MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Items in red are confidential
Minutes of a meeting of the Board of Trustees (the Trustees) of Canal & River Trust (the Trust) held at 8.30am on Thursday 22 March 2018 at The Regatta Room, Park Inn By Radisson, North Street, York, YO1 6JF. Present Allan Leighton, Chair Dame Jenny Abramsky, Trustee and Deputy Chair Frances Done CBE, Trustee Ben Gordon, Trustee Janet Hogben, Trustee Tim Reeve, Trustee Sir Chris Kelly, Trustee Sue Wilkinson, Trustee Nigel Annett CBE, Trustee Manish Chande, Trustee
In attendance Richard Parry, Chief Executive Julie Sharman, Chief Operating Officer Stuart Mills, Chief Investment Officer Sandra Kelly, Finance Director Heather Clarke, Strategy, Impact and Engagement Director Simon Bamford, Asset Improvement Director Mike Gooddie, People Director Gill Eastwood, Company Secretary (minute taker) Tom Deards, Head of Legal Catherine Kirkland, Senior HR Business Partner redacted
18/018 APOLOGIES No apologies were received.
CHAIR’S WELCOME AND REMARKS The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting. The Chair reported that notice of the meeting had been given to all trustees entitled to receive it and that a quorum was present. The Chair reflected on the success of events that had been held in the preceding days, including the Chair’s farewell dinner, and a very good trip to Naburn Locks (with boat back to York) with Council members. The Council meeting had a series of interesting presentations with a good focus on the future not the past. The Trustees thanked the team who had planned the Reception which had fulfilled its proper purpose: The Chair noted that the outgoing Partnership Chairs were keen to do a proper RP handover and asked management to put in place a template for doing this, including the opportunity for outgoing chairs to meet their successors.
18/019 REGISTER OF INTERESTS AND DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN ANY MATTER ON THE AGENDA The attendees declared interests and set out in Information Report Trust332. Trustees asked for the following changes to be made: • Allan Leighton, is no longer the Chair but is a non-Executive Director at Matalan Retail Ltd • Allan Leighton is the Chair of Element Materials Technology • Ben Gordon is no longer a Non-Executive Director of Britvic Plc • Ben Gordon is no longer a Non-Executive Director of St Ives Plc • Ben Gordon is Chair of Heal & Son Ltd • Ben Gordon is a Trustee of United Learning
18/020 MINUTES AND SCHEDULE OF ACTIONS The minutes of the Board of Trustees meetings held on 25 January and 1 March 2018 re written resolution were approved.
Confidential Summary of actions arising from Board Meetings All matters arising were in hand or on the agenda.
18/023 Safeguarding Update [Trust334] RP presented the report which updated the Board on how the Trust implemented Safeguarding. RP personally leads the Safeguarding steering group. Trustees have been invited to complete the e-learning training on Safeguarding. The Audit & Risk Committee (ARC) has reviewed how the Trust managed risks around Safeguarding in depth The Trustees approved the “Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk Position Statement”.
18/024 Governance Report [Trust335] GE presented the Decision Report Trust335 and drew the Trustees’ attention to various matters affecting the governance of the Trust.
The Board • Appointed Tom Deards as the Trust’s Company Secretary with effect from 1 April 2018 • Noted that the Trust has an agreed mandatory standard for reporting Serious Incidents to the Charity Commission which is currently under review to ensure it remains fit for purpose. • Approved the winding up of Blackwall Estates Limited. • Noted the Charity Commission Regulatory Alert on Safeguarding and some Governance requirements provided for background information only • Ratified the Partnership member appointments set out as follows: ➢ John McNicholas, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term, 3 years to 1 March 2021 ➢ Imran Mirza, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term, 3 years to 1 March 2021 ➢ Laura Shoaf, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term extension of 12 months to end of February 2019 ➢ Philip Bateman, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term extension of 12 months to end of February 2019
18/027 Chief Executive’s Report [Trust337] The Board noted the Chief Executive’s Information Report Trust330 and the appendices which had been prepared by the Executive Directors.
In relation to Appendix 4: Operations Report JS highlighted various items in her report and also updated on the recent breach at Middlewich which had occurred at the end of the previous week. The Asset Improvement teams have started work already with good progress. The Board confirmed that it was happy for the Trust to conduct an appeal for donations to assist with the cost and promote engagement (e.g erecting a viewing platform so that local people can view safely). JS also drew Trustees’ attention to the risks and opportunities around the current use of Sharpness Pilots. The Trustees noted Appendix 5: Asset Report. 18/028 Finance Director’s Report [Trust338] SK presented her confidential Information Report Trust338 which was noted.
18/030 AOB This was Gill Eastwood’s last meeting, due to her retirement. The Board thanked Gill for her support.
18/031 Close Date of the next meeting – • Thursday 24 May 2018 (Wales – Cardiff) (including joint event with the Welsh Bwrdd). There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 1230.
------Chair
Board Meeting 22 March 2018 Information Report Trust334 Items in red confidential SAFEGUARDING UPDATE Richard Parry, Chief Executive
1. PURPOSE 1.1 The purpose of this paper is to update the Board on the implementation of improvements to Safeguarding governance redacted. Specifically, the Board is also asked to sign-off the Safeguarding statement attached for wide distribution across the Trust. 2. CURRENT STATUS 2.1 The Trust is committed to creating and supporting an organisational wide culture that promotes safeguarding for all staff, volunteers and members of the public. The Trust has a Designated Safeguarding Officer (and Deputy), an agreed Safeguarding policy, and all staff and volunteers receive mandatory e-learning training to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities in this area. Any posts which work directly with children and vulnerable adults are identified, and staff filling these posts are subject to DBS checks. In addition, all volunteers and new staff joining the Trust are asked to disclose whether they have any unspent criminal convictions, and a positive disclosure is scrutinised by the Designated Safeguarding Officer to ensure we are happy to have these individuals working or volunteering (in their appointed role) at the Trust. 2.2 Whilst Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, there are two key groups that have recently been established: • the Safeguarding Steering Group is chaired by the Chief Executive and leads on all strategic aspects of Safeguarding: • the Safeguarding Action Group is chaired by the DSO and addresses all and operational matters, actioning the decisions taken at the Steering Group.
The terms of reference of these two groups is attached at Appendix 1.
2.3 The Audit & Risk Committee devoted a considerable portion of its recent meeting to this subject and has reviewed current activities in detail. The action points (short and long term) recorded at the ARC included: • Create a culture of Safeguarding redacted • Report to the Board annually on Safeguarding (in May each year) • We should adopt a “zero tolerance” for safeguarding redacted • Report on Safeguarding in the Annual Report • Create a Safeguarding positioning statement and seek Board approval • redacted • Review resources for Safeguarding to ensure sufficient • Ensure training reaches all staff and lead volunteers redacted and ensure all bank staff have face to face training given their role.
• Trustees invited to complete Safeguarding e-learning course. • Vulnerable Customer training to be made available redacted • Develop the ‘credit card’ style prompt card and poster campaign • Review our operations to ensure young people and young/at risk volunteers are not on their own with anyone under any circumstances. • Safeguarding at Induction for volunteers and employees • Ringfence a dedicated safeguarding budget • Task and Finish group to risk assess events • Create minimum standards for partner groups re safeguarding and roll out • Conduct a Safeguarding Stakeholder Analysis
2.4 To address the action above, the Board is asked to consider and approve the Safeguarding Position Statement at Appendix 2 for publication across the Trust.
APPENDIX 1
SAFEGUARDING STEERING GROUP - KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To communicate a clear steer from the Trustees and the Executive Team regarding the strategic direction of safeguarding and communicate this to the Action Group 2. Establish and maintain clear communication across the Trust to ensure safeguarding strategy is consistently understood and applied. 3. To establish an appropriate Trust position to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk taking part in Trust activities 4. To ensure there are adequate resources available across the organisation to enable colleagues to effectively embed safeguarding systems and follow policy and procedures. 5. To approve changes to policy or standards. 6. To ensure the full Executive Team is regularly updated and briefed on actions and risk 7. To review and recommend investment or expenditure associated with safeguarding. 8. To ensure the Board is appropriately informed of significant and emerging risks and the plans in place to manage these. 9. To appoint the DSO and Deputy DSO and ensure their suitability for the roles 10. To champion a safeguarding culture across the organisation and ensure the status and credibility of safeguarding is suitably recognised throughout the Trust.
SAFEGUARDING ACTION GROUP – KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. To advise on the legal context of safeguarding and Trust’s role and responsibilities in relation to this 2. To make recommendations for actions to be taken in relation to safeguarding and push these upwards via the Safeguarding Steering Group 3. To develop shared policies and procedures for preventing, reporting and responding to allegations of harm to children, young people and adults at risk taking part in Trust activities for approval by the Steering group 4. To provide quality assurance measures to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk, monitor early warning signs for gaps in provision and take appropriate action to mitigate any risks identified. 5. To communicate the importance of safeguarding and ensure it is embedded. 6. To recognise all relevant local and national safeguarding guidance, promoting and sharing best practice on safeguarding across the Trust. 7. To ensure robust and well managed risk assessment procedures are adopted and reviewed. 8. To inform recommendations on plans to train the Trust’s staff and volunteers in recognising and reporting safeguarding issues, and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to manage the Trust’s engagement programmes. 9. To report progress, ongoing risks and make recommendations on policy and process change to the Executive and Trustee teams via the Safeguarding Steering Group. 10. To establish and oversee task and finish groups to lead on particular safeguarding related issues and opportunities as and when appropriate
APPENDIX 2
Safeguarding Children Young People and Adults at Risk Position Statement
The Canal & River Trust believes that no child, young person or adult at risk should ever experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote their welfare and to keep them safe. We are committed to providing safe environments and working practises that promote and protect the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk at all times.
We recognise that: • The welfare of the child is paramount • All children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse • Some children, young people and adults at risk are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues • Working in partnership with parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
We will seek to keep children, young people and adults at risk safe by: • Valuing them, listening to them and respecting them • Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and Deputy DSO and establishing a Safeguarding Steering Group headed by the Chief Executive • Adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers • Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures • Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made • Recording and storing information professionally and securely and sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers • Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know and involving children, young people, parents, carers and families appropriately • Using our procedures to manage any allegations about staff and volunteers appropriately • Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring we have a policy and procedures to deal effectively with any bullying that does arise • Ensuring we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place • Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, adults at risk, staff and volunteers by applying health & safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
The Canal & River Trust operates a zero tolerance policy towards abuse and other harmful behaviour in all our activities. From this statement a full safeguarding policy is in place and will be reviewed annually. The policy applies to everyone who receives a service from the Canal & River Trust, forms part of our governance, is employed by us or volunteers their services. We will also encourage those who work on our behalf to demonstrate commitment to Safeguarding.
Safeguarding: We all play a part.
Contact Details: Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Catherine Kirkland [email protected] 07500 952452 Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer Lucie Unsworth [email protected] 07825 843 362
Board Meeting 22 March 2018 Decision Report Trust335 Items in red confidential GOVERNANCE REPORT Gill Eastwood, Head of Governance, Audit & Risk
1 PURPOSE
1.1 The purpose of this report is to draw the Trustees’ attention to various matters affecting the governance of the Trust.
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 Trustees are invited to:
2.1.1 Appoint Tom Deards as the Trust’s Company Secretary with effect from 1 April 2018 (Section 3).
2.1.2 Redacted
2.1.3 Redacted
2.1.4 Note that the Trust has an agreed mandatory standard for reporting Serious Incidents to the Charity Commission. This mandatory standard has recently been updated to ensure that it remains fit for purpose (Section 5).
2.1.5 Approve the winding up of Blackwall Estates Limited (Section 6).
2.1.6 Redacted
2.1.7 Redacted
2.1.8 Note the Charity Commission Regulatory Alert on Safeguarding and some Governance requirements provided for background information only (Section 9).
2.1.9 To ratify those Partnership member appointments set out in Section 10.
3 COMPANY SECRETARY
3.1 The Chief Executive has appointed Tom Deards as the Head of Legal and Governance, a new post in the restructured senior management team. Trustees are requested to appoint Tom as the Trust’s Company Secretary with effect from 1 April 2018.
4 REDACTED
5 SERIOUS INCIDENTS
5.1 In the light of recent events at Oxfam, we considered it might be helpful to remind Trustees that we have an agreed “mandatory standard” in the Trust for reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission (CC).
5.2 The CC requires Trustees to report serious incidents which it defines as an adverse event, whether actual or alleged, which results in or risks significant:
5.2.1 loss of the charity’s money or assets
5.2.2 damage to the charity’s property
5.2.3 harm to the charity’s work, beneficiaries or reputation.
5.3 The CC reports that the most common type of incidents are frauds, thefts, significant financial losses, criminal breaches, terrorism or extremism allegations, and safeguarding issues.
5.4 The Trust’s approach is to adhere to the guidance on serious incident reporting issued by the CC and available on its website. The CC guidance takes precedence over the Trust’s internal mandatory standard. The CC guidance was updated in September 2017.
5.5 The responsibility for reporting serious incidents rests with the Trustees. The Trustees have formally delegated responsibility for reporting to the Head of Governance, Audit & Risk who acts as the Trust’s Company Secretary. The Company Secretary is not allowed to delegate reporting Serious Incidents to anyone else.
5.6 The Company Secretary will decide whether to report an incident or not. In deciding whether to report a Serious Incident, the Company Secretary must consult with an appropriately qualified senior manager, including the Chief Executive, the responsible Director, the Safeguarding Officer and/or the Head of Legal as appropriate to the matter being reported.
5.7 If necessary, the Company Secretary will consult Trustees as to whether a Serious Incident report should be made.
5.8 In making a report, the Company Secretary will follow the process laid out by the CC and is responsible for updating reports to the CC as required.
5.9 We have recently updated the mandatory standard to ensure that it remains current. The changes made were:
5.9.1 Removing sections that are merely copied from the Charity Commission’s website;
5.9.2 Ensuring that agreed materiality levels are appropriate. The Charity Commission only wishes to know about “significant” incidents so this is about providing guidance about what might be significant in the context of the Trust. The mandatory standard is clear, however, that each case is decided on its own merits. 5.10 Trustees may also wish to note that the Trust is also currently reviewing its mandatory safeguarding standard. One change already agreed is that the safeguarding standard will more explicitly cross-refer to the Serious Incident standard to ensure that safeguarding incidents are reported appropriately to the CC. This is not an omission in the current safeguarding standard, but it is not as clear as it might be.
6 WINDING UP OF A SUBSIDIARY
6.1 The Trust has a 100% subsidiary called Blackwall Estates Limited which we inherited from British Waterways (BW) in 2012. The company was purchased by BW from the Port of London Authority in 2003 as part of the acquisition of Wood Wharf land in London Docklands. However, subsequently all that remained within it were a small number of residential ground rents. To reduce the administrative costs to the Trust (audit, accounting, tax, etc) the company has transferred all its residual assets and liabilities including the properties (net asset value £205k) to the Trust and these have been incorporated into the Trust’s investment property portfolio. The Board of Blackwall Estates Limited have approved the winding up of the company.
6.2 In the Trust’s Scheme of Delegation, one of the matters reserved for the Trust’s Board is to “approve the formation or winding up of joint ventures and subsidiaries.” Trustees are therefore asked to approve the winding up of Blackwall Estates Limited.
7 REDACTED
8 REDACTED
9 GOVERNANCE UPDATE
9.1 This section of the report is provided for information only, to provide useful updates on governance matters.
9.2 The CC has published new regulations for filing of annual returns to the CC which took effect on 1 January 2018. There will be fewer questions but large charities like the Trust will be required to provide more information than previously. There are new questions on sources of overseas funding. In addition, the Trust will provide information on executive pay, including how many individuals receive remuneration of £60,000 or more and information about the highest paid employee. Information provided in the annual return to the CC is not made public, although of course the Trust already discloses the number of employees in various pay-bands starting at £60,000 and about the Trust’s highest paid employees in the Annual Report and Accounts.
9.3 The Trust will have to confirm whether it worked with professional fundraisers in raising funds from the public as well as confirm that a written agreement was in place and the number of contracts (other than grant agreements) with central government or local authorities for which it received income.
9.4 Charities Act 2011 Section 178 and current Charity Commission rules disqualify certain people from being a charity trustee - these reasons are mainly bankruptcy related, and include unspent convictions for crimes involving dishonesty or deception. From 1 August 2018, there will be two key changes:
• people who are disqualified from acting as a trustee will also be disqualified from holding certain senior manager positions in charities • an increase in the number of reasons that disqualify someone from acting. The new reasons include being on the sex offenders register and certain unspent convictions – such as for terrorism or money laundering
10 REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARDS/WATERWAY PARTNERSHIPS
Board/Partnership Member Appointments
10.1 Advisory Board/Partnership Member appointments are the responsibility of each Board/Partnership Chair. However, appointments are subject to ratification by Trustees. Members are usually appointed for 3 years but some shorter terms of appointment are made to enable rotation.
10.2 We are currently working with the existing Partnerships to establish those members which we to retain, and who are willing to transfer, into the new Regional Advisory Bodies. We will ask the Board to ratify these members at the May Board meeting.
10.3 Since the January meeting, there have been 2 new members appointed to the West Midlands Partnership and 2 extensions of 12 months to 1st term appointments.
10.4 John McNicholas, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term, 3 years to 1 March 2021
John has been a member of the Council for Lower Stoke since 1986, prior to which he was a shop steward at Jaguar Cars. He has held many responsible positions for the City Council including Chair of P&A, Environment and more recently Transportation. John’s appointment will fill a much-needed gap in Coventry as they run up to the City of Culture in 2021.
10.5 Imran Mirza, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term, 3 years to 1 March 2021
Inspector Mirza is leading work supporting the West Midland’s Violence Prevention Alliance which has a number of projects some of which can be linked to the world of Restorative Justice. He is also part of academic research being conducted around hate crime with Birmingham University with an emphasis on using RJ to resolve hate crime issues as this is about long-term problem solving and having positive outcomes which change a person’s perspective and behaviour to influence others. Inspector Mirza has aspirations to link RJ with all areas of business, providing real opportunity in working with hard to reach groups from different religions, faiths and nationalities. There is also great potential in using RJ in schools and empowering young people. Imran leads for the Police on the West Midlands Partnership newly formed Canal Watch and will help rolling it out across the Trust.
10.6 Laura Shoaf, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term extension of 12 months to end of February 2019
Strategic Director of Transport for the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority, Laura is responsible for the provision of transport policy and strategy advice to the ITA, the Leaders, and Chief Executives of the West Midlands. Laura works collaboratively across the Local Authorities, LEPs and other partners to ensure the best possible outcomes for the West Midlands. A chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Laura has over 20 years of international experience in delivering integrated economic and spatial regeneration.
10.7 Philip Bateman, West Midlands Partnership – 1st term extension of 12 months to end of February 2019
Currently a Labour Party Councillor for Wednesfield North in the City of Wolverhampton. A former Mayor of the City of Wolverhampton, awarded an MBE for 'Services to the regions transport' in 2004. Previously the Director of Public Affairs at Travel West Midlands, leaving the National Express Group in 2008. Now self- employed operating Phil Bateman Consultancy, working closely with public transport companies including the Confederation of Passenger Transport.
Board Meeting 22 March 2018 Information Report Trust338 Items in Red Confidential CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report covers the period to the end of January, with more recent updates where available.
2. EXTERNAL CONTEXT 2.1 Redacted
2.2 Redacted
2.3 Redacted.
3. INTERNAL CONTEXT 3.1 We have announced the end of the first phase of our organisation re-structure with many senior manager appointments announced, and confirmation that the new regional structure will come into force from 4 June. Redacted.
3.2 Redacted
4. PERFORMANCE 4.1 Appendix 1 sets out performance across the range of KPIs agreed by the Board for 2017/18. Redacted
4.2 Redacted, community adoption growth has picked up again and has defied expectations to go past the 200 mark, and our year-end target (of 220) may yet be achieved. Likewise, visitor numbers have remained strong and are now ahead of last year.
4.3 Redacted.
5. EXECUTIVE REPORTS 5.1 The Executive’s reports feature as Appendices 3 to 8. The main points to draw to the Board’s attention are: • Redacted; • Appendix 4 (Operations) describes a series of recent incidents and activities Redacted. • Appendix 5 (Asset Improvement) reports on the winter works programme, notably the major project initiated at Marple and the ‘emergency’ embankment stabilisation work at Llanfoist on the Mon & Brec Canal Redacted. • Redacted. • Redacted. • Redacted.
March 2018
Page 1
Certain Key Performance Indicators
Jan 18 Target Actual Defra Waterway Targets – improving our waterways/assets actuals 2017/18 2016/17 Towpath condition graded C or better (requirement to be above 60% threshold) not due ≥79.0% 78.5% Principal assets grade C or better (requirement to be above 77% threshold) 86.8% ≥85.0% 86.0% Condition of flood management assets graded C or better (requirement to be above 96% threshold) not due ≥98.5% 99.0%
Jan 18 Target Actual Waterway measures actuals 2017/18 2016/17 Number of individual visitors to our waterways in typical two-week period (over last 12 months) 4.4 m 4.5m 4.3m Public safety – number of reported incidents 263 350 382 Combined employee, volunteer and contractor RIDDOR accident frequency rating (accidents per 100,000 hours) 0.15 0.24 0.26 Customer satisfaction rating of visitors and towpath users 91% 86% 85% % of prompted people (living in close proximity of a waterway) that are aware of/recognise the value of their local waterway 65% TBC N/A Propensity to support the waterways 2.1 m TBC N/A Customer satisfaction rating of boaters not due 72% 76% № of days of unplanned closures to navigation within our control (individual instances over 48 hours) 458 400 441
Jan 18 Target Actual Other measures actuals 2017/18 2016/17 % of employees engaged as per employee engagement survey result not due 68% 66% Volunteer satisfaction/recommendation ratings 96.0% 90% 94% Number of volunteer hours per annum 489,794 600,000 540,700 Annual total return on our endowment portfolio 7.9% 7.5% 10.0% Annual total return from non-property investments 8.0% 7.9% 18.8% Non-investment income to grow >CPI plus 1% (on three year rolling basis) 5.4% 2.8% 3.5% £ million secured from restricted statutory and voluntary funding, philanthropic and individual giving and contributions in kind £14.4m £21.9m £25.9m Support costs share of total cost 9.5% 9.8% 9.4% People aware of the Trust 36% 40% 33% № of adoptions of our waterways (each adoption scheme roughly equates to 1 mile) 205 220 181 Diversity - % staff BAME 4.6% 5.0% 4.8% Diversity - % senior management Female 22.4% 25% 24% № of active Friends attracted and retained, regularly donating 23,514 28,500 20,600 Number of children who have participated in face to face education sessions each year 59,086 75,000 92,660
Green indicates that the KPI is ahead of target Yellow indicates that the KPI is behind target Red indicates that the KPI target cannot be achieved
Printed: 15/03/2018 08:05 KPI report - p10 January 2018 Compressed - Summary Page 1 of 1
Trustees Meeting 22 March 2018 Information Report Trust338 Red Text Confidential APPENDIX 3: HEALTH & SAFETY Author: Julie Sharman, Chief Operating Officer
1 PURPOSE 1.1. This paper provides a review of Health and Safety for the period of January and February 2018. The report covers Visitors, Employees, Volunteers and Contractors.
1.2. The report includes an update on Health and Safety KPIs for the operating year.
2 KEY POINTS 2.1 The Trust’s Riddor Accident Frequency Rate (AFR) is now down to 0.11, well below our target of 0.21 and the lowest since we have introduced this measure. The Trust continues to deliver a sustained campaign on slips, trips and low-height falls. This cause accounts for half the serious injuries and 25% of all incidents involving Trust people. The first phase of the campaign runs to end of March with a focus on stoppage type activities. In April through to June we will continue the campaign with a change of emphasis to short term and mobile working, typical of activities undertaken in that period of the year. Simultaneously we will refresh our safe behaviour and hazard reporting which will be interwoven with the campaign.
2.2 The analysis of reported incidents involving members of the public up to the end of February indicates 300 incidents were reported where loss or injury occurred, of which 29 incidents could be related to infrastructure (9.7%). The total number of incidents is within our target of 350 for the year but the rate of infrastructure related is well above the target of 7.2%. We will conduct a detailed analysis of the incidents – most of which are driven by an increase in the proportion of slip, trip and low fall incidents - and are affecting all types of visitor.
2.3 There were 3 fatalities involving visitors in January and 3 in February on our property. The year to date total is 37. None we believe are directly attributable to the Trust. There was an incident on 22nd of February where a female boater died in a boat fire in Stone on the Trent & Mersey Canal. The lady was a popular member of the boating community and was well known to a number of volunteers who support the Trust through our advisory groups. Redacted.
2.4 The recent death of Charlie Pope in Manchester has been very emotive with a change.org campaign gathering over 40k supporters, calling for barriers along all the Canals in Manchester. Redacted
2.5 Originally a campaign focussed on the lead up to Christmas The Don’t Drink & Drown Campaign in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society has continued into 2018. Campaign posters are being rolled out across the network and in more towns following other city areas from the pre-Christmas campaign, recently and notably including Manchester. As well as talking to people on towpaths, banners and information posters the campaign includes beer mats with the campaign message being placed in pubs / restaurants.
2.6 Beeston Weir, River Trent –. We are working with Kiers to develop a solution for the installation of the gate to limit access, aiming for a completion date by the end of March.
2.7 Sheffield - Victoria Quays inquest, following a rescheduling of the inquest due to the failure of a key witness to attend, the verdict was accidental death and there is no follow up with a prevention of future deaths report. Redacted.
2.8 Inquest into the death of Kristopher McDowell at Pontcysyllte 31/5/16 – Coroners expert is preparing an independent report the Trust has had no contact with him since September 2017. There is still no date set for the resumed inquest.
2.9 Reportable Injuries during the period;
2.9.1 There were no reportable visitor incidents.
2.9.2 There were no reportable employee incidents. In the previous board report we reported a Riddor injury to an M&E operative. The investigation has indicated the cause of the absence was not work related. The individual has subsequently resigned from the Trust. 2.9.3 There has been 1 reportable volunteer injury. See detailed information below. 2.9.4 There has been no reportable contractor injury.
3 DETAILED INFORMATION 3.1 Visitors 3.1.1 A trespasser fell through a fragile roof on one of the Trust buildings and suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. The teenage youth climbed a tree in an adjacent property to gain access to the roof which was marked with warning signs. Police had to break into the vacant property to recover the injured party.
3.1.2 Infrastructure related incidents the end of February 2017/18 indicates 29 incidents could be related to infrastructure (9.7%). The details are: • 14 pedestrians injured; Redacted. • 10 boaters injured; Redacted • 5 cyclists injured; Redacted.
3.1.3 In the operating year, Trust volunteers and safety advisors have completed assessments on 419 locks and 29 moveable bridges. 75 locks and 135 bridges remain with assessments over 5 years old. Resulting from the fatality at Beeston Weir in Nottingham we are reviewing the risk assessments at our larger river weirs. Of the 73 Trust owned river weirs over 20m wide, 39 now have updated assessments. Our plan is to complete the outstanding 34 risk assessment reviews by mid-2018.
3.1.4 The first chart shows the trend in Infrastructure related injuries and total incidents reported. The target is 350 total incidents. The current performance is 300 incidents which is in line with achievement of the annual target (See visitor incidents by month trend in the 2nd chart, the 3rd chart shows the trend of infrastructure related incidents). The rate of infrastructure related incident at 9.9% is above the target of 7.2%. We will conduct a detailed analysis of the incidents to see what action may be necessary. The change is driven by an increase in the proportion of slip, trip and low fall incidents and are affecting all types of visitor
Total loss & injury incidents % infrastructure 50.0 450 related 45.0 incidents/million 373 384 400 353 visits 334 40.0 320 350 35.0 287 300 283 300 30.0 244 250 25.0 200
20.0 Incident 150 15.0 11.9 10.2 9.4 9.4 10.2 8.5 7.8 10.0 7.0 100 9.7 incidents/million visits incidents/million 50 % Infrastructure relatedInfrastructure % 5.0 0.91 0.88 0.95 1.12 1.01 0.98 0.74 0.99 0.0 0
Total Visitor Incidents by Month 80 60 40 20 0 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 Average incidents per month 12-17
Infrastructure Related Visitor Incidents by Month 10 8 6 4 2 0 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 Average infrastructure related per month 12-17
3.2 Employees There have been no reportable accidents since the last report
Riddor Injuries (Emp, Vol, Con) Contractor RIDDOR Monthly Occurences 6 Volunteer RIDDOR Emp RIDDOR
5 Ave Riddors/month
4
3
2
1
0
The chart below shows the trend for all recorded injuries
Employee Recorded Injuries & Injury - no treatment Monthly Trend First aid cases 20 LTI 18 Emp Reportable injuries 16 Ave total injuries/month 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0
3.3 Volunteers 3.3.1 In the period, there has been 1 reportable volunteer injury. A volunteer working for WRG at Berwick Tunnel on the Shrewsbury and Newport Canal restoration was struck on the head by a tree he was felling and taken to hospital. Initial investigation suggest that this activity was not part of the planned work. WRG reported the accident to HSE and continue to investigate the circumstances.
3.4 Contractors 3.4.1 In the period, there has been no reportable contractor injury. Our contract partners are 17 months Riddor reportable injury free
4 HEALTH 4.1 Occupational health screening is underway for the 760 employees exposed to the health risks from vibrating tools – Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). This is an annual health check. 3 new cases of early stage HAVS had been identified. The individuals are not subjected to any work restrictions but are under increased surveillance going forward.
4.2 Health and wellbeing – Health and wellbeing appointments have been offered over past 2 months to employees not subjected to health surveillance. The Trust continues to target mental wellbeing through a range of interventions supported by Leeds MIND
5 OVERALL HEALTH and SAFETY PERFORMANCE 5.1 The Accident Frequency Rate per 100,000 hours worked (AFR) is our main safety performance indicator and the table below shows AFR rolling over the past 12 months for each component of the Trust’s workforce - employees, contractors, and volunteers.
Injuries in past Injuries this Target TRUST People AFR 12 months operating year Employees [1780 FTE] 0.14 6 3 Volunteers [300 FTE] 0.18 0 0 Contractors [630 FTE] 0.0 0 0 0.11 6 3 0.21
Julie Sharman Chief Operating Officer
Trustees Meeting 22 March 2018 Information Report Trust338 Items in Red Confidential
APPENDIX 4: OPERATIONS REPORT Author: Julie Sharman Chief Operating Officer
1 PURPOSE 1.1 This paper provides an update on waterway operations and customer service team activities.
2 WATER RESOURCES 2.1 Prolonged dry weather/drought issues – Water resources issues from late 2017 have largely eased, following continued wet weather through early weeks of 2018. Still some modest concerns with lagging groundwater response, so the GU Tring reservoirs and Kennet & Avon Canal remain under close review – but their overall water resources status is considered within the normal range. West Midlands water resources prospects remain compromised by the drawdown of Upper Bittell reservoir and Earlswood Lakes, but holdings in Edgbaston (Rotton Park, 86% full) and Chasewater in Staffs (93% full) are encouraging – and the Trust is confident it will be able to access a supply from Chasewater for the 2018 boating season after Staffordshire CC (who own it) have undertaken some minor repairs.
3 OPERATIONS Redacted.
3.1 Attractions – Our main attractions are now open, Anderton from 12th March and Standedge reopened for half term in February (with a wedding fayre on 18th March to support this new initiative).
3.2 Operational incidents
3.2.1 In early December 2017, we had an issue with leakage from Jackson’s Aqueduct on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Lydiate. Temporary works had initially stemmed leakage but unfortunately the severe leak has returned. Further works are being mobilised.
3.2.2 Huddersfield Narrow Canal – Lock Quadrants. Engineers have reported signs of voiding below a significant number of quadrants (27 of 42 locks) posing a risk to customers and ongoing operation of the canal. At present, it is thought that repairs can be done in a way to avoid substantial disruption to customers but there is likely to be some disruption into the summer.
3.2.3 Redacted
3.2.4 Osterley Lock, Grand Union. Both bottom gate paddles had been damaged, rendering the lock inoperable. It appears vandalism had led to the whole rack, rod and paddle frame ripped from the bottom offside gate, they also snapped the rod on the towpath side bottom gate paddle. Dive contractors were instructed, on site within four days and completed the work in eight hours.
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3.2.5 Kentish Town Lock Regent’s Canal. The top gate was lifted out of position by a boat, leaving the lock inoperable. Customer Operations team mobilised and repaired within twelve hours. The team filmed the repair and posted on social media.
3.2.6 Flooding in Nottingham, Notts-Beeston Canal – parts of the centre of Nottingham flooded for several hours on the night of the 8th & 9th February. This was the result of vandalism to an EA flood gate at Meadow Lane, which caused the canal to back up. This resulted in flooding to the basement of a hotel and council offices, we have put our loss adjustors on alert in case we receive any claims, though EA are likely to be deemed responsible.
3.2.7 A significant pollution incident on the River Lee as a result of substantial quantities oil entering the Pymmes Brook in the Tottenham area of the River Lee Navigation – this is a notorious source of pollution as it links to a network of drains running through an industrial area. A huge clear up has taken place with the EA and we have assisted with volunteers. Boaters have been blocked in and some have become vocal. The navigation has been closed for over a month and likely to remain so for some while as the pollution has not yet been fully stopped. The issue has escalated to CE level following the intervention of David Lammy MP and a round table meeting with heads of the EA, Thames Water and local authorities is being arranged.
3.2.8 Weather: the recent severe cold snap and snow has affected the waterways right across the network. Some canals were closed (such as the Gloucester & Sharpness) for a few days and we have suffered several waterpoint freezes, many fallen trees, and failed office boilers as just a few examples of the impacts and challenges. Fortunately there were few additional problems as the thaw occurred.
3.2.9 Avian Flu – a dead swan at Napton reservoir confirmed with Avian Flu. Environment team has consulted DEFRA to ensure effective management and customer communication.
3.2.10 Open days- unfortunately we had to cancel two open days on the weekend of 3/4th March due to freezing weather, the remaining winter one on the K&A canal at Seend Lock Open Day on 11th March was successful, with over 700 visitors and multiple programme of activities including the Explorers, bird and bat box making, lime mortar demonstrations, poetry readings, yarn bombing workshop and wildlife walks.
3.3 Improvements
3.3.1 Floating Waste Disposal Facility on the Weaver Navigation – The rising cost of waste management is a growing issue, nationally, and we have developed a proposal to create a floating waste compound, the first of its kind. Recycled floating pontoons have been used, installed by a local engineering company, to fabricate a rise and fall anchor system for the pontoons. The new facility was brought into service at the end of January 2018, and so far it has proven to be effective in reducing the volumes of waste.
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3.3.2 Graffiti removal, River Soar – As a direct result of the outputs of our research work on public perceptions, which has identified the need to tackle hygiene factors and perceptions of being unsafe particularly in urban areas,, we have carried out a great deal of graffiti removal in Leicester with one example shown here
4 BOATING 4.1 Licensing Review Consultation – Following the Board decision in January the Trust’s final report and changes were published 6th March with a major communications effort. Redacted.
4.2 Equality Adjustments – Completed questionnaires are being returned and we have put a copy of the form on website. There has been some negative reaction to the request for greater information, and we are inviting feedback (including from Council boater representative Stella Ridgway). The Trust has placed an advert in the Occupational Therapist e.journal to encourage contact with organisations who can help advise on how to undertake assessments. Redacted.
4.3 London Mooring Strategy and Demand - Analysis of around 1250 consultation responses on the draft London Mooring Strategy is complete. Consultation report is being prepared for publication. We have held an initial meeting to review our approach to high boat demand in London and will draft an initial paper for discussion shortly.
4.4 Redacted
4.5 Redacted
4.6 A boating customer, whose boat was recently seized, arrived at the Newark office on the 5th February and was very abusive to staff, threatening their lives and arson. The police were called and statements were taken with no further incidents since.
4.7 Licence Evasion – Our annual National boat ‘check’ is underway to establish the overall licence compliance. The evasion caseload is the lowest it has been since last year’s check.
5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 5.1 Adoptions – We have now reached 205 adoptions. Recently signed adoptions include, the 1st Hertford Scouts and Lee Valley Park Volunteers at Waltham Town on the River Lee. Mid Cheshire Stand Up Paddleboarders are our first such adoption. A new corporate adoption has been taken on by Salesforce for a section of the GU Paddington Arm from Paddington to Kensal Green. We have also renewed Bloomberg’s adoption in London.
5.2 Community Roots: The ‘Greener Birmingham’ campaign began with volunteers from all over the city working in the city centre to improve the environment and work on planting and habitat creation schemes – including braving snow and sleet on a bitterly cold day to plant
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hardy fruit trees and snowdrop bulbs on the Soho loop.
5.3 Plastic Patrol in Birmingham: This was the first of 2 sessions in February from 16th - 19th February, volunteers set off from Farmers Bridge lock flight on a workboat recovering any floating plastic and scrap waste from the wharfs and main canals over 3 three days. The students were interviewed by BBC Midlands Today. 2 tons of plastic waste was collected and approx. 2 tons of scrap metal. During the week, we were joined by around 50 volunteers.
5.4 Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Chesterfield Canal / Nottingham-Beeston Canal - A new partner group, Nottingham SUP Yoga & Fitness has started volunteering with the Trust, combining paddle boarding with litter removal from harder to reach spots along the waterways. The first two tasks at Worksop and Nottingham have been very popular and have resulted in very positive media stories in the local press and on social media.
5.5 Safeguarding sessions for partner groups have been run in conjunction with the IWA who recognise this issue amongst their branches and their limited capacity to manage it.
5.6 Education:
5.6.1 By the end of January we had reached 59k children through our Explorer programme’s face to face education sessions this year.
5.6.2 A particular Explorers success in Leeds – to coincide with the Leeds Lock open day event - saw Cottingley Primary School take over our Fearns Wharf office in Leeds with activity sessions in the meeting rooms, a visit to the work taking place and a free boat trip thanks to Canal Connections.
5.6.3 STEM Programme - We’ve been training our existing education volunteers to deliver our STEM activities in Gloucester, the Midlands and Wales. They are being trained to deliver for both KS2 and KS3 children, meaning STEM delivery is becoming more widespread, with schools starting to request CREST awards.
5.6.4 Walsall Water Safe - Following a similar project in Birmingham, we are working in partnership with the RLNI and RLSS to promote water safety in Walsall schools. All schools will be offered a water safety assembly, where children will learn how to be SAFE along our inland waterways and when visiting the coast. This project is being launched to primary and secondary schools. Every school taking part will be offered a follow up visit to Walsall Canal Basin, led by our education volunteers.
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5.6.5 Winter Water Safety Assemblies - We are now delivering assemblies around the country, including new locations, new volunteers and new partnerships, with over 100 schools in the North West area, for example, and in York (where we meet), our new volunteer team have done their first water safety assemblies.
5.7 Youth Engagement:
5.7.1 Duke of Edinburgh – The Trust is an approved activity provider (AAP) for the volunteering element of D of E. and we are currently in discussions to explore the potential to extend our AAP status across other elements of the award
5.7.2 Prince’s Trust – Following a meeting in January, we are developing plans to pilot a project with the Prince’s Trust TEAM programme.
5.7.3 Desmond Family Canoe Trail: Two new project leaders started in February and we have started trialling a new evaluation framework to capture the more qualitative impact of the project’s activities. The next hub location, at West Leeds Activity Centre has been confirmed and plans are underway for a launch in the May half term to coincide with the next funder visit. The team is working with an external organisation to develop a leadership programme for young leaders and youth management board members. The canoe build project in partnership with Everton in the Community took place at the DFCT hub in Liverpool, with Start Creative CIC, to develop practical, woodworking skills and build 4 canoes. Johnson’s Hillock winter open day in Chorley was the first of many events this year to be attended by the DFCT team. offering the opportunity to take part in a 45 minute canoeing taster session.
5.8 Arts and Events
5.8.1 Light Night, Nottingham,– A colourful event was held on 23rd February on the Nottingham & Beeston Canal to coincide with the city’s ‘Light Night’ event, in partnership with the City Council who secured third party funding. It featured light sculptures and large projection of film and photography on warehouse walls along the canal plus Boat trips with canal laureate Nancy Campbell, .
5.8.2 Workshops held at a youth centre in Reading will lead up to the Family Wild Fun day planned at Fobney Lock for 24 March.
5.8.3 Tower of London Poppies –‘Weeping Window’ Tour We have been asked to support an event to bring the Poppies to Middleport Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent in the summer. The Council have requested that the Trent & Mersey towpath is used as the main viewing point, with estimates of around 65,000 visitors.
5.8.4 Sheffield & Tinsley Canal Onwards and Upwards is a series of 4 specially commissioned (by Sheffield CC) ‘chimneys’ along the 5
canal; progressing well in the development stage with funding applications submitted to Arts Council England and the Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund through the LEP, due in April.
5.9 Volunteering
5.9.1 Our performance so far this year is shown below. Numbers are especially strong in the Midlands, already ahead of target for the year.
Adoptions Hours Team actual target actual target East Midlands Waterway 27 30 71,657 70,000 Kennet & Avon Waterway 15 17 44,467 47,500 London Waterway 20 18 18,214 36,000 Manchester & Pennine Waterway 23 24 52,086 53,000 North East Waterway 19 20 37,313 46,500 North Wales & Borders Waterway 15 17 37,713 46,000 North West Waterway 24 26 37,053 60,000 South East Waterway 24 26 33,595 54,000 South Wales & Severn Waterway 12 16 35,874 36,000 West Midlands Waterway 26 31 71,928 70,000 Other teams 53,228 81,000 205* 225 493,128 600,000
5.9.2 Volunteer recognition for the Cotswold Canals On 2nd February HRH Prince of Wales visited Wallbridge Lock, Stroud to celebrate the restoration of the Cotswold Canal from Stonehouse to Thrupp Arriving by boat HRH The Prince of Wales cut the ribbon, chatted to the volunteers and unveiled the plaque. Canal & River Trust was recognised as a key partner and were represented by Dame Jenny Abramsky with other staff in attendance.
6 FUNDING & FINANCE 6.1 Redacted.
6.2 We have succeeded in securing £5k funding from the police to run some engagement activities in Walsall. We are working with the local teams and stakeholders to deliver this project.
6.3 Volunteer Lock Keeper Michelle Hale in South Wales has been sucessful in obtaining a grant application from the British Heart Foundation’s for the purchase of a defibrillator for the Llangynidr Welcome Station and Lock Flight.
6.4 A small funding application to London Borough of Islington (Community Festival Fund) was submitted for £4,000 to support the 2018 Angel Canal Festival. Further funding applications are likely over the next two to three months to support the Waterway deliver this festival.
7 CUSTOMER SERVICE 7.1 Moneypenny Customer Service Centre: Despite February’s adverse weather, calls and 6
emails dropped last month compared to January. Customer satisfaction is positive, as 92% of customers rated our service either good/ very good and 82% of customers were satisfied with the way in which their query was handled.
7.2 The Live Chat team handled 854 chats last month as we trial this cheaper/ more informal means of engagement.
7.3 The team are prepared for any increase in demand as a result of the recently published Boat Licensing Consultation and have already seen a slight spike in calls at the beginning of March. This demand will be monitored throughout the month to ensure feedback is gathered and themed.
7.4 The MoneyPenny contract is to be extended until October 2019 in order to allow for the reevaluation of the business requirements and any systems required for Customer Relationship Management within the Trust.
8 PEOPLE 8.1 2 staff members have recently been disciplined for allegations of bullying, one has resigned, the other is still in progress, it’s important that staff see the Trust as acting firmly and fairly in these circumstances.
9 FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES 9.1 Redacted
9.2 Redacted
9.3 Sharpness Pilots: the Trust operates the port under Statutory Harbour Authority status but a new issue relating to insurance of Pilots whilst operating from the existing ‘Competent Harbour Authority’ (CHA) area on the River Severn into the Dock has raised a request from the pilots for the Trust to consider becoming a CHA in its own right. Having reviewed the risks, the Trust has decided it is not best placed to take on a new CHA application when the adjacent Gloucester Harbour Trustees (GHT) operate the extensive CHA on the Severn estuary. We have however agreed to support the GHT investigating extending its responsibilities into the port.
9.4 Open water swimming: Two clubs are working through the ‘sh2out’ accreditation to enable more use of our reservoirs for safe open water swimming. Our strategic relationship with British Triathlon continues to develop constructively. World tri series will be held on the River Trent in Nottingham this summer, a key opportunity for Trust exposure to a new and emerging market.
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Trustees Meeting
22nd March 2018 For Information Trust338 Text in Red Confidential
APPENDIX 5: ASSET REPORT Simon Bamford, Asset Improvement Director
1. Introduction 1.1. This appendix provides an update on the Asset repair and works programme.
2. Waterway Infrastructure Maintenance and Repair (WIMR) 2.1. Priority Projects and Enterprise Funded Works- IDT At the end of January, the Priority Projects construction programme has delivered or committed £20,612k of works, 93% of the B17 construction planned expenditure. The Priority Projects dredging programme has delivered or committed £7,300k of works, 92% of the B17 dredging planned expenditure. Steady progress is being made with the Priority Projects winter works programme with over 20 projects currently on site. Significant change to the programme since Christmas has been accommodated following the addition of projects such as Llanfoist Embankment repairs, Lemonroyd Marina access repairs, additional grouting and spot dredging.
Llanfoist Redacted
To avoid the risk of canal closure, Kier have been instructed to undertake stabilisation works to the lower slope with works starting on site 26th February. The works consist of soil nailing a 20m wide section of the middle third of embankment Redacted. Works are on site but progressing more slowly than planned because of cold weather freezing the ground and the subsequent thaw and prolonged rainfall which has saturated the ground.
Marple The most significant area of activity remains on the Marple Flight where we are reconstructing the wall of Lock 15, installing a safety fence to the Aqueduct and completing a programme of construction and grouting repairs to the lock flight. Progress with the reconstruction of Lock 15 wall has been challenging due to the tight working area and adjacent road and properties. Around 60% of the chamber wall has been dismantled, but unfortunately much of the masonry has been found to be fractured and delaminating. This stone must be replaced with locally sourced stone to match and this, together with the recent poor weather, has resulted in a significant delay to the programme but we are challenging the programme to complete by end of April.
Lock 15 – excavating behind the wall and dismantling the existing wall The other repair works on the Marple flight are progressing well and are being delivered by contractors, direct services, waterway operations teams and volunteers. Progress to date has seen: • The Marple Aqueduct safety fence is currently being installed. • 30m of wash wall has been rebuilt between Lock 8 and Lock 9 • Towpath repairs have started between Lock 12 and Lock 13. • All specified lock quadrant walls have been rebuilt/repointed. • The Grouting team have completed the grouting of Locks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11. The grouting is ahead of programme and under budget and this has allowed additional grouting to be programmed for Locks 12 and 16. • Direct Services have commenced replacing the gates at Lock 13. • Volunteers have completed all vegetation clearance up to Lock 10. • Volunteers paddle replacement to lock gates is going well, with more paddles on order. These new paddles are significantly reducing the effort required to open the paddles and will make a huge difference to the experience of our customers.
Wash wall re-built between Locks 8 and 9
Marple Aqueduct safety fence being installed
2.2. Unlocking the Severn The Chairman has approved the HLF Delivery Funding bid submission, redacted, and the bid document was submitted on 15th March 2018.
2.3. Priority Works - Direct Services Steady progress has been made on the Priority Works programme with 100% of the plan being delivered by the end of January including 24% of agreed changes due to arising works. The M&E programme is on target with routine maintenance achieving 98% of planned tasks completed. The volume of arising and reactive tasks for the year stands at 177 across the Priority Works programme. Delivery of the post-Christmas stoppages is going well with over 60% of the stoppages completed by 23/02/18. Severe weather at the end of February/early March may have an impact on planned completion dates but steps have been taken to minimise the delays and effect on customers.
Leeds Lock 1- Outside Royal Armouries – Bottom Lock Gate installation and lock ladder extensions. Platform installed in preparation for the open weekend
Grand Union Canal – Knowle Lock 2 – Transporting spider crane to site and in-situ lifting gates
Huddersfield Narrow Canal - Lock 15 –Arising task to completely rebuild the lock’s by-weir and retaining wall
Kennet & Avon Canal – Seend Lock 19 – 60 tonnes of silt removed from the lock chamber and new bottom gates installed
Open Day Events – Post-Christmas there have been four Open day events facilitated and supported by Direct Services generating over 10,000 visitors • Johnson’s Hillock Lock – 1,212 visitors • Leeds Lock 1 – 2,083 visitors • Meaford Lock – 1,011 visitors • Foxton Locks – 5,879 visitors
Lock 15 Grantham Canal Restoration Volunteer led works to Lock 15 restoration on the Grantham Canal is progressing well. The bottom wing walls have now had the timber fences installed, stained and are finished. With the stone dam removed the bottom end of the lock looks fantastic.
Stone work has now been completed on both sides of the paddle culverts. The teams have also started on repointing them inside and about a third is completed. Manufacture of the lock gates has started and a trip is being organised for the volunteers to visit Stanley Ferry to see them being built. The lock approach has been started with a row of trench sheets These need to be driven to finished height and then have copings and bollards installed.
2.4. Operational Contracts Winter works are progressing well, with all programmed works scheduled for completion by the end of the financial year. The recent storms have resulted in significant reactive tree clearance throughout our network.
Worksop Feeder
Reactive Tree Clearance: Kennet & Avon
Scheduled maintenance of MEICA assets is ongoing, with a challenging final month to complete all visits this financial year. We have had some issues with the maintenance visits lately and plans are in place to re-train the site teams to ensure mistakes are not repeated. Our Framework Contractor has been working hard to learn the intricacies of our unique network and with the support of the Trust’s engineers and contract managers we’re seeing constant improvements
Millman Swing Bridge: Obsolete control system dating from 1989: new barriers, wig- wags and control panel are being installed as well as refurbishment of the existing HPU.
Site Services Contracts Invitations to Tender have been issued for the new Site Security and Site Scaffold contracts and contractors’ tenders are due mid-March with invitations to tender for the small tool hire and plant hire contracts expected late spring 2018.
2.5. Volunteer Delivery The Volunteer Delivery team have continued to carry out many tasks through the winter period and are on target to substantially complete their planned works and many arising tasks. Off side vegetation works on the Caldon Canal, Coventry Canal and Trent and Mersey have been moving at pace, and the teams are passionate about continuing and extending this work towards the end of 2018.
Hedge laying on the Chesterfield and the South Stratford canals
Before After
Minor brickwork repairs at Hansons bridge
Board Meeting 22 March 2018 Information Report Trust339 TEXT IN RED CONFIDENTIAL FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Author: Sandra Kelly, Finance Director
1 PURPOSE
1.1 This paper provides a review of the:
• F10 full year forecast and the ten-month’s performance to 31 January 2018; • Balance sheet at 31 January 2018 and year end forecast balance sheet; • Cash flow forecast; and • Financial KPIs.
1.2 Redacted
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1 The Board notes this report.
3 REDACTED