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The Politick

Where it can be said or thought.

Example response to second consultation on BW charity

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Here is an example response to the second DEFRA consultation on transferring BW to charity status. Despite complaints, the deadline is still 24th October. It’s always best to put responses in your own words, if possible. The example response contains an introductory statement, replies to the questions about England and Wales, and replies to the questions about Scotland. If you answer the questions about Scotland there’s a separate email address for the replies. Please take the time to respond if you can – it’s important that DEFRA is aware of our concerns.

Important second consultation on BW transfer to charity

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

DEFRA and BW have announced a second consultation on certain aspects of the order which will transfer BW to charity status. This will take place between 12th September and 24th October. In particular the consultation covers whether the new waterways charity should be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Please respond to the consultation – there have been a lot of them recently but this is also important!

Boaters submit evidence to Public Bodies Bill committee

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

The Public Bodies Bill, which proposes to transfer BW to charity status, is being examined in detail by the Public Bill Committee in the House of Commons. A number of boaters and boating groups submitted written evidence to the Committee, including boaters on the K and A, Grand Union, London waterways and in the North West.

Write to your MP before BW Charity Bill goes to Commons Committee in September

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

The Public Bodies Bill, which will transfer BW to charity status, will be considered by the Public Bill Committee in the House of Commons between 8 September and 13 October. The Committee will consider the Bill in detail and probably make more amendments. The Committee Chair is David Amess, the Conservative MP for Southend West.

Please write to your own MP as a matter of urgency asking him/ her to make sure that the British Waterways amendment (99A) is deleted from the Bill.

MP asks Parliamentary Question on behalf of liveaboard boaters

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Duncan Hames, the Liberal Democrat MP for Chippenham, whose constituency includes the Kennet and Avon canal between Dundas and Hilperton, was contacted recently by a number of boaters concerned that the transfer of BW to charity status would put them at increased risk of homelessness. As a result, Mr Hames asked this question in the House of Commons on their behalf:

Public Bodies Bill: Boaters group writes to 626 MPs but BW amendment goes through

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

The National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) recently wrote to all 626 MPs urging them to vote against the British Waterways (BW) amendment to the Public Bodies Bill. The second reading of the Bill took place on 12 July in the House of Commons.

Write to your MP NOW!!

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Please write to your MP NOW!! and ask him or her to vote against the British Waterways amendment to the Public Bodies Bill (amendment 99A). The Bill will be debated in the House of Commons on 12th July. Please ask your family and friends to write to their MPs as well.

You can find out who your MP is from
http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ or http://www.writetothem.com/

Ian Dewey to resign!

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

According to a reliable source, BANES Councillor Ian Dewey, who has done so much harm by perpetuating prejudice against liveaboard boaters within the Council and associated Parish Councils, is to step down this May.

Boat dwellers excluded from caravan count

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Despite promises from both Wiltshire and Bath and NE Somerset Councils, it appears that the Government has ordered boat dwellers to be excluded from the two-yearly caravan count which took place on 27 January 2011.

BW is becoming a charity – what does this mean for boaters?

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Most of us will have heard by now that BW is going to become a “Third Sector” organisation, in other words a charity. At least, that is what the government and BW want. There are two important questions for boaters. First, what will it mean legally, and second, is it really a done deal?

Firstly, all the current legislation will still apply apart from some minor exceptions. The 1971, 1983 and 1995 British Waterways Acts and the 1962 and 1968 Transport Acts will apply as they do now.

Kennet and Avon Boating Community Website

The Politick

Example response to second consultation on BW charity

Important second consultation on BW transfer to charity

Boaters submit evidence to Public Bodies Bill committee

Write to your MP before BW Charity Bill goes to Commons Committee in September

MP asks Parliamentary Question on behalf of liveaboard boaters

Public Bodies Bill: Boaters group writes to 626 MPs but BW amendment goes through

Write to your MP NOW!!

Ian Dewey to resign!

Boat dwellers excluded from caravan count

BW is becoming a charity – what does this mean for boaters?

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The Politick

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