Here is the direct article placed by DEFRA and its announcement this morning (Tuesday 31st January) NABO Chairman is at a presentation by the Government during Tuesday afternoon and will no doubt comment further following that.

LET VOTING COMMENCE! – THE CRT COUNCIL ELECTION GETS UNDERWAY
by Stephen Peters
(NABO and TBA preferred candidate in the CRT elections)

The election for the Boaters’ Representatives on the Canal & River Trust Council will take another step forward on 8 February 2012, when the ballot process commences. Eligible voters (i.e. one person for each boat that has a 12-month canal or river licence) will have the opportunity to cast their votes by post, email or SMS for this first Council election.

A personal perception by Stephen Peters (A candidate in the CRT elections – I think!)

When the call went out from the Canal & River Trust asking for boaters to be nominated for election to the Council, I gave it some thought and concluded that if I were to vote for a candidate, that person would need to reflect my philosophy and boating interests. Who better, I thought, than yours truly? I was extremely grateful to both NABO and The Boating Association for co-sponsoring me.

STEPHEN RICHARD PETERS – the candidate from NABO

I gave considerable thought to what I should include in my election statement, which may be just one of dozens that will be sent out to electors in February. It reflects my considerable experience as an active, practical boat owner and volunteer involved in the inland waterways.

British Waterways met with London Boaters this week. BW identified a number of areas where they are looking at improving facilities. These include reinstalling water points at Islington and Kensal and a possible new point at Mile End. They asked for suggestions of where new rubbish points could be provided that have road access for them. There were discussions about recycling, sanitary facilities and compost toilets, the range of areas where BW are willing to provide free 10 week moorings outside the central restricted area. There was also a suggestion of providing an exception from the 14 day rule for boaters who wished to continue to move this summer.

Following closures on the K&A and GU canals, BW has alerted boaters to the drought conditions that may affect boating during 2012, through their Waterscape website. Vince Moran, BW's Operations Director said that It is no secret that parts of England have had the driest year for over 100 years which may pose problems for a proportion of our canal network.....