NOTES KENNET & AVON

PARTNERSHIP MEETING

Date 25 February 2015 10:00hrs – 13:00hrs

Venue Devizes Meeting Room, CRT Offices, Devizes

Attendees WP Members Tamsin Phipps – Chair (TP), Emma Fearnley (EF), Ken Oliver (KO), Richard Watson (RW), John Inman (JI), Alistair Millington (AM), Nick Worthington – Acting Waterway Manager (NW) CRT Staff Alison Jordan (AJ), Matthew Symonds (MS), Elaine Stanley (ES), Steve Manzi (SM), Dale Marshall (DM), Maeve Thompson (MT) Richard Rutter (RR) via video conference

Apologies WP Members Terry Fell (TF), Rob Dean (RD)

Action

1. Welcome TP – Chair welcomed the Partnership Members to the meeting. RW and JI were introduced to the partnership. 2. Declarations of Interest TP declared a personal interest with regards to housing estates being built along the Eastern end of the canal and the impact this would have on the towpath (which is already in a poor condition)

3. Notes of previous meeting (Friday 19th December 2014, CRT Office, Devizes) Minutes of the previous meeting were discussed and the following points were raised:

TP reported to members that Canal & River Trust are evaluating how User Group Meetings are managed and establishing how they can reach a wider audience. Agenda and keynotes to be improved. AJ is arranging a date and venue for the Spring User Group Meeting which will be held in Newbury area.

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With regards to destination areas – it was noted that partnership members should focus on 6 key sites. JI offered to look at Bridgwater & Taunton for destination areas. JI JI

NW reported to members that there is no provision for towpath improvements and is conscious that significant third party funding and investment is required. RR suggested establishing stronger links with local landfill operators with regards to access for funding.

4. Partnership Update TP TP reviewed members written activities and gave a brief over view the group.

5. Waterway Manager update NW commented on the successful public open day that took place at Aldermaston . For further information see attached link: canalrivertrust.org.uk/winter-open-days-201415/aldermaston-open- days

Caroline Robson has been appointed as Development Engagement Manager and will start mid-April. Ian Rogers has been appointed new Head of Customer Services at the Trust.

6. Three Year Rolling Action Plan The Group agreed that the Action Plan will need to be reviewed , and proceeded to discuss and allocate spare action points to SM members present. DM DM, AM & SM to discuss ‘Share the Space’ Guidance on a local AM level. AJ to send updated plan to members. AJ

7. Operation Update DM  Fobney stoppage has restarted this week. With work to install brand new bottom gates underway. A canoe portage will also be installed by the construction team whilst on site.  Lock 29 stoppage is underway this week, with repairs to the top gates and quoins being undertaken by the Construction team..  A Lock stoppage is planned for the 2nd March at to repair the top gates, to rectify leakage

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8. Explorers and Education ES Elaine Stanley (Education Volunteer Co-ordinator) gave a talk about Canal & River Trust Explorers. In summary on the K & A. Further details of Canal and River Trust Explorers and the work they do can be found here : www.canalriverexplorers.org.uk

9. Towpath Mooring Update MS At present, there are 122 boats in the enforcement process on the Eastern end of the K&A. This is all types of enforcement and is currently broken down as follows; Since the start of the K&A plan (1/5/14), on the eastern end there have been 105 boats just in the continuous cruiser process.

9. Volunteering Update SM  To deliver 4183 Volunteer days, this equates to 29,281 hours To date 4245 Volunteer days, equating to 29,717 hours have been delivered.  10% of the total hours delivered by young volunteers Currently 20% of the total hours are being delivered by young volunteers.

8. Bridgwater & Taunton TP/ NW The Somerset Waterways Advisory Committee meetings have been re launched and the first meeting of 2015 was held on the 9th February. Partnership to have input.

9. AOB MT (National Press Officer) reported to members that January was a great month for media coverage which included Aldermaston Open Day, and the Chard Arm Project. JI enquired if the Partnership were still pursuing a change of name. TP advised it was to stay as the Kennet & Avon Waterways Partnership for now, this may be revisited at a later date.

10. Date of next meeting

Wednesday 29th April 10.00hrs – 12.30hrs – Devizes Office CRT meeting room.