The Canal And River Trust Council Elections
I am proud to be standing as a candidate for the Canal And River Trust Council Elections as a Boating Business Candidate
My 150 word statement is as follows:
During my 33 years on the Inland Waterways, I have hired, lived aboard, worked and am now a self-employed, licenced Roving Trader. I am
standing to represent the interests of other Licensed Canal Traders as a Boat Business Candidate.
I will defend our rights to trade, especially with respect to licensing, mooring and trading disputes or unfairly imposed restrictions.
Being that most roving canal traders are live-aboard, continuous cruisers, I will be very keen to ensure that our interests are also
served in these areas.
RCTA members rely on the navigation being kept open in a safe, workable condition in order to trade; I will take an interest in CaRT
policy regarding any navigation stratagem, changes, limitations or closure to ensure that these are not detrimental to our way of life.
I will keenly look for new trading opportunities.
I am a member of The RCTA and the RBOA.
My 150 word statement is as follows:
During my 33 years on the Inland Waterways, I have hired, lived aboard, worked and am now a self-employed, licenced Roving Trader. I am
standing to represent the interests of other Licensed Canal Traders as a Boat Business Candidate.
I will defend our rights to trade, especially with respect to licensing, mooring and trading disputes or unfairly imposed restrictions.
Being that most roving canal traders are live-aboard, continuous cruisers, I will be very keen to ensure that our interests are also
served in these areas.
RCTA members rely on the navigation being kept open in a safe, workable condition in order to trade; I will take an interest in CaRT
policy regarding any navigation stratagem, changes, limitations or closure to ensure that these are not detrimental to our way of life.
I will keenly look for new trading opportunities.
I am a member of The RCTA and the RBOA.
The remaining Five CaRT Council Boating Business Candidates are ...Click here
The full listing of business candidates can be found here.
About Me
I first found out about canals when I was 13 and my father hired a narrowboat from Linslade, and just about every year thereafter, we enjoyed cruising the canals as a family holiday.
Since then I have had a long association with the waterways. I moved aboard my first live aboard in 1988 in London but sold up when I had the opportunity of running my own river-side pub In Wisbech, Cambs. During those times I still hired annually. I then worked for a couple of canal based companies moving boats and as a sales advisor. Whilst on a hire boat holiday "circumnavigating" the Warwickshire Ring, I met Carol who was on a Rose narrowboat and we have been together for over a decade now. After hiring several times, we decided to design and have "Tia" built and moved aboard in 2005. Shortly after we got our BW Trading License and started selling environmentally responsible cleaning products, duck food and now hand-made Jewellery which Carol makes.
Since then I have had a long association with the waterways. I moved aboard my first live aboard in 1988 in London but sold up when I had the opportunity of running my own river-side pub In Wisbech, Cambs. During those times I still hired annually. I then worked for a couple of canal based companies moving boats and as a sales advisor. Whilst on a hire boat holiday "circumnavigating" the Warwickshire Ring, I met Carol who was on a Rose narrowboat and we have been together for over a decade now. After hiring several times, we decided to design and have "Tia" built and moved aboard in 2005. Shortly after we got our BW Trading License and started selling environmentally responsible cleaning products, duck food and now hand-made Jewellery which Carol makes.
What I Stand For
As my statement says, I stand to represent all roving traders, defending our rights as license holders to trade freely throughout the network. I am boater first and foremost and trader a very close second, so I have an appreciation of the many similarities between cruising boaters and traders. For instance, we have to abide by the Continuous Cruisers conditions, boat safety scheme, mooring stipulations etc, etc, so I feel we should have a say in how these regulations are updated. Our needs as Roving Traders are very different from land based Boating Businesses who are also running for the only two seats available in this category.
As legitimate licensed traders we should be able to trade throughout the whole network without prejudice. We are required to pay a premium in both license and insurances but there have been occasions when disputes from land based businesses have showed that we are considered a threat and have not been supported by our managers within BW who seem to prefer taking the side of the complainant . I would like to see a fairness policy rather than a system where every time there is a complaint made against us a consultation document lands on the table.
I would encourage CaRT to help us find new trading opportunities and together look at options for localised "markets" at strategic locations, bringing new visitors and injecting new life into the waterways.
I fully understand that many boaters are disillusioned by the current regime of BW and I would like to see CaRT as a great opportunity to start afresh and give the canals a fighting chance to survive in a true environment of "Waterways For All"... A Community run by the People for the People.
I believe that boaters, from which ever "denomination" should have a say in all affairs that affect them and should be represented at all levels of the new charity.
I am, though, very concerned that the Government are trying to offload the financial (and managerial) "burden" of the Inland waterways without proper consultation, consideration or planning and to an all too limited timescale and insufficient financial contribution. Putting the CaRT before the horse you might say.
Sufficient Independent funding streams for the Trust appear to be in very short supply especially given the current financial climate. CART MUST find sources of finance which don’t require hammering the boater for other user groups financial shortfalls.
The Canal And River Trust could and should be a perfect opportunity to start afresh and put behind us all of the mistakes and money wasting schemes which have left the waterways under-funded in recent years.
In recent times many highly skilled members of the workforce have been lost to redundancy. The canals are a unique view into the history of our country having given invaluable support to the rise of the industrial revolution. It requires unique skills, understanding and commitment to ensure this amazing asset remains available to us in another 200 years. CaRT should look very carefully at putting together an apprenticeship scheme to ensure that those skills are not completely lost and that the workforce are kept at an adequate and competent level. The Canals also have a place in the present and the future and all of these positive aspects should be nurtured carefully by the Trust.
CaRT should be prepared to re-evaluate many of the "rules" which have been put in place and have become either uneconomical to maintain, unworkable or
impossible to police. There should be a set of rules that everybody can understand and follow (written in plain English), especially with regard to licenses and mooring.
CaRT should concentrate more on keeping visitor moorings in urban areas free from "overstayers" to appease the needs of hirers and short-term cruisers and concentrate less on rural areas which tend to police themselves due to lack of facilities - hence saving money and man hours. During Consultations earlier in the year, BW didn't seem to grasp that we Traders dont need special treatment, like having Permanent reserved trading moorings at honeypot sites! This would only result In animosity towards traders from other boaters, and as traders we can't afford to alienate our customers. However as we do pay more to BW for the privilege of being able to trade it would be advantageous to all parties to be able to embrace a lenient attitude To Trader mooring when necessary.
I am pleased that the Government has seen sense and has made the Freedom Of Information Act a pre-requisite of CaRT setting up as a charity. Let’s hope
previous misdemeanours are not repeated and that the new Trust is properly open and transparent in its dealings. TRUST MUST BE EARNED!
Although I am a member of The RBOA I am not officially supported by them. I am a member of The Roving Canal Traders Assoc and I do have their support.
As legitimate licensed traders we should be able to trade throughout the whole network without prejudice. We are required to pay a premium in both license and insurances but there have been occasions when disputes from land based businesses have showed that we are considered a threat and have not been supported by our managers within BW who seem to prefer taking the side of the complainant . I would like to see a fairness policy rather than a system where every time there is a complaint made against us a consultation document lands on the table.
I would encourage CaRT to help us find new trading opportunities and together look at options for localised "markets" at strategic locations, bringing new visitors and injecting new life into the waterways.
I fully understand that many boaters are disillusioned by the current regime of BW and I would like to see CaRT as a great opportunity to start afresh and give the canals a fighting chance to survive in a true environment of "Waterways For All"... A Community run by the People for the People.
I believe that boaters, from which ever "denomination" should have a say in all affairs that affect them and should be represented at all levels of the new charity.
I am, though, very concerned that the Government are trying to offload the financial (and managerial) "burden" of the Inland waterways without proper consultation, consideration or planning and to an all too limited timescale and insufficient financial contribution. Putting the CaRT before the horse you might say.
Sufficient Independent funding streams for the Trust appear to be in very short supply especially given the current financial climate. CART MUST find sources of finance which don’t require hammering the boater for other user groups financial shortfalls.
The Canal And River Trust could and should be a perfect opportunity to start afresh and put behind us all of the mistakes and money wasting schemes which have left the waterways under-funded in recent years.
In recent times many highly skilled members of the workforce have been lost to redundancy. The canals are a unique view into the history of our country having given invaluable support to the rise of the industrial revolution. It requires unique skills, understanding and commitment to ensure this amazing asset remains available to us in another 200 years. CaRT should look very carefully at putting together an apprenticeship scheme to ensure that those skills are not completely lost and that the workforce are kept at an adequate and competent level. The Canals also have a place in the present and the future and all of these positive aspects should be nurtured carefully by the Trust.
CaRT should be prepared to re-evaluate many of the "rules" which have been put in place and have become either uneconomical to maintain, unworkable or
impossible to police. There should be a set of rules that everybody can understand and follow (written in plain English), especially with regard to licenses and mooring.
CaRT should concentrate more on keeping visitor moorings in urban areas free from "overstayers" to appease the needs of hirers and short-term cruisers and concentrate less on rural areas which tend to police themselves due to lack of facilities - hence saving money and man hours. During Consultations earlier in the year, BW didn't seem to grasp that we Traders dont need special treatment, like having Permanent reserved trading moorings at honeypot sites! This would only result In animosity towards traders from other boaters, and as traders we can't afford to alienate our customers. However as we do pay more to BW for the privilege of being able to trade it would be advantageous to all parties to be able to embrace a lenient attitude To Trader mooring when necessary.
I am pleased that the Government has seen sense and has made the Freedom Of Information Act a pre-requisite of CaRT setting up as a charity. Let’s hope
previous misdemeanours are not repeated and that the new Trust is properly open and transparent in its dealings. TRUST MUST BE EARNED!
Although I am a member of The RBOA I am not officially supported by them. I am a member of The Roving Canal Traders Assoc and I do have their support.
Update 9th Feb.
Thanks to all the businesses who have responded to my email recently. It is becoming evident that small land-based canalside businesses are suffering many of the problems that Roving Traders have encountered / are encountering. I would be more than happy to represent small businesses in the same way as I would Roving Traders if elected; although I will admit to needing plenty of help and communications as it is a very long time since I ran a pub and am a little out of touch. However, together we can make a difference.
News About CaRT Funding
Voting
It has been announced that there are 6 Boating Business Candidates.
Please ensure that you mark a 1 in the space next to my name (Graham Phillips) to ensure you and your business are properly represented on Council... Thank you!
I would encourage ALL "Trading Business Craft Licence" holders to join http://canaltraders.org.uk as it will be easier to communicate with you
How to vote
The voting process for CRT Council is confirmed by BW as follows:
• Week commencing 8 February – eligible voters receive their ballot pack.
• Ballot packs will contain the ballot papers for that constituency (Employee, Private Boater or "BOATING BUSINESS"), candidate names and their election statements. The ballot papers will also have a unique ID (PIN) number.
• Votes can be cast by post, on-line or by SMS.
a. Postal votes – complete and return ballot paper in the pre-paid reply envelope that will be included in the ballot pack.
b. Online votes – go to website URL printed on the ballot paper, enter security codes to login, cast votes and “Confirm” otherwise votes will not be recorded.
c. SMS votes – send text including security codes to SMS number printed on the ballot paper, together with ID numbers of candidates that you are casting votes for.
• Voters have a 30 day period in which to cast their votes. Voting opens Monday 8 February 2012 and closes 12noon Friday 9 March 2012
Attempts to vote by more than one channel (e.g. by internet as well as by post) will be identified – the security codes used for each channel are recorded and compared, and any duplicates will be invalidated.
If you would like to know more about the voting process being used please click here . Good Luck ;O)
Please ensure that you mark a 1 in the space next to my name (Graham Phillips) to ensure you and your business are properly represented on Council... Thank you!
I would encourage ALL "Trading Business Craft Licence" holders to join http://canaltraders.org.uk as it will be easier to communicate with you
How to vote
The voting process for CRT Council is confirmed by BW as follows:
• Week commencing 8 February – eligible voters receive their ballot pack.
• Ballot packs will contain the ballot papers for that constituency (Employee, Private Boater or "BOATING BUSINESS"), candidate names and their election statements. The ballot papers will also have a unique ID (PIN) number.
• Votes can be cast by post, on-line or by SMS.
a. Postal votes – complete and return ballot paper in the pre-paid reply envelope that will be included in the ballot pack.
b. Online votes – go to website URL printed on the ballot paper, enter security codes to login, cast votes and “Confirm” otherwise votes will not be recorded.
c. SMS votes – send text including security codes to SMS number printed on the ballot paper, together with ID numbers of candidates that you are casting votes for.
• Voters have a 30 day period in which to cast their votes. Voting opens Monday 8 February 2012 and closes 12noon Friday 9 March 2012
Attempts to vote by more than one channel (e.g. by internet as well as by post) will be identified – the security codes used for each channel are recorded and compared, and any duplicates will be invalidated.
If you would like to know more about the voting process being used please click here . Good Luck ;O)
Contact
I am happy to answer any questions you may have. You can contact me by email on graham@tiacares.co.uk or on my Facebook Page Click Here
or through the Contact Page on this site
or through the Contact Page on this site
