Boating organisations agree Broads Authority Bill
Agreement has been reached with the national and local boating organisations on the content of the Broads Authority Bill which had its first Reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Binding legal agreements have been signed between the Broads Authority, Royal Yachting Association, British Marine Federation and The Inland Waterways Association.
The agreement with these organisations will assist the passage of the Bill, which all parties hope will receive Royal Assent before the end of the year.
The Bill, which updates the 1988 Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act, will give the Authority new powers to make the Broads a safer place to navigate, enable government funding to be used on maintaining the waterways and modernise the working of the Authority.
The Bill will be introduced in the Commons by Ian Gibson, MP for Norwich North, and into the Lords by the Bishop of Norwich.
The agreements follow several months of joint working between the Authority and five national and local boating organisations, the Royal Yachting Association, British Marine Federation, The Inland Waterways Association, Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association and the Broads Hire Boat Federation.
The Agreements cover agreed amendments to the Bill, limitations on how the Authority will exercise its powers and agreed processes for how parts of the Bill will be implemented.
Kerry Turner, Chairman of the Broads Authority, said “This Bill, when enacted, will bring some important changes to the management of the Broads, particularly in relation to the safety of users. Over the last nine months we have worked hard to reconcile the concerns of the boating organisations and I am delighted that we have reached the agreement in advance of the second Reading next week. I hope it will now receive a speedy passage through Parliament.”
Rod Carr, Chief Executive of the RYA:
"The RYA is pleased that our lengthy negotiations have achieved a successful outcome. The Bill will create an important precedent so it was important to achieve an outcome that addressed the concerns of the local boaters but which also safeguarded issues of national significance.
We hope that the new management powers, along with the strengthened role of the Navigation Committee to scrutinise and advise the Authority on navigation matters, will form the basis for improved communications and a stronger partnership between the Authority and local boating interests.”
Rob Stevens, Chief Executive of the British Marine Federation:
“The British Marine Federation was very involved in the original drafting of the Broads Act and has brought this experience to bear, involving our local members, the Broads Hire Boat Federation, to illustrate key issues. The important role of the Broads Authority in maintaining safe and vibrant waterways cannot be understated and we are delighted that all the hard work we have put in to reach agreement has resulted in a Bill with safety at its heart.”
Neil Edwards, Chief Executive of The Inland Waterways Association:
“The Inland Waterways Association welcomes the agreement between the Broads Authority and the major user groups for the waterways that it manages, which has enabled users to agree amended wording for the Broads Bill. It is a vital piece of legislation for the good management of the Broads, and the constructive approach of the Authority in ensuring agreement with waterway users before the Bill takes its course through Parliament has been most welcome. Careful scrutiny of the proposed legislation by users and a robust debate has enabled a favourable outcome for all waterway users, the Authority, people who live in the area, and the Broads themselves.”
Philip Ollier, Executive Secretary of the Norfolk & Suffolk Boating Association (NSBA), commented that:
“We are pleased that the lengthy negotiations have been successfully concluded. Strengthening and clarifying the role of the Navigation Committee and presenting the Broads Authority’s accounts in a clearer format should improve communication between recreational users of boats on the Broads and the Authority. It is now clear when and on what issues the Authority must consult and inform the Navigation Committee. That means they will be better able to scrutinise the work being done and advise on future policy”.
Key Provisions of the Bill.
It will:
· effectively apply the National Boat Safety Scheme to reduce the risk of fire and explosions
· introduce compulsory third party insurance to boats, which has been an ambition for many years with exemptions for entry level craft of the type used by young people for learning to sail
· license hire boats - a key recommendation of a Maritime and Coastguard Agency report
· allow Broads Authority staff to enter land to manage overhanging vegetation which poses a hazard to navigation
· give the Haddiscoe Cut a public right of navigation
· make possible the transfer of responsibility for the navigation on Breydon Water from the Great Yarmouth Port Authority
· make a voluntary agreement to manage waterskiing statutory and distinguish between waterskiing and wakeboarding so they can be managed separately
· remove the outdated requirement for a separate Norwich Navigation Officer
· widen the range of bodies which are involved in the appointment of members to the Authority by the Secretary of State
· clarify and strengthen the role of the Navigation Committee as a scrutiny and advisory committee on navigation matters.
The Government has helped with the costs of the Bill by providing extra National Park Grant of £100,000. The Bill is expected to complete its passage through Parliament by the autumn of 2007.
The Agreement (pdf document) [432kb]
26/01/2007
