APPWG recalled

THE All Party Parliamentary Waterways Group (APPWG) has been recalled by its chairman, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, and will be meeting today, 31st October 2012, to review governance and funding issues relating to British Waterways move to the third sector as the Canal & River Trust.

British Waterways' transition trustees headed up by chairman Tony Hales will be present, writes Allan Richards.

Up or down?

In July this year, following an inquiry which took evidence from such bodies as British Waterways, the Inland Waterways Advisory Council and the Inland Waterways Association, the APPWG produced a memorandum, The Future of The Waterways.

This document supported the move of British Waterways to the third sector but was critical on issues surrounding governance and funding.

Prevent further deterioration

The recall follows a presentation given at British Waterways' annual meeting where it was claimed that its funding gap (the difference between actual spend and that needed to prevent further deterioration of the waterways) had fallen to £20m and could be held at that level for the next ten years.

Unfortunately, British Waterways' chief executive has already informed the APPWG that the funding gap had risen from British Waterways' previous figure of £30m to £39m.

Up or down? Hopefully, the APPWG will get some answers!