Agenda item

Declarations of interest: None

Officers:

John How, Volunteer (Inland Waterways Association / Basingstoke Canal Society)

James Taylor, Strategic Manager – Basingstoke Canal

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The report was introduced by the Volunteer for the Basingstoke Canal Society. It was explained that a water strategy group had been set up to address issues around water supply. It was reported that the EA had indicated that they will look favourably at granting new 10 year abstraction licenses for the present (increased) volumes, without any additional justification. The Strategic Manager had made an application for the abstraction license. The new license should be received by March 2015. 

2.    An update was given on the telemetry project. This would allow for the accurate and live measuring of water levels on a half an hour basis. The results would then be put on a hosted website where water levels on the canal can be regularly checked.

3.    The Volunteer for the Basingstoke Canal Society thanked officers from Hampshire for their support with getting trading arrangements in place. The equipment for the telemetry project should be installed by Easter 2015.

4.    It was queried whether abstraction licenses were used fully. It was explained that abstraction licenses were crucial but mainly during the dry season.

5.    The JMC congratulated the water strategy group for all their excellent hard work. Members felt this work needed to be publicised to show the good work being done on the canal.

6.    It was explained that the EA used a similar water level measuring system which recorded the water level at each transition point.

7.    The Strategic Manager confirmed that the costing for the telemetry system would be around £60,000 but the running costs for this system would be low.

Resolved:  The report was noted

Actions/further information to be provided: None

Committee next steps: None.

Declarations of interest: None

Officers:

John How, Volunteer (Inland Waterways Association / Basingstoke Canal Society)

James Taylor, Strategic Manager – Basingstoke Canal

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The report was introduced by the Volunteer for the Basingstoke Canal Society. It was explained that a water strategy group had been set up to address issues around water supply. It was reported that the EA had indicated that they will look favourably at granting new 10 year abstraction licenses for the present (increased) volumes, without any additional justification. The Strategic Manager had made an application for the abstraction license. The new license should be received by March 2015. 

2.    An update was given on the telemetry project. This would allow for the accurate and live measuring of water levels on a half an hour basis. The results would then be put on a hosted website where water levels on the canal can be regularly checked.

3.    The Volunteer for the Basingstoke Canal Society thanked officers from Hampshire for their support with getting procurement arrangements in place. The equipment for the telemetry project should be installed by Easter 2015.

4.    It was queried whether abstraction licenses were used fully. It was explained that abstraction licenses were crucial but mainly during the dry season.

5.    The JMC congratulated the water strategy group for all their excellent hard work. Members felt this work needed to be publicised to show the good work being done on the canal.

6.    It was explained that the EA used a similar water level measuring system which recorded the water level at each transition point.

7.    The Strategic Manager confirmed that the costing for the telemetry system would be around £60,000 but the running costs for this system would be low.

Resolved:  The report was noted

Actions/further information to be provided: None

Committee next steps: None.