East Anglia Press Releases for the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads with Press Releases and Articles from the Broads Authority in East Anglia, and the East of England UK.

All Broads users are being invited to apply for membership of the Broads Authority's Navigation Committee for the first time.

The decision to adopt a more open and transparent selection process could bring fresh blood on to the 13 strong committee with opportunities for a wider cross section of users including young and female boaters, canoeists, rowers, anglers, waterskiers and operators from the hire boat industry.

The Navigation Committee has an important scrutiny and advisory role. Five members are selected from amongst Broads Authority members and the remaining eight are appointed after consultation with a range of user organisations. Two of its appointed members go on to sit on the Broads Authority.

Following the Broads Authority's decision on Friday January 25th, all users of the navigation are being invited to apply for membership of the committee by a flyer circulated with the toll payers' newspaper, "Broad Sheet." Nominations from the appropriate organisations will also be sought.

Interviews will be carried out in May by a selection panel which will include leaders from the two major boating organisations, the chairman of the Government's advisory body on inland navigation and the chairman of the Broads Authority. Members will serve for an initial term of three years.

The existing system has produced a committee of leading figures from the local boating community who have made a valuable contribution to the work of the Authority. However, when the committee was last appointed in July 2004, consultation with 23 organisations generated only 10 names for the seven places with a number or organisations proposing the same individuals.

Kerry Turner, Chairman of the Authority, said:
"The Navigation Committee plays an important part in advising the Authority on its navigation role. The Authority has been extremely fortunate in the willingness of key figures in the local boating community to give up their time to advise on Broads issues from a navigation perspective. Their advice has been invaluable."

"The appointment process used to select the new committee continues to consult national and local user organisations as required in the legislation, meets the standards expected in public appointments and widens the pool of candidates for this important role."

An application pack can be downloaded from the Authority's website at www.broads-authority.gov.uk

Copies can also be obtained from: Broads Authority, 18 Colegate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ Telephone 01603 756003

Completed applications should be sent to: Director of Corporate Services, Broads Authority, 18 Colegate, Norwich, NR3 1BQ to arrive by Monday 31st March 2008.

Reproduced by kind permission of The Broads Authority.