We believe some of the financial projections offered by British Waterways and Defra are simply wrong and need to be tested far more critically than seems the case at present” (my underlining). I was asking which financial projections concerned him. There have been more than a few! I don’t think the ones from other people which Allan mentions are the ones Peter had in mind as they are not from BW/Defra.<br /> <br />Allan mentions the pay consultants. Honestly, Allan, what possible motive might I have to mislead anyone? I’m one of the new guys in CRT; I’m one of the old guys on the waterways scene – I volunteered at my first boat rally in 1962 at Woking. I can only tell Allan what I know – which is this. The Trustees wanted to start with a clean slate about senior pay; in addition to that, we were well aware of the high feelings on this subject. What we inherit from BW is one thing. What we need to pay in the future to recruit the right staff is another thing. My first post went into detail about comparisons with other charities. The consultants were not commissioned by BW senior executives. The trustees were appointed in May. Following a meeting in June, the consultants were chosen and commissioned by Rodney Green (non-executive BW director who is also chair of the existing BW remuneration committee) and Jane Cotton (a new trustee who is Oxfam’s deputy head and heads up their human resources (personnel) side and who will chair CRT’s remuneration committee from next April). As CRT (or, as it was then called, NWC) didn’t have a formal status at that time, the consultants had to be commissioned by BW. The consultants’ report is for the trustees, not for the existing BW board. The whole subject is being discussed by the trustees alone – i.e. in the absence of executive directors. You’ll have noticed it’s been one of the first points we are dealing with. <br /> <br />Keep the questions coming, guys! If you don’t express your worries, I can’t know of them, let alone try to answer them. Now………I’m sure I’ll regret having said that but still! Just as long as you don’t expect me always to agree with you or to have all the answers. The effect of this whole move to the new Trust won’t happen overnight but with your help we can have a better future for the waterways.<br /> <br />JohnJohn Dodwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-33711906650670887772011-11-13T12:28:00.217+00:002011-11-13T12:28:00.217+00:00Maffi
Not missing at all. Says at the top this is ...Maffi<br />Not missing at all. Says at the top this is what boaters want in return for giving their enthusiasm and commitment to CandRT. What form that takes will vary from boater to boater but will (subject to real results) differ from the current widespread cynicism and disgust about BW's senior directors.Peter Underwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16234372106126330413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3842956579584094514.post-1109671203670812042011-11-13T03:22:36.519+00:002011-11-13T03:22:36.519+00:00Peter there is something missing. This manifesto s...Peter there is something missing. This manifesto says whay we want,it doesnot say what we are going to do to help the CRT. It doesn't include our 'responsibility' towards the waterways.<br /><br />It cannot say we want, we want, we want, without balancing that with a sprinkling of we wills.Maffihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03421290414058624906noreply@blogger.com