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SCOTLAND'S CANALS: an asset for the future
6 LINKS BETWEEN PUBLIC SECTOR BODIES
Caledonian Canal
6.1 This section describes the main public bodies whose activities in Scotland are relevant to the canals.
6.2 The Scottish Executive expects these organisations, as part of its strategic approach to canals, to work with and, if appropriate fund, BW as it seeks to maximise the public benefits available from the canals.
British Waterways
6.3 Devolution has transferred functions to Scottish Ministers enabling them to sponsor and influence, where appropriate, BW activities in Scotland. Scottish Ministers want BW to develop the canals on their own initiative. However, this freedom must be tempered by acknowledgement of the role and legitimate interests of the Executive given the use of public money through grant and the public assets involved.
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Avon Aquaduct, Union Canal | |
British Waterways Scotland funding
6.4 The grant in aid to British Waterways Scotland (BWS) from the Scottish Executive in both 2001-02 and 2002-03 is 7.1 million. Additional funding of 1.5 million was also awarded in 2001-02 mainly to help with the completion of the Millennium Link. In the Scottish Budget for 2003-06 BWS grant will increase to 8.4 million in 2003-04 and 8.9 million in each of the next 2 financial years.
6.5 BWS submits a funding support document to the Scottish Executive annually. This document includes performance targets that are in line with the strategic objectives contained in BW's corporate plan. The Scottish Executive uses this information to determine BWS grant. BW is expected, over time, to generate an increasing proportion of their funding from private sector sources.
6.6 The Scottish Parliament receives a report each year that:
describes BWS activities;
summarises BWS financial performance; and
accounts for the grant paid each year by Parliament.
6.7 Scottish Ministers have responsibility for appointing two members to the Board of BW. The current Scottish appointees are indicated in the list of Board Members at Annex B. These two Board members are also members of British Waterways' Scotland Group. Scottish Ministers very much welcome the establishment of this Group and believe it will act as a strong, central and valuable focus for developing Scotland's canals. Full membership of the Group is listed at the back of this document at Annex D.
British Waterways Scotland Group's role is to champion the corporate and commercial interests of BW in Scotland by: advising BW's Scotland Director on the development and implementation of strategy; providing advice and guidance on Scottish affairs to BW; and engaging a broad range of interests in the stewardship of Scotland's canals.
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6.8 BWS has held three Annual Meetings in Edinburgh which were open to the public. They attracted a wide cross section of canal user groups, MSPs, local authorities and members of the business community. These open meetings are a welcome innovation that we hope will encourage communication between all those interested in canals.
Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council (IWAAC)
6.9 IWAAC, a statutory cross-border advisory body to the Executive and BW in Scotland, has a useful role to play. It advises both BW and the Executive about the use and development of Scotland's canals for recreation and amenity purposes. Scottish Ministers appoint two members to IWAAC. The current Scottish appointees are indicated in the list of Council Members at Annex C.
6.10 IWAAC's output in recent years has included:
Britain's Inland Waterways: An Undervalued Asset (1996).
Final Recommendations to Government (1997).
Waterway Restoration Priorities (1998).
Inland Waterways: Towards Greater Social Inclusion (2000).
Innovation on the UK Waterways (2000)
A Second Waterway Age: Review of Waterway Restoration and Development Priorities (2001).
Planning a Future for the Inland Waterways: A Good Practice Guide (2001).
These reports have helped to inform debate about the development of Britain's inland waterways.
Local Authorities
6.11 Local authorities have an important role to play as many have a canal and its environs within their boundaries. The need for partnership working between Councils, BW, Local Enterprise Companies and other agencies is strong - particularly so in order to maximise the potential of the renovated Scottish canal network. Local authorities have numerous functions which influence canal use and development e.g. planning control, education and local transport. Furthermore, opportunities for regeneration have to take place within the framework set by local authorities through their Development Plans. The Scottish Executive therefore looks to local authorities to consider the role canals can play as such Development Plans progress.
Enterprise Bodies
6.12 Scottish Enterprise (SEn) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) are Scottish Executive-funded economic development agencies.
Working through Local Enterprise Companies both SEn and HIE's priorities include: helping new businesses get underway; supporting and developing existing businesses; helping people gain the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of the economy now and in the future; and helping Scottish businesses develop a strong presence in the global economy.
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6.13 Both SEn and HIE work with BW to maximise the development and regeneration opportunities offered by our canals. Indeed, SEn provided significant funding towards the capital costs of the Millennium Link project. It is vital that the Enterprise Bodies and BW continue to work together to ensure canal-side communities benefit from the job creation potential offered by the renaissance in Scotland's canals. To this end, Local Enterprise Companies are encouraged to include canals in their strategic plans, where appropriate.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
6.14 SEPA is the public body responsible for environmental protection in Scotland. It was established under the Environment Act 1995 and became fully operational from 1 April 1996.
6.15 BW and SEPA have developed an effective working relationship. This was clearly illustrated during the Millennium Link project when mercury contamination was treated in a 9-kilometre stretch of the Union canal. BW, SEPA, SNH and those local authorities affected, successfully collaborated to ensure the pollution was cleared in an environmentally acceptable way, with minimal disruption to users. The Scottish Executive expects this collaborative approach to continue, particularly as the EC Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is implemented in Scotland.
Caledonian Canal
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