Canal and River Trust Annual User Group Meeting

Canal and River Trust (CRT) National Users Group.


CRT is a charitable trust and the Navigation Authority for most of the canals and rivers in England and Wales. It also provides Navigation Authority services to Scottish government owned Scottish Canals.


I attended the 3 hour virtual meeting on Wednesday 17 May. This group meets once a year. It was chaired by Julie Sharman, Chief Operating Officer with Richard Parry, Chief Executive Officer attending to deliver the closing address.


Only 22 attendees – of which 8 were from CRT - but a strong representation from national users including IWA, NABO,CBOA and AWCC.


The format is mainly CRT officers reporting on their work in the preceding year and outlining their plans for the year ahead. I am delighted to report that the slides used have been provided promptly and attached!


They were less enthusiastic about sharing issues that they had not dealt with nor their plans to catch up.


FUND-RAISING
The new Marketing and Fund-raising Director, Maggie Gardner, set out her stall. Not impressed.
‘First ever fund-raisin Director’ – not true – but we have had fund-raisers before - Ruth Ruderham -https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/people.ruth-ruderham.html. Not effective – but!
- Other comments
‘Cause related language’
‘10 million users on the towpath’ – bit of a downgrade on numbers?
‘barrier charity’ – not many see CRT as a charity – paid for by the boaters


COMPLIANCE
Looks good with all measure in the mid 90%s


HYDROLOGY
Drought now affects 15% of network year round
2003 Water Act abolished historic agreements
CRT has now had to re-apply for all abstraction agreements with a new cost and new shorter licences.
This transfers DEFRA grant from CRT back to DEFRA!


PROJECTS
1000 hours of qualified volunteers (eg construction workers) in direct support of CRT staff.
Want to expand this concept.


CEO
22/23 deficit expected to be £15m
DEFRA Grant level for last 5 years of 15 – a drop in real terms.
Future annual deficits expected be £20M+
Result of DEFRA review of future grant due last year
Still awaited


CRT have contingency plans for reduced grants – shared with DEFRA - includes waterway closures.

Happy to take any queries as this is only a brief update.