Issue - meetings

The Basingstoke Canal was acquired by Surrey and Hampshire County Councils in the 1970s to manage risks such as flooding and provide public recreation. In 1990, Surrey County Council and Hampshire County Council, as the two land-owning authorities, formed the Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) to operate and manage the Canal. 

However, the current Basingstoke Canal governance and operational model is no longer fit for purpose and is hindering its financial sustainability. Therefore, changes need to be made to the governance and operational framework for the Canal to enable Surrey and Hampshire County Councils to ensure that a more robust, effective and efficient decision-making structure is in place for the future. 

The Leader of the Council:

1.    Approved the changes in the governance model of the Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) as detailed in the report.

2.    Approved the removal of the BCA’s Joint management Committee from Surrey County Council’s constitution.

3.    Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure and Growth, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and the Head of Legal Services, to agree and enter into the necessary Memorandums of Understanding, Memorandums of Agreement, Agreements and arrangements with partners to deliver the updated governance.

4.    Delegated authority, subject to the usual limits on officer decision making authority, to the Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to exercise all functions in relation to the management and maintenance of the Basingstoke Canal as an environmental navigational asset and the balancing of the interests of all users of the Basingstoke Canal and the conservation of the natural environment

This decision is made in the context of Surrey County Council’s role as one of two landowning authorities for the Basingstoke Canal  (alongside Hampshire County Council) and following the approval of a parallel decision by the Executive Member of Hampshire County Council these changes shall come into effect from 1st April 2024.