FYCA Page

Notes from the BW(S) USER GROUP MEETING AT THE FALKIRK WHEEL 26 MARCH 2011

On Saturday I was at the Falkirk Wheel by invitation of BWScotland for a user group meeting. We were updated on England/Scotland corporate changes and how BW(S) intends to cope with its cut in funding over the coming year. They had a reduction of £500k last year. This year their grant will be down by another £1.5million, on top of which they are expected to make 3% savings to be handed to the treasury. This represents a total funding cut of 16%.

BW(S) is recruiting very few seasonal staff this year. They are saving £250k by voluntary redundancy and part-time working. BW(S) pays £1.5million to BW for corporate services. With BW(S) going it alone negotiations are afoot to cut this by £500k. Non essential maintenance, grass cutting, litter picking etc will be much reduced. That done will be contracted out. Initiatives are being launched to train users in self operation of locks and recruit volunteers. Hire boats will be vetted for self operation. BW(S) is upskilling banks men to do more technical maintenance.

Some training in lock operation is necessary because of the security measures in place. There is more to it than winding paddles up and down and opening and closing lock gates.

Last year it cost £700 in operating costs to take a boat through the F&C canal one way, for which I paid £50. Clearly that is not sustainable. Lock opening hours will be reduced. These are currently under review. Transiting boats will be offered participation to reduce bank crewing. BW(S) can then re-deploy some banksmen. Four dates for lock operation training are to be offered. These will appear on the Scottish Canals website.

The current year is viewed as one of transition as BW(S) sorts out ways of coping with much less money.

At the meeting some narrow boat owners gave BW(S) a hard time. I think BW(S) has good managers and they are making the best of a difficult situation.

Sandy Paton, Carron sea lock operator, is retiring this year.

Regards,

Paul