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Boaters to elect their representatives on the Canal & River Trust’s National Council

9th Feb 2012

Voting has opened to select the seven volunteers who will be elected onto the new 35-strong Council of the Canal & River Trust.

Four positions will be elected by boat licence holders and two positions elected by boating businesses. Employees of the Canal & River Trust will also elect a staff representative to the Council.

Tony Hales, chair of the Canal & River Trust, said: “We had a very good response to our call for candidates and now it is time for licence holders to take up their voting rights and have their say on who will be their representative on Council.

Hands-on experience

The boating community has a wealth of hands-on experience of the waterways, and having boaters and boating businesses involved is essential to the success of the Canal & River Trust.”

Ballot packs are being sent to all eligible voters and each will have a 30-day period in which to cast their vote. Voting opens on 8 February and closes at 12noon on 9 March 2012.

Votes can be cast via a designated website or by phone – with full details given in the ballot pack. Voting by post will also be possible for this inaugural Council election. The election is being managed by Electoral Reform Services.

For details of the candidates and election process visit www.waterscape.com/trust.

Experience and perspective

The new Canal & River Trust will take over the responsibilities of British Waterways in England & Wales this summer. The Trust’s Council will be the guardian of its long-term values and purposes. The Council will have an important role in helping to shape policy, raising and debating issues, and providing guidance, perspective and a sounding board for the trustees. It will also have the power to appoint or dismiss trustees.

The Council Members of the Canal & River Trust Council will be expected to bring the experience and perspective of the constituency they represent and to provide a voice for their interests. In exercising this role they will have to at all times act in the interests of the charitable purposes of the Trust. Members will serve for a term of four years.

Last updated: 09/02/2012

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