Minutes of Meeting held at

Swarkestone Boat Club on Saturday 10^th May 2008

 

Meeting Commenced 10.30 am

 

2. Minutes of Meeting held on March 8th 2008 at Soar Boating Club.

Proposed – Tony Collins, Seconded – Mick Griffin

3. Matters Arising

None

 

4. Chairman’s Report.

Items not covered by the agenda.

Red diesel – Detailed discussions continue between HM Revenue & Customs and British Marine Federation on workable arrangements for revenue enforcement. The suggested propulsion/domestic ratio  is 80/20. Lobby groups are suggesting various other figures. Users want at least 50/50. Talks continue.

The HM Revenue is expecting a revenue windfall of £12-15m from the application of this duty. Graham urged Clubs to lobby their MP for this money to be put back into the waterways.

Mooring Auction – BW reported that the mooring auctions have not been very successful overall. In some areas they were disastrous. BW reported they have cost up to £70/100,000. A consultation is now underway about the trial and how it has ended.

Graham attended a Waterways Users Special Interest Group (WUSIG) at Hatton. Topics discussed below:

Boat Licences – proposed changes to conditions – including late payment charge. Graham gave an example for the late payment charge. EG If license due 1^st April but not paid in April, there will be a late payment charge of £185 levied, if you pay in May, and stay on BW water during that period.

Overstaying on moorings – A crackdown on people over staying on short term moorings.

Customer Service Standards. - Graham produced a copy of the standards issued to BW employees. These are the minimum service standards and cover all aspects of the waterways service provision.

Consultations – A draft BW document on when & how BW will consult was shown to the meeting.

For further details on BW license changes, late payment fees, service standards, etc access the waterscape webpage. www.waterscape.com

5. Secretary’s Report.

No doubt since our March meeting some clubs have had their AGM’s. Please could you ensure that I have the up to date contact information for your club rep, secretary, moorings officers etc.

The Region has received a letter of resignation from Sawley Cruising Club. The letter became part of a discussion later in the meeting.

Amount raised by the raffle at the AGM for the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Appeal £32. Plus the half bottle of rum donated on the day, but not used in the raffle, was donated to them for further fund raising.

6. Treasurer’s Report.         

                 Balances @ 9/5/08               £

Bank                            929.33

                        Cash                              30.40

Sec.’s float                    50.00                                              

                                                            1009.73

B.S.                                                      1202.63                               

                        Total                                                    2212.36

 

There is an uncleared cheque for £153.50.

Saul Junction BOC Ltd. have now paid their subscription but after March 31^st. The meeting confirmed that they had no objection to their membership being continuous.

Weighbridge Cruising & Social Club is no longer in existence – no subs. had been paid.

Sawley Cruising Club has resigned. They have requested the return of a proportion of their subscription. NEC has a decision to make on the National sub.

7. Quartermaster Report.

Mooring Pin Covers.

A new supplier of mooring pin covers has been discovered and the sample covers were shown to the assembled group, and gained a warm reception.

Club Flags.

All year I have been trying to get enough interest in the Club size flag. So far I have orders for only Five, the price has now risen to £60 each. I need to order at least ten to get this price.

Membership Cards.

These have continued to sell well, although not all clubs are buying them on a regular basis, club members should have a new one on an annual basis, at only 10p. This is not an expensive item.

Handbook.

This years Handbook the Blue covered one is to sell at £1.70.

8. National Executive Report.

New NEC appointments

-           Vice-President                               Howard Smith

-           Technical Officer                           Andrew Phasey

-           Webmaster                                  Brian Rich (Cutweb)

-           Alert Editor                                    Sally Moore (SPBC)

-           Yahoo Group Moderators            Exec – Graham Myatt

                                                                                    Reps – Julian Tether (Cutweb)

-           Committee members                   Keith Noble & Dick Elder.

Club Magazines for the annual competition should be sent to Sally Moore, refer to Ann Banks National Secretary for contact details for all new appointees.

Terence Balchin has taken over the compilation of the handbook.

All updates should be forwarded to the Region Secretary. Region Secretaries are to be more involved in the facilitating of information for the coming years’ updates. A clearer method of information exchange and notification of annual fees to clubs will be made.

Affiliations

We reported at the March meeting about the AWCC discussions re Affiliated Waterways based Associations. This was mentioned briefly at the National AGM, but without mention to any detail. Following a brief summary of the information from our previous meeting, we held a discussion on the voting rights, fees structure and impact of clubs joining as associations rather than individually. Graham made notes on the meetings comments and will take them to the next Affiliations Sub Committee meeting next week.

Save Our Waterways Organisation - The AWCC position on the formation of this organisation is that of offering moral support only. Save Our Waterways Organisation is to launch itself at the Crick Boat Show in May with a £5 membership fee. The Organisation is not looking to poach members of existing organisations. At present it appears to be basing itself on working with local communities on localised issues.

9. Club dissolutions, resignations and refunds.

The resignation letter from Sawley Cruising Club asked if the club was entitled to a refund of the membership fee. As a refund has not been requested before the meeting was asked for its guidance. The meeting agreed that the regional subs for the year were not refunded and that membership cards that have been issued for this year be honoured. Proposed Margaret Darmody Seconded Alan Heeley. Unanimously carried.

The meeting have asked that the National Exec follow suit when they discuss the national subs refund at their next meeting.

10. Nominations for Treasurer? Any Offers?

Graham Myatt is unhappy about being Chairman and Treasurer. He stated that if this situation continues up to the next AGM he will consider whether he stands for re election for either post.

We need a new Treasurer.

The Treasurers post can be filled by a person who is not the representatives of a club, but would like to assist the AWCC Midland Region. The majority of the work happens between November and March when invoices are sent to clubs, fees collected and banked. The year end for accounts is 31^st December, so a year end return has to be prepared and audited in time for the March Region AGM. Please consider whether you can spare us an hour or so a month. Practical support from other officers is available.

11.  Reports from Representatives

Wales & Border Counties User Forum Report                             

Normal local items mostly with regard to lack of maintenance.

Repeat items from previous meetings some dealt with, some not.

BW had done excellent work to reinstate surroundings of Uttoxeter Basin at Froghall. They have also cleared it out after the flood damage in the winter.

Moorings.-25% of moorings in the area are owned by BW. The tender situation has shown that the waiting list for this area was not accurate. Three sites have been leased, four have not. Tender update to start May, close 8^th Aug. with report published 6^th October. Auction not successful

In 2007/08 £1m was spent on the Mon. & Brec. In 2008/9. £7.5m to be spent, 2009/10 £3m & 2010/11 £3m. Total £14.5m.

2008/9 BW total budget for major works is £19m. W & BC budget for major   works is £10m. Therefore, 75% of W & BC budget and 40% of the total budget for major works is being spent on the Mon. & Brec. Mon & Brec. is not connected to the rest of the system, is 35 miles long and has 450 boats.  So, 40% of this budget is being spent on 1.5% of the system which 98.5% of boats cannot use.               Alternative – shut it.

East Midland North and East Midland South, User Group meeting

East Midland North covers

• River Trent from Newark to Gainsborough
• Chesterfield Canal
• Fossdyke and Witham Navigation

East Midland South Covers

• River Trent from Newark to Shardlow
• Erewash Canal
• Grantham Canal
• Cromford Canal
• River Soar from Redhill to Kings Lock Leicester

Agenda Items were

• Notes from previous meetings
• Mooring tender trial Consultation, some moorings had no bids but one Lincoln residential mooring went for £4000
• Consultation in general
• Consultation document about consultation on how to consult
• Volunteer engagement, Ed Moss has been appointed as National Coordinator, based at Hatton, under the supervision of Caroline Killeavey East Midland Manger
• Late payment surcharge of licence fee and evasion (£185) 28 boats currently on Section 8 in process, for licence evasion
• IWA National Festival at Redhill 2009, BW will play no part in the organization but will assist where possible.
• BW Customer service standards 2008-9, Lock landing area, bollards, ladders etc.
• Deer Ramps on the Fossdyke Navigation, there was no consultation
• Paddle baffles, what type and should they be there
• Tail Lock dredging at Hazelford, Cromwell and Holme on the Trent
• Major loads coming up the Trent to Cottam, five or six in total in August dates to be fixed.
• Floating Pennywort and Giant Watercress
• Paddle Locks on the Erewash
• Current cost estimate for Long Horse Bridge (Derwent Mouth) £1.2M may need to go back to consultation if more time is needed which would suite the objectors, not in this years plan or future for BW. Still has planning issues for new site.
• Water Skiing on the River Trent, TPSC relaxation of time from 3pm back to 12 noon.

Next User Group Meeting North; Coddington 15^th. October 2008

Next User Group Meeting South; Soar Boating Club 21^st. October 2008

Clubs can be represented at these meetings, contact BW for further details.

12. Any Other Business

Notification of a 500 peg angling match – 16^th August in theStafford area.

Stafford Boat Club asked that we remind members that they will be asked to produce a valid membership card when asking to moor under the AWCC reciprocal mooring scheme.

IWA Nation Festival 2009 Redhill area. Any information received re volunteering etc will be forwarded as it arrives.

Howard Smith expressed his thanks again to the members of the Midland Region for their generous gift when he stood down as Chairman in March. Howard received a further cheque for the balance of funds received.

Alan Heeley proposed a vote of thanks to Swarkestone Boat Club for their hospitality.

13. Forthcoming events.

ECP & DA Rally 23rd – 26th May 2008

Stafford Boat Club Rally 13th – 15th June 2008

Tamworth Cruising Club Boaters Weekend 1^st – 3^rd August 2008

14. Next Meeting.

Saturday 11th October 2008 at Coventry Canal Society

Dates and Venues for 2008 /09 meetings.

17^th January 2009 Tamworth Cruising Club

7^th March 2009 Soar Boating Club

National Boat Fire Safety Week

26^th – 31^st May 2008

Please engage with your local Fire and Rescue Service to ask for a Boat

Fire Safety check or Home Safety Check.

To find your local contact go to your nearest Fire Station or www.fire.gov.uk

Please ensure you have fitted new batteries to your smoke and CO detectors.

Do no leave exits locked without quick access to keys once you are on board.

Keep the Boat Fire Safety initiative alive.

 

 

Minutes of Meeting held at
Soar Boating Club on Saturday 8^th March 2008

Attending.

Howard Smith Chairman Margaret Smith Secretary Terence Balchin QM & Derby MBC Alan & Pat Heeley Ash Tree BC Jean Devey Stafford BC    Stella Machin Stafford BC            Sheila Smith Trevor Orton Swarkestone BC       Alan Griffiths Fradley Junction CC      John Wilkinson Soar BC

Randal & Janine Heard Norbury CC Roger & Pam McLellan Lichfield CC & BCF Tony Collins Coventry CS Tom & Mick Griffin Hinckley BC Lynne Cater WRGBC Derek Beardsmore Longwood BC Graham & Val Myatt Stoke-on-Trent BC Keith Broughton Soar BC John Reeve Goldsborough BOC Nigel Grant – Guest

Appendix A

Frequently Asked Questions on Electric Fridges

 

• Some boaters say that electric Fridges drain your battery. Is this really true?

The gas, caravan type fridge (or 3-Way fridge) works by heating a mixture of gases sealed within a system. This heat source is a gas flame, a 240v AC mains heater element, or a 12 volt DC heater element. The fridge temperature is controlled by the size of the gas flame: High/Medium/Low: on 240v AC mains it is controlled by a thermostat switching on/off the heater element: on the 12 volt option there is NO control, so the DC heater element is drawing approx 8A continuously (the 12 volt DC side was only really designed to keep the fridge running in the caravan whilst the vehicle’s alternator was running). ‘Cool boxes’ (or thermoelectric / Peltier units) are just as wasteful with your battery.

However, the latest electric motor compressor fridges draw around 2 to 3A when running and are all fitted with a thermostat so the motor compressor will cycle on/off to maintain correct fridge temperature. Average draw is approx 1 to 1.5A each hour over a 24 hour period. So in comparison battery drain is much lower.

• I’m thinking of changing my gas fridge to an electric compressor one. What do I need to consider?

Cable size – The original 12v DC cable fitted to supply the gas fridge may be too small (see what size cable).

Size – Unless you are re-fitting your galley, you’ll probably be limited to what size electric fridge by the space left by your old gas fridge. Remember to measure the aperture left by the fridge – not the fridge itself. Watch out for tapers, particularly when hard against the hull. Position – there is no need to vent outside of the boat, so your options are limitless.

 

• What size cable do I need?

Due to voltage drop, particularly with longer cable runs, the correct size of cable is particularly important. Although compressor fridges have a low running current there is a momentary start current of approx. 12A for a fraction of a second. You will require 1mm² size cable for every 1 metre distance between the battery & the back of the fridge. E.g. if the fridge is 4 metres from the battery you will need 4mm² cable: if it is 10 metres away you will need 10mm² (halve this cable size for 24 volt systems).

• What size battery do I need?

It depends on how frequently you want to charge your battery. If an ‘average’ electric compressor fridge is using 1.3A every hour, then your will be consuming approx 31Ah per day (1.3 x 24). In general terms a battery cannot be discharged by more than 50% so 1 x 110 Ah battery will give you 110 / 2 = 55 Ah of usable power, therefore 55 / 31 = 1.8 days (excluding lights, pumps, TV). Probably a good staring point would be 2 x 110 Ah batteries.

• What else will I need?

The feed from the battery to the fridge will need an isolation switch (ideally rated at 20A) to allow you to switch the fridge off when not in use. This could be a battery isolation switch or a dedicated switch on your distribution panel. You will also need to fit a 15A fuse in the Positive line to the fridge (7.5A for 24 volt systems)

• Should I turn my fridge off at night?

No – Correct food storage temperatures are just as important on your boat as they are at home. Provided you have enough battery capacity your fridge should be left to operate all day & night.

 

• Why can’t I buy a domestic mains fridge from the High Street and run it off a DC to AC power inverter?

You can – but bear in mind that you will use more battery power! This is because inverters are not 100% efficient in converting DC to AC power, therefore losses do occur. In addition, a mains fridge would be the only appliance that will require the inverter switched on 24/7 - unlike your washing machine, vacuum cleaner, or microwave oven where you can switch the inverter on or off as you need it.

Even though the fridge may have cut off by the thermostat, the inverter is still in stand-by mode waiting for the fridge to switch on again. It’s these stand-by modes that are continually drawing power from the battery. In some cases this difference can be twice as much battery power to run a mains fridge compared to a dedicated 12 volt fridge.

• Can I use a Solar Panel and what size would I need?

Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels will take ‘daylight’ and convert it into DC battery power. An 85 Watt panel would be suitable to keep an under worktop fridge going during the summer months (April to September) producing approx. 25 to 35 Ah per day. For live ‘aboards’ you will need to double the size of panel to cope with only half the daylight hours in winter.

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Minutes of Meeting held at
Stafford Boat Club on Saturday 12^th  January 2008

Howard Smith Chairman

Graham Myatt Treasurer & Stoke-on-Trent BC

Margaret Smith Secretary

Terence Balchin QM & Derby MBC

Alan Heeley AshTree BC

Doug & Edna LeightonCoventry CC

Jean Devey Stafford BC               

Sheila Smith

Trevor & Marian Orton Swarkestone BC

Alan Griffiths Fradley Junction CC

Val Myatt Stoke-on-Trent BC

John Wilkinson Soar BC

Ann Banks Black Buoy CC

Randal Heard Norbury CC

Roni andNorman Solomons Sea Otter

Roger & Pam McLellan Lichfield CC & BCF

Tony CollinsCoventry CS

Paul Bryan Wolverhampton BC

Ken TurnerHinckley BC

Alan Woodhouse ECP&DA

Lynne Cater WRGBC

Derek Beardsmore Longwood BC

Stewart Priddy Weighbridge CC

Tom & Mick Griffin Hinckley BC

George & Margaret Darmody Mid Warks YC

Pat Heeley Ash Tree BC

Meeting Commenced 10.30 am

The Chairman extended a welcome back to Roni and Norman Solomons

2. Minutes of Meeting held on 20th October 2007 at Tamworth Cruising Club.

Proposed – Tony Collins, Seconded – Alan Heeley

3. Matters Arising

None

4. Chairman’s Report.

These past few months have probably been the most challenging in the recent history of canal boating. We seem to have lurched from one crisis to another, the derogation of red diesel, to the mooring fiasco and to the latest, licensing.

One after another, appeals have proved fruitless. You do not need me to tell you that the Government through DEFRA have cut the budget to BW and have said they will continue to do this over the next few years. I think that we have all seen in print the amount of work which BW will not be doing this winter. Where will it end? How many canals will be shut down because of lack of maintenance in future years?

We do not know for certain at what level tax will be levied on diesel.

The moorings saga seems only to apply to those under direct BW control. I warned you all who had leases with BW to be very careful when renegotiating them, as this could be an area where there could be a big increase and so of course the moorings would go up.

We were asked to phone, write, email, and if all these failed virtually get our hands round the throat of our local MP telling them we were not happy with the DEFRA cuts. Having done all this BW now stabs us in the back telling us they are putting up license fees. Not only putting them up but also wanting to cut the prompt payment offers in half. One of the reasons given for the rise is that there will be less new boats coming onto the system than in previous years. If they know so much why are they letting those huge marinas be built? Are they wishing to get boats off the track and into marinas where they can get the maximum money out of them? It just does not add up.

I went to a license consultation meeting at Hatton a few weeks ago, which I thought was one of the worst I have ever attended. I took along with me the thoughts that we had discussed at our last Midlands meeting. We were supposed to be giving our own views, not the views of our organisation. Needless to say I slightly altered what we said, but as an individual I pushed up the anti. All submissions were supposed to be in by last Monday, but the North West was not due to have a meeting until Thursday it seemed a bit of a fruitless exercise. BW says it is not a fait accompli but we will see.

It is surprising who reads the notes when they come out in Alert. I feel things need saying and we are not here just to roll over. Ruffle a few feathers, they may not like it but at least it shows they have to read what has been said.

Graham Myatt mentioned that the NW Consultation Meetings views were to be taken into account although it was held after the closing date for consultation.

5. Secretary’s Report.

Firstly I would like to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 2008.

All has been very quiet over the last few months on regional news.

The Midland Region Meeting Dates below are provisional, these dates need the new Chair person and Vice Chair to check their diaries. I hope to confirm the venues by the AGM.

10^th May  2008          Swarkestone Boat Club

11^th October 2008    Venue to be arranged

10^th January 2009     Tamworth Cruising Club

7^th March 2009         Soar Boating Club

Ann Banks the National Secretary has released dates for the National EXEC Meetings 2008 - 2009. The first two are

2^nd February 2008 -   Wolverhampton Boat Club

29^th March 2008–    Stafford Boat Club, National AGM

Followed by: 19th April Coventry Canal Society, 14th June TBA, 27th September TBA, 15th November Black Buoy Cruising Club.

6. Treasurer’s Report.

Balances @11/01/08                    

Bank                            £1769.47

                        Cash                            £    28.40

                        Sec.’s float                  £    50.00

           

£ 1847.87

                        Building Society.                                              £ 1174.47

                        Total                                                                £ 3022.34

Subs owed to National £945

Net amount in bank £2077.34 plus BS interest for 2007

8 subscriptions are unpaid at present.

 

7. Quartermaster Report.

Slow sales this year, not much at all after the new Handbook was issued in March 2007

I have been looking at an alternative and less expensive supplier for club size flags, a sample is here for you to look at today.

The 2008 Handbook is now being prepared, any updates you may have should be passed on to both myself and Malcolm Wood. The current update material for the Midland Region section is here today for your perusal.

Meeting asked that clubs issue AWCC membership cards for the current year, and every year as this aids smooth arrangements of reciprocal moorings.

Window stickers in vehicles also aid in identification of unknown vehicles left on boat club premises.

The meeting commented about the changing nature of boating where fewer people go out for extended periods. This has impacted on the sales of handbooks which clubs have noticed in the last few years.

8. National Executive Report.

Peterborough Cruising Club is to be a new member club joining the South East Region.

The AWCC has booked its stand space at the Crick Boat Show.

The Secretary read an email from David Pearce outlining a meeting he had with the new Waterways Minister, EA, DEFRA John Fletcher IWA Chairman and others before Christmas. David reports that the Minister is now convinced that a new Waterways Bill is required to sweep away much of the out of date legislation. The Minister understands for the first time how the organisation of navigation within EA is hampering their progress.

David was pleased with the outcome of the meeting because the Minister presented himself with the DEFRA staff as a team and is quite determined to make progress. The Minister wants to make the meetings with him a regular event. David says “He is so different from the previous guy”.

Howard reported that external funding of BW would not happen for two or three years according to a conversation he had with Robin Evans. (BW)

Graham Myatt said he hoped that the Interdepartmental Committee will put all navigation under one authority not leaving it split into EA and BW as it is at present. BW are interested in navigation, this is not however a priority for EA.

9. BW Funding

Howard gave examples of local funding that has been announced recently. Graham Myatt expressed the view that BW should ask that third party funding should come with maintenance money sufficient for ten years, to keep these projects usable longer term.

Currently projects can be funded for maintenance for three years and this could be detrimental in the current financial climate.

Both Howard and Graham quoted figures for anglers’ contributions to the EA and BW finances. Rod license money goes to EA. A disproportionate amount is returned to BW for rod licenses used on waterways under their control. If an Angling Club leases a stretch of BW water the money goes to BW.

Randall Heard asked whether any of the Sustrans Cycle Route money recently allocated from the National Lottery Fund, might find its way into towpath improvements where cycle route and towpaths were one entity. Many local Councils are currently funding towpath improvements.

10. License Increases.

Howard Smith gave an outline of his personal response sent to Simon Salem (BW) re the license consultation proposals.

David Pearce AWCC Chairman has prepared a ten page response on behalf of the AWCC. This should be available via the AWCC website or email from the Region Secretary.

Printed copies will be charged at cost for those without email.

11. Midland Region Officers Nominations.

The Secretary and Quartermaster are prepared to stand for re election.

Graham Myatt has offered to stand for Chairman.

Situations Vacant:  Vice Chairperson and Treasurer.

The Treasurers post can be filled by a person who is not the representatives of a club, but would like to assist the AWCC Midland Region. The majority of the work happens between November and March when invoices are sent to clubs, fees collected and banked. The year end for accounts is 31^st December, so a year end return has to be prepared and audited in time for the March Region AGM.

Howard Smith and Alan Heeley have offered to act as Chairperson for meetings should the need arise until the post of Vice Chair is filled.

For a Vice Chairperson, we are looking for minimal time commitment, although a willingness to attend some National EXEC meetings would be appreciated to keep abreast of the “bigger picture”.

Please think long and hard about whether you can help or suggest someone who is willing to commit an hour a month (average for either post) to the AWCC.

12. Reports from Representatives.

George Darmody reported the following via his apologies email, for not attending. “People who use the Grand Union around our patch will be pleased to hear of improvements to the towpath in Rowington Cutting following recent works”

13. Any Other Business

Further to the last meeting views were again expressed about non display of licenses, boat names and numbers.

There is still a feeling amongst reps that the license classification system needs to be altered in line with current boat usage.

A question came from the floor about the Dept of Work and Pensions paying license fees. Do they also cover the cost of BSS Certificates and insurance?

John Wilkinson said that during a visit to Douglas Valley Boat club he found a form the club provided very helpful. The form was split into two portions. One portion gave the clubs contact details and local information. The other section you filled in your details and boat details for the clubs records, in case of emergency. John will hopefully bring a copy of the form for reps to see next time.

Nigel Grant, Ex Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has asked whether the AWCC Midlands Region would support his effort to raise funds for the families of four Warwickshire firemen who tragically died last year.

The meeting agreed to have a raffle at the AGM, the funds raised will be donated to the appeal.

Proposed Graham Myatt. Seconded Alan Griffiths.

John Wilkinson asked whether any clubs have been approached by their local Council to pay “extra rates which could be reclaimed”

Graham Myatt said he had previous experience of these “Discretionary Rate Relief and Statutory Relief Payments” and would make his notes and knowledge available to any interested parties.

Alan Woodhouse (ECP & DA), has two rolls of new, unused black chain link fencing that need a new home, free to any interested party. Collect only. 1 roll approx 8ft high. 1 roll approx 6ft high.

14. Forthcoming events.

ECP & DA Rally 23rd – 26th May 2008

Stafford Boat Club Rally 13th – 15th June 2008

Soar Boating Club Music Festival – August Bank Holiday

15. Next Meeting.

Saturday 8th March 2008 at Soar Boating Club Meeting followed by AGM.

Dates and Venues for 2008 meetings.

To be confirmed.

Thank you to Stafford Boat Club for hosting this January meeting and the excellent meal.

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Minutes of Meeting held at

Tamworth Cruising Club on Saturday 20^th October 2007