Witnesses:
Philip Riley, Basingstoke Canal
Society- Chairman
Martin Leech, Basingstoke Canal
Society- Vice-Chairman
James Taylor, Strategic
Manager- Basingstoke Canal
(SCC/HCC)
Jane Lovett,
Honorary Treasurer
Fiona Shipp, Canal Manager-
Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA)
Key
points raised during the discussion:
- The Chairman of
the Basingstoke Canal Society
introduced the report and outlined the completion of
Crookham Wharf last year made more
accessible to boats and especially disability users of the canal.
There was ongoing work at Farnborough Road “Holland”
Moorings, named after a benefactor. However the project was stopped
for 4-5 months due to concerns by Natural England over increased
turbidity levels.
- The Committee was
also informed of the increased boat trip operations, particularly
the larger John Pinkerton II and the smaller
Kitty trip boat attracting people internationally
to the Woking area. There was a new information board funded
through the Surrey County Council community fund and the Society
made a contribution to Woking wharf which opened at the end of May.
- The Chairman of
the Basingstoke Canal Society
reported that low water supplies were a continuing
problem and that a pumping solution for Deepcut, was discounted due to cost. Swan
“cutting” was noted as an ongoing concern where larger
boats cannot get through that section of the Canal, especially the
John Pinkerton trip boat which was a key source of
income for the Society. The BCS expressed that they would like to
see an acceleration of Hampshire County Council’s Legal
Services department on the issue. However, the Strategic Manager
and the Honorary Treasurer
explained that the Swan “cutting”
project could not be accelerated as the delay was from a
requirement to go to land owners first before having the design of
the project.
- Basingstoke Canal
Society representatives asked Officers for clarification on the
policy surrounding commemorative benches along the Canal.
The Canal Manager (BCA), reported that the
Authority would be using Hampshire County Council’s policy
and had agreed designs and prices. Benches
would be sourced from the saw mill in Norbury Park in Surrey with a ready-made style to
complement the Canal, and those who have enquired about the benches
have been contacted.
- The Committee was informed by the Chairman of
the Basingstoke Canal Society
of the sad news of the recent death of Robin Higgs OBE, a past Society chairman. The
Committee agreed that there should be a commemorative bench for him
and joint funding would be considered.
- Members from
Rushmoor Borough Council informed the
Committee of support that could be offered to the Basingstoke Canal
Authority. A Rushmoor BC member
informed the Committee that they are the Cabinet Champion for Culture and Destination 2019/20 and along
with the Canal Manager they are in contact
with a Biodiversity Officer at Rushmoor
BC and noted the positive contribution to the Basingstoke Canal
Authority. Another Rushmoor BC member
reported that there was a Farnborough airport
community environmental fund grant and that for every take-off or
landing at Farnborough airport, there was a grant to help support
local projects such as the Basingstoke Canal too.
Actions/ further information to be provided:
- A6/19: the Committee agreed to look into the options of
providing a commemorative bench for Robin
Higgs OBE, a former Basingstoke Canal Society chairman.
RESOLVED:
The
Committee noted the report.