Update On The Waterways Ombudsman Committee & New Ways Of Consulting With National User Groups
23 March 2005
BW?s Openness & Accountability consultation proposed, amongst other things, changes to the way we consult nationally, by having more meetings with user group representatives in any year and involving a wider range of user groups. In addition the consultation proposed a reform of the Waterways Ombudsman scheme that better demonstrated its independence from BW.
In September 2004, eminent academic and lawyer, Professor Jeffrey Jowell QC, was invited, as an independent expert, to help take forward these two proposals. He was appointed (with the support of the waterways minister) to chair the new Waterway Ombudsman Committee and was also asked to chair the working group tasked with developing a framework and constitution for the new consultation body.
This working group comprises eight people from leading user groups that represent various interests on the waterways, including private boaters, waterway businesses, anglers, walkers etc.
British Waterways Advisory Forum (BWAF)
In taking forward BW?s initiative for a new standing consultation body, the working group have chosen to call it the ?British Waterways Advisory Forum? (BWAF). The title ?Forum? was chosen to indicate its role is not to make decisions, but to identify common viewpoints and concerns amongst waterway interest groups, which can be put collectively to British Waterways? board members and senior management. Including the word ?Advisory? in the title shows that the purpose of the Forum is to facilitate a two way exchange of views and not to be just a consultation body to be talked at.
Update on the Waterways Ombudsman committee & new ways of consulting with national user groups/p2
In December 2004, the inauguration working group met for the first time to begin drawing up the framework and constitution for the new body. It met again in February and has agreed a draft constitution and working framework. The key proposed features are:
? between each general meeting there will be an ?agenda meeting? held between the Forum chairman and BW chairman, each accompanied by a small group of others, to discuss progress on issues raised at the previous general meeting and what needs to be discussed at the forthcoming general meeting.
Fuller details will be available when the draft constitution and accompanying documents are sent out to all groups that are to be invited to join the Forum. Invitations will be sent to a somewhat wider range of groups than have traditionally be invited to the BW National User Group and any group that thinks it will meet the criteria for membership can apply.
These invitations will be to the inaugural general meeting of the BWAF which will be held at a central London location on 11 May. Its main purpose will be to ratify the constitution and formally elect a chair and vice-chair to serve future meetings. It is also hoped to include discussions of the type intended to take place at every general meeting. Professor Jowell will chair the inaugural meeting of the BWAF but will then hand over the chair to the elected chairman at the conclusion of the meeting.
Update on the Waterways Ombudsman committee & new ways of consulting with national user groups
The existing framework of national specific interest meetings (boating and corridor issues) and the extensive network of the local user group meetings will continue and be complementary to the work and deliberations of the BWAF.
Waterways Ombudsman Committee
Professor Jowell will also chair the Waterways Ombudsman Committee, which will oversee the operation of the Waterways Ombudsman Scheme to ensure that it is working independently and effectively. The role of the Committee is to ensure that oversight of the scheme is at arms-length from British Waterways, that the independence of the Ombudsman is protected and preserved and that the Scheme receives adequate publicity.
The Committee will comprise (in addition to the chairman) three representatives of waterway user groups (to be selected by the membership of the BWAF), two non-aligned members and a minority British Waterways representation of two members (one Board director and one executive director).
The two non-aligned seats have been advertised nationally and applications were received from 128 candidates. Interviews have been conducted by Professor Jowell and the appointments will be announced shortly.
The committee?s first main task will be to appoint a new Ombudsman as the current Ombudsman, Stephen Edell, has announced his retirement after eight years in the post. Advertisements for the new Ombudsman have been placed in The Guardian and The Times and will be in the waterways press. The new Ombudsman is expected to be in post from June and Mr Edell will provide a hand-over to ensure the smooth running of the scheme.
BW will continue to fund the Ombudsman Scheme but via the Committee, whose job will include ensuring the Scheme is appropriately resourced.
For more press information call 01923 201329
Update on the Waterways Ombudsman committee & new ways of consulting with national user groups Openness & Accountability within British Waterways.
In 2003, British Waterways consulted with user groups, canal societies, trusts, local authorities and other bodies on areas such as complaints handling, the Waterways Ombudsman Scheme, and the general principles of dialogue and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. A proposed package of measures was published by which British Waterways aims to improve its openness and accountability.
The changes include:
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies to British Waterways and in accordance with the Act, British Waterways publishes many documents, including Board minutes, on the website, www.britishwaterways.co.uk. For further information please visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk/accountability