Broads Bill

Broads Bill Briefing

IWA has broadly supported the intentions of the Broads Authority’s Private Bill to amend the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988, but is concerned to keep navigation to the fore.  Details of developments and IWA's position on the main issues follow.

On 26th January, agreement was 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 23rd January.  Binding legal agreements were signed between the Broads Authority, Royal Yachting Association, British Marine Federation and IWA.  This agreement will assist the passage of the Bill, which all parties hope will receive Royal Assent before the end of the year. 

The agreements follow several months of negotiations between the Authority and the three national organisations, along with Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association and the Broads Hireboat Federation.  The Agreements, which are available on the Broads Authority’s website, www.broads-authority.gov.uk, 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. 

The key provisions of the Bill, which updates the 1988 Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act, are to: 

- 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;

- licence 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 water-skiing statutory and distinguish between water-skiing and wakeboarding so they can be managed separately;

- remove the outdated requirement for a separate Norwich Navigation Officer;

- widen the range of bodies that are involved in the appointment of members to the Authority by the Secretary of State;

- clarify and strengthen the role of the Authority’s 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.  A 1st Draft of the Bill was published in April 2006 and distributed to a wide range of organisations seeking their views.  This version was amended in the light of the comments received and a 2nd Draft sent out at the end of May 2006.  Further changes were made and the Authority has been able to resolve all the issues raised by the national and local boating organisations.  On 3rd November the Authority unanimously approved the draft of the Bill to be put before Parliament. 

The Broads Authority Bill was deposited in Parliament on 27th November and had its 1st reading in the House of Commons on 23rd January and 2nd reading on 30th January.  The Bill will be introduced in the Commons by Ian Gibson, MP for Norwich North, and into the Lords by the Bishop of Norwich.  IWA will maintain a close watch on the bill as it proceeds through Parliament to check that no adverse amendments to it are proposed.
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