IWA chairman steps down

FOLLOWING failure to gain influence in the new Canal & River Trust (CART) which replaced British Waterways a month ago, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) National Chairman, Clive Henderson, is to step down, writes Allan Richards.

Whilst he has expressed a willingness to continue as an IWA trustee he has told the IWA board 'the time is right for a new chairman to take over the role'.

Board appointment

Clive Henderson was appointed to British Waterways Board as an observer two years ago with a press release stating that it was a prelude to the possible creation of 'two new positions of special advisers to the Board in order to support the proposed transition of British Waterways' canals and rivers into civil society'. The press release went on to say that the positions would have full Board member status.

However, this did not happen, and he spent two years effectively gagged at British Waterways' Board meetings, and was passed over when it came to the appointment of transition trustees.

Council

The IWA under Clive Hendersons' leadership fared no better when it came to CART's 35 strong council with the trustees deciding that IWA should have no position on it.

As such, the IWA (which is not a boating organisation) was forced to use the voting power of its membership to elect trustees as boating members of the CART Council.

Difficult time

Clive Henderson's resignation comes at a very difficult time for the IWA who now have CART as a competitor with charitable objectives very similar to its own. IWA supporters are faced with the difficult decision of being a 'member of IWA', a 'friend of CART' or both.