The Vole -- Blood on the Carpet
At times of great upheaval it's essential to have safe haven. Some have likened things here to "Day Zero" in Cambodia when Pol Pot took over. I've spent the last 2 months abroad and have returned to find much blood on the carpet.
The old MD was removed following a boardroom coup (a golden parachute softened the blow .... Matt). The new MD is a property man and what was the Property Division is now the core of AV(2010)PLC. The waterways side is effectively outsourced as AV(Waterways). Other than the name the only thing we know about the latter is it will be run by the ex Director of Change Mandy Botes. (No surprise there then).
On the Cut boaters have reacted vociferously to the announcement that the system will be shut down completely from November through March each year to save money. For many this was the final straw. In the past 5 years mooring prices have escalated, then red diesel disappeared, now the license only buys 7 months boating!
AV(2010)PLC is now besieged by protesting boaters and snowed under with E-Mails and much critical correspondence. Looking back people will see the seeds of this discontent were sown in 2006 with the DEFRA fiasco. Boaters rediscovered the spirit of the 50s and 60s and decided that if it took direct action to preserve the System then so be it.
Meanwhile, the asset stripping of the waterside property portfolio continues apace. All the old assurances regarding "sympathetic development" are being trotted out by Hugh Baton but no one believes a word. Liquidating Assets as quick as possible is the prime directive now.
Ivory Towers is now a shadow of it's former self. The property functions have been relocated, but to where is not clear. How many people does it take to organise a "for sale" sign on a property? Not many. Most of the new Board seem to work from their "existing" offices. You can draw your own conclusions from that.
What is clear a small number of directors are going to get very rich, but the Cut will continue it's slide into disrepair (Anyone remember MG ?.... Matt ). After all how can you make money out of the canals ( to quote the new MD)?
