This letter was sent to Kelvin Hopkins my local MP by Richard Benyon MP who passed it onto me, dated 28/11/2011
Dear Kelvin,
Thank you for your letter of 14th November to the secretary of state enclosing a copy of an email from your constituent,Mr D.Winter of (my address), about the transfer of British Waterways into a charitable sector.I am replying as minister responsible for this policy area.
I can assure you that the government remains committed to a sustainable future for our inland waterways. This was demonstrated by our announcement in October 2010 that,subject to parliamentary approval, we would transfer the functions and assets of British Waterways in England and Wales from state into civil society. The transfer to the new Canal & River Trust (CRT) is expected to take place in April 2012.
This transfer will not only give users and communities more responsibility foe governance of the waterways, it will also open up new income streams and material public support at a time when there is considerable pressure on other sources of income. Potential sources of new revenue include fund raising activities, donations, charitable grants and legacies; in addition, the charity will be able to borrow against its property assets, and develop further its commercial activities. Charitable status will also increase volunteering, enhance local partnership working and generate a range of cost efficiencies.
The Government will give the new charity the best start it can afford. Government has already agreed to transfer a property portfolio (valued at about £460 million) and to give the CRT a long term funding agreement. The Government has provided a commitment to £39m per annum from 2012/13 to April 2022. The terms and conditions of the funding agreement are currently subject to negotiation between the Trustees of the charity and the Government. A long-term agreement will enable the Trustees to develop a long-term business plan.
You will appreciate that, until those negotiations are concluded, I am unable to indicate the final terms of Government funding for the charity. We will make further announcements in due course.
Richard Benyon.
Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries
About Me
- Dave Winter
- At the moment I am caring full time for a family member and when the time comes I will be selling up and living on a narrowboat.I enjoy reading,especially about those living on narrowboats and their daily lives.The tug Nb Resolute in the above picture is NOT mine but is owned by Dave Moore and is something I would aspire to own one day although I am going to look at many boats before I make a decision on the style and interior.Tugs are looking good at the moment but have yet to look around one. My interest in narrowboats started some 47 years ago. As a lad I cycled from Luton to bridge 111 on the G.U.by the Globe to fish and watch the Morton and Clayton boats go by,full of coal with a family on board and always wondered how they kept their balance on the planks that ran above the coal and why the the dogs didnt jump in the canal.That fascination has stayed with me so when I am able I will be there on my narrowboat joining in the great community of boat owners. Find me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/brassiclint or listen to my music site.Use earphones or earplugs depending on your musical taste :) http://blip.fm/Dave_Winter
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