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A brief note in BW's staff newspaper summary of the Board's
annual report says it all. Having been cut once, then restored, government
grant from DEFRA is to be cut again and elsewhere the publication describes
government grant as unpredictable as ever… Just give us a
contract!.
We find it completely illogical that an organisation such
as BW which has been something of a catalyst for a staggering £6billion
worth of regeneration across the public and private sectors has to rely on the
vagaries of politicians and civil servants every year to find out what grant it
is to be given.
Some time ago the idea of BW and DEFRA entering into a
contract whereby BW would know how much it would be getting for a number of
years was suggested by no less than DEFRA itself! With such a contract BW would
be able to look more accurately at medium term planning and stand an odds-on
chance of actually moving more quickly towards its eventual ambition of being
financially self sufficient.
At the moment, however, that appears to be more of wishful
thinking than fact thanks to DEFRA apparently (as ever) dragging its feet. Will
the new Waterways Minister be more positive than his predecessor? The age of
miracles may not yet be over... |
