SUMMARY OF WBCT’S AGM 2020
WBCT’s first, & hopefully only virtual AGM was held on Saturday Oct 17th; this summary highlights the salient points raised that will be of general interest. A formal report will be issued in due course for approval at the AGM 2021
Chairman’s Report
Brian Stovold began by confirming that virtual AGMs are legal until the end of December 2020. He said that after a difficult few years the Trust is exhibiting a new professionalism; our financial & membership information systems are much improved, as are our internal & external communications. He introduced the Trustees, who meet bi-monthly and whose role is to ensure compliance and manage the Trust’s strategy. He thanked the three members of staff – Patricia, Nancy & Elaine, and as boating is a core activity thanked the skippers, crew and all who operate and maintain our boats.
Brian then ran through the formal stages including reappointment of Trustees. Rod Bluh presented the accounts as already circulated; they showed that after the previous year’s losses we had made a small profit in 2019-20. That concluded the formal part of the meeting.
CEO’s Report
Gordon Olson started by remarking that he has seen the whole atmosphere in the Trust change for the better since Branches were re-empowered. The last year had been difficult, but core overheads had been reduced by £35,000 pa, management of membership had improved since the re-engagement of Martin Stubbs, and communications with members and the general public had improved with the appointment of a Head of Comms. There is currently a realistic prospect of being able to get a crossing under the M4; all these were good outcomes for a charity that had been in survival mode. Plans are in place to rebuild Chaddington Lane (Bincknoll Lane) bridge, and an unauthorized attempt by developers to block the canal at Stockham, in Wantage, has been dealt with by planning enforcement; the footbridge at the site will, after all, be installed.
Gordon’s principal objectives have been
- To increase membership
- Stabilise finances by becoming self-sustaining from membership income
- Overhaul all Health & Safety policies
- Resume restoration
- Improve Communications – On The Button will be sent out monthly, Dragonfly quarterly, with a ‘Dragonfly Plus’ issue for the AGM
- To resolve the strategic problem we have with water supply by setting up a Water Action Group, chaired by Derek Flexer
- To build relationships with the Cotswold Canals Trust, the Inland Waterways Association & the Canal & Rivers Trust
He now feels that the Trust is back on track, and an astounding amount of work is going on.
Head of Projects Report
Tessa Lanstein listed the 13 projects currently planned, under construction or completed, starting from the eastern end of the canal line
- Childrey Wharf. The wall has collapsed & needs rebuilding
- Stockham, Wantage. One of the few stretches we own; needs clearing, re-watering & dredging; the intention is to make it one of our model sites.
- Shrivenham – Canal Park has just received £14,000 funding for re-watering & habitat improvement. It also needs improved signage & information boards, as it is on a popular circular walk.
- Steppingstones Bridge, Shrivenham – the wing walls need new foundations & re-building. This was to have been done by a WRG group this year but Covid intervened; Tessa is hopeful that this will happen in 2021
- Swindon New Eastern Villages. A massive planning exercise, involving much work by Rod Hacker & others to ensure the canal line is protected adequately
- Westleaze Wharf, Swindon. Thanks to David Watkins for enabling Dragonfly to be taken out of the water for her refurb; plans to construct a concrete slipway there are part of a wider planning application; its construction awaits completion of the planning process
- M4 crossing – our application for the Feasibility & Design phase was postponed for consideration pending some additions recommended by Highways England; their next meeting is in November and we have reason to hope for a favourable outcome.
- Chaddington Lane (aka Binknoll Lane) bridge near Royal Wootton Bassett – two funding applications have been rejected, but in the process our plans & costings have improved; further bids will be made.
- Hancock’s Water Bridge, Royal Wootton Bassett – this footbridge had been vandalized last year; the RWB Work Party raised funds and have now replaced it, using their work boat & a pontoon to bring the heavy materials to the site, using the canal for its original purpose. This was a good example of a Work Party ‘just getting on with it’.
- Peterborough Arms – the MCC Work Party are continuing with roof repairs and refurbing the letting rooms as & when funds & materials permit
- Destination Lacock – this is in the early stages of stakeholder engagement prior to a planning application.
- Pewsham Locks – numerous activities planned there; the waiting wall is now rebuilt, funds are in place & work has just started on the accommodation bridge & wing walls. The keeper’s cottage, dry dock, carpenter’s workshop and the locks themselves will need further fundraising to progress.
- Melksham Link – after long delays, all but two of the Environment Agency’s objections have been overcome; Michelle Donelan MP is assisting with further progress.
Tessa concluded by pointing out that all this activity needs a lot of work at all sorts of levels, and asked that anyone interested in helping in any way should contact their Branch Chair, whose details can be found on the website, or via info@wbct.org.uk
Brian then announced the winners of this year’s annual awards –
- Tony Davy Members cup, for the member who had submitted the most hours – with 2,000 hours submitted the winner was Gordon Olson
- Tony Davy crystal, for the Branch with the most hours – with 12,000 hours the winner was MCC / Foxham & Lyneham Branch
- The second Tony Davy Crystal, for the branch with the largest increase in hours – West Vale, with an increase from 1,375 to 2.763 hours.
- The Pick of the Branches, for the Branch with the largest increase in membership - Swindon
The total volunteer hours over the entire Trust was 27,620 – pretty good for a Trust emerging from survival mode! Brian has the awards and will distribute them in due course.
Lastly, Brian reminded us of the 200 club – for £20 pa you can win a prize of up to £250; any surplus goes to a fund to which Branches can bid for equipment etc. He also asked members in Royal Wootton Bassett to look at, & comment on, the Neighbourhood Plan just out for consultation. Please go to https://www.royalwoottonbassett.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning/ for further information
Q and A
The final part of the meeting was the Open Forum, in which members had submitted questions. These were as follows (questions & answers paraphrased here) –
Q – Does the Trust have links with the Guiding & Scouting movement?
A – Some Branches already have links, but there is always more that can be done
Q – Can the Trust purchase a rake attachment to clear weeds?
A – Ask your Branch Chair, who can apply to the 200 club
Q – What Plans does the Trust have to raise its profile in the community?
A – Numerous – new items are appearing on the website on a weekly basis; posts on Facebook reach 1- 14,000 people several times each week; we have already been in touch with three of our five MPs; we are looking at local radio and have done several interviews in the last year; we are setting up online talks.
Q – Do you have a timescale to get boats from the Kennet & Avon into Melksham?
A – We have been working on this for the last 7 years; planning consent cannot be granted until the Environment Agency’s objections have been resolved, but we are now getting help at Parliamentary level (see above). Once planning consent is given, funding is already in place.
Q – Can you show what percentage of the canal line is navigable?
A – currently only 6.9% is navigable; the interactive map on the website illustrates this at https://www.wbct.org.uk/enjoy-discover/interactive-map
Q – what is the Trust’s position on the planned reservoir near Abingdon?
A – This concept first appeared in the 1920s! The matter lies with Thames Water; the Trust’s position is that should the reservoir be constructed the canal would need to be diverted. Thames Water is well aware of this.
Q – Have we been in touch with Cotswold Canals Trust about the concept of water transfer from the Severn to the Thames?
A – Yes; our CEO is in direct contact with theirs; WBCT & the CCT are both members of the Wiltshire Swindon & Oxfordshire Partnership
Q – Please arrange a vote of thanks to the Trustees, Work Party members & other volunteers
A – With the greatest pleasure!
Q – What is the next planned project?
A – Probably the Chaddington Lane / Binknoll Lane bridge
Q – What use do we plan to make of the MPs whose support we have secured?
A – We have already met with two and informed a third of a potential situation. All have expressed a willingness to support our aims in whatever way they can. In particular, two are engaged in supporting our case to the Environment Agency, locally with the Melksham Link & strategically in the case of overall water resources.
Brian concluded by encouraging members to join the 200 club – for details to to https://www.wbct.org.uk/get-involved/200club and to support the Peterborough Arms by eating there. Finally he wished to record our congratulations to our sister Trust, Cotswold Canals, for winning a £8.9 Million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund that, with other grants, allow them to connect the canal at Stroud with the national system via the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal – their equivalent of our Melksham Link!
Attendance at the meeting peaked at 75 participants with more than 70 participants throughout the meeting.
