Agenda item

The committee received a presentation from James Taylor, Strategic Manager, in relation to the work of the Basingstoke Canal Authority.

The Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) managed and maintained the 32 milelong canal which served Mytchett, Deepcut, and Frimley and Camberley (4.5km of canal was within the borough), and historically linked Basingstoke Markets to the London Docks. The canal was a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) and formed a significant part of the local blue/green infrastructure of the borough, providing recreational benefits to residents such as walking, cycling and kayaking.

The BCA undertook the day to day management of the canal and worked alongside The Basingstoke Canal Society to enable projects on the canal, ranging from new moorings and paths to events and boat rallies.

The Canal Authority undertook the day to day management of the canal, which promoted safe recreation along the canal, whilst balancing this with the necessary detailed inspections, conservation and maintenance programmes. This work was undertaken in front of the backdrop of the need to maintain the canal’s unique character which was reflected in the Canal’s status as a planning conservation area and a SSSI. Furthermore the Canal acted as part of the local drainage system which meant the Canal Authority had to carefully monitor water levels and pass on water to other local waterways during the winter months.

As a result of the pandemic’s social distancing restrictions, many of the income generation activities which the Canal Authority undertook had been cancelled, resulting in a severe lack of income for the authority in comparison to previous years. The authority alone loss an estimated £25,000 by the cancellation of its Santa Cruise event; and the overall loss of income meant the authority would be drawing £83,000 for its reserves in the next financial year. Currently two-thirds of the Canal Authority’s budget came from local authority funding, whilst a third came from self-generated means.

Looking forward it was appreciated that Local Authority budgets would be stretched and as a result the Authority were looking at initiatives to become more financially sustainable. This included carefully thought out charging of visitor fees and the widening of the Authority’s visitor offering such as increased café and camping facilities. This included the investment in a new facilities block on the canal’s campsite. In addition there was also an appetite to explore whether there was an opportunity to fund improvements along the towpaths with developer contributions.

Arising from Members’ questions and comments the following points were noted:

·         Following the drawing on reserves for the coming year to the sum of £83,000, there was an acknowledged need for the Canal Authority to replenish its reserves. It was requested that the Council does not cut the organisation’s revenue grant of £10,000 a year and that the Canal Authority would entertain a conversation with the Council around the finance of towpath maintenance projects. Moreover, there was general enthusiasm from the Committee to increase the Council’s support to the organisation.  

·         If the Council were to provide an increased revenue grant, the additional funds would be put towards path repairs which would benefit Surrey Heath residents.

·         The Canal Authority had recently replaced Lower gates at lock 28 and upper gates at lock 27 near Deepcut and positive works to replace the steps from the Canal onto Deepcut Bridge Road were almost finished. This was in addition to frequent work which was needed to be undertaken on the Towpaths within Surrey Heath as a result of holes being created by dogs jumping in and exiting the canal.

·         Whilst it was acknowledged there was some necessity for the Canal Authority to consider the introduction of some charges such as a small parking charge at the Canal’s Visitor Centre,  this could in turn exacerbate already difficult parking issues in Mytchett.

·         The canal authority’s cash reserves were just above a comfortable level.

·         The Canal Authority desired to install electric vehicle charging points at its visitor centre and already had a charging point in use for its electronic maintenance vehicles. However there were issues in respect of electricity supply which made installation of charging points for the general public difficult.

The Committee thanked James Taylor for his informative presentation.