Yes, I am still in the Chair after the 16th NABO AGM, but only for one more year. Then I will 'play it by ear' as to whether to stay on Council to assist a new Chairman.
Three Council members did not stand again, Tony Haynes, Aileen Butler and Peter Foster. No new nominations were received so the remaining members were re-elected to form your 2007/8 Council. Howard Anguish was chosen as the new Vice Chairman, other officers being Carole as Gen Sec (also of next year only) and Stephen Peters as Treasurer.
The financial state of NABO was healthy, showing a larger surplus than last year in spite of declining membership. Subscriptions remain unchanged in part due to the usual resignation threat by the Treasurer if they were changed!
The rest of the meeting was open discussion and after lunch John Edmunds explained the new role of IWAC, as opposed to IWAAC. Questions before lunch involved how members could better help NABO, raising NABO's profile to get more members and rallies and their value.
There was also much discussion about BW's new Customer Services Standards, waterway funding and the BW Licence increases. John sounded a note of caution about more campaigning for more funding from Defra and how the waterway community should view BW's property business. How to get other users to pay for waterways was also discussed. Will Chapman was present also for the Q&A session and he explained his thinking for future SoW activity.
Thanks to all who came. Maybe not enough but a keen, attentive crowd armed with good questions, who made for a very good meeting. Thanks also to everyone who helped us last year, even with just encouraging remarks.
Last week BW issued a document listing its minimum standards for both waterways and how it relates to customers.
Look out for your chance to comment, possibly as a NABO web feedback form.
Should follow next week after Saturday's Council meeting, so, that's all for now.