The Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC)
The Council is a statutory cross-border body which advises both British Waterways and the Scottish Government about the use and development of the canal network in Scotland. Scottish Ministers appoint 2 members to IWAC. The current Scottish appointees are Duncan McGhie and Ronnie Rusack. In August 2011, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with input from the Scottish Government in relation to Scottish aspects, consulted on a proposal to abolish IWAC. This consultation closed on 14 November 2011.
On 1 February 2012, Defra, after considering the responses the consultation, reaffirmed their intention to abolish IWAC in England and Wales. As Scottish responses to the consultation clearly support the case that a cross-border body is no longer required, Scottish Ministers agree with the UK Government decision that the IWAC should be abolished. We will look to the existing canal liaison networks in Scotland for advice on solutions specifically tailored to our canals issues.
The UK Government intends to lay an order under the Public Bodies Act to abolish IWAC. Subject to Scottish and UK parliamentary consent, it is anticipated that the order will come into effect in June 2012.
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