Brian on Harnser wrote: ------------------------------------ > > I like this idea of using "user groups" I take it the user groups go > round and speak to all the users to find their opinions, I can't > remember them asking me, but then again I can't remember voting for any > "user group" members. They are elected I take it as they seam to > represent me? >
As chair of the Glos & Sharpness & River Severn Users' Forum, (also known as a local User Group in other parts of the system) perhaps I might try to explain. The header of our documentation reads "An advisory body established under the Transport Act 1968 to provide an effective channel for communication, consultation and discussion between the relevant Statutory Bodies, organisations and individuals who are responsible for, have an interest in, or use the Gloucester - Sharpness Canal (including Sharpness Docks) and the navigable River Severn between Gloucester Lock and Upper Lode Lock." I've only been in post for a few weeks and have no idea what the Transport Act actually says about this. Our user group is attended by a wide range of individuals and bodies, subject to their paying a tenner a year to help cover admin costs. As this results in a small funding surplus we try to donate some cash occasionally to organisations doing things of general use to canal or river users. The range of organisations is wide, including parish councils, moorers from specific locations, navigation authorities, IWA, heritage people, restoration societies, canalside businesses, model boat clubs, anglers and ramblers. Some are essentially "self-appointed" (e.g. I send myself along as an unelected representative for the moorings that I use). There are currently 53 organisations on the mailing list (not all paid up), with typically half of them turning up at any individual meeting. BW usually sends along six or so reps to the meetings, including the local regional manager and ordinary staff members (bridge-keepers, engineers and the like). The group makes no pretence of being representative of anyone other than organisations that turn up to the meetings. In my opinion the forum acts as a useful conduit for problems of a very wide range to be aired (emphatically not just boating issues) and for anyone with an issue to be pointed in the right direction. The minutes are on the BW website at: <http://www.britishwaterways.com/listening-to-you/meetings/local-and-national-meetings> although I've just noticed that there's not much for 2009 uploaded yet in our region (something to sort out). Successes are usually jointly with other organisations: for example, our forum recently helped find a new home for the Glos sea cadets, we acted jointly with the IWA in helping find a solution to issues with the traffic lights on the G&S , the forum was instrumental in getting safety improvements in Gloucester Lock. We're currently looking at arrangements for boats above Glos Lock. BW are generally very supportive of the forum work even if they can't or won't help on some issues, and they do receive a good cross-section of views on their activities (or lack of). Wassail! -- Martin Phillips [email protected] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
