The Canal & River Trust: FAQs

What has been proposed?

As part of its reform of public bodies, the Government has decided to transfer British Waterways’ network in England and Wales from the public sector into a new charitable trust for the waterways.

What will the new charity be called?

The new charity will be called the Canal & River Trust and, in Wales, Glandwr Cymru.

Why does British Waterways need to be changed?

The waterways have been transformed in the 40 years since British Waterways was set up and they are now better used and busier than ever. They also however face enormous challenges which were not envisaged under the 1960s legislation which established the organisation.
In May 2009 therefore British Waterways launched a new strategy recommending that it be moved into the ‘third sector’ as a way of closing its funding gap and giving stakeholders greater involvement in the running of the network.

Does this mean that British Waterways will be privatised?

No. In British Waterways' place will be a new charity caring for the waterways. The Canal & River Trust will strengthen the link between the waterways and local people and elected bodies at a local and national level.

How will the Canal & River Trust be funded?

The Canal & River Trust will be funded through a combination of income from Government, boat licences, third party grants and commercial activities. The main change will be through the establishment of a guaranteed, long-term contract with Government (giving greater certainty over funding); a ‘charity lock’ on British Waterways’ property endowment and; growing income from tax relief and charitable sources (e.g. donations, legacies etc).

What will the funding contract with Government be?

The Government intends to replace British Waterways’ annual grant with a long-term, guaranteed contract for the new charity. The transition trustees of the Canal & River Trust are currently in negotiations with Government about the level of this funding contract.

How will the new charity be run?

A new council of representatives will be established – bringing in a range of interests such as boaters, anglers, heritage, environment, local authorities etc – with oversight over a Board of Trustees. The Board will have the responsibility for the running of the organisation and for the appointment and oversight of directors. At a local area, Waterway Partnerships will be set up to give local people and groups a greater role in the running of waterways.

Who are the transition trustees?

In May 2011, eight transition trustees were appointed to work with British Waterways’ Board on establishing the Canal & River Trust until it takes control.

Tony Hales, British Waterways’ chairman, has been appointed to chair the charity’s founding trustee directors. The other transition trustees recommended by the Advisory Panel are: Lynne Berry, boat owner and chief executive of WRVS; John Bridgeman, British Waterways vice chairman and leading expert in competition and fair trading; Jane Cotton, change management expert and a deputy chief executive and HR director of Oxfam; John Dodwell, long-term waterways campaigner and former chair of the Commercial Boat Operators Association; Tom Franklin, leading advisor on open spaces and chief executive of the Ramblers; Nigel Hugill, British Waterways board member and property expert and; Simon Thurley, historian and chief executive of English Heritage.

What needs to be done to move British Waterways into a new charity?

British Waterways is working with Defra and other stakeholders to put in place transitional arrangements; establishing the new governance structure and; agreeing a smooth transition into the new body.

Will there need to be a new Act of Parliament to establish the new waterways charity?

The transfer of the business of BW, including its powers and obligations, to the Canal & River Trust will be done using Order making powers to be created under through the proposed Public Bodies Bill.

Will there be job losses?

During these difficult economic times British Waterways, and its successor, the Canal & River Trust, will always have to look for efficiencies. The transfer itself however will not require job losses and existing BW staff will transfer to the new Trust on their existing terms and conditions.

When will the new charity be created?

The new Trust is expected to launch in April 2012.

What will be the scope of the new charity?

The core of the new charity will be made up from British Waterways’ existing network of canals and rivers in England and Wales which will be transferred to the new charity in 2012. Defra has stated its intention to move other river navigations currently under the management of the Environment Agency to the new charity in 2015. It has also been agreed in principal that the museums, archives, canals and staff of The Waterways Trust in England and Wales will merge with the new Canal & River Trust.

In the future there is no reason why the Trustees of the Canal & River Trust could not decide to accept the responsibility or ownership of other waterways, subject to viability.

What about the waterways BW currently cares for in Scotland?

The Scottish Government has decided that Scotland’s waterways will not become part of the new charity. Scotland’s canals will be kept in the public sector as part of a new scheme, “Scotland Hydro Nation”. The Waterways Trust Scotland will also continue to operate.

Last updated: 14/10/2011