>>
>> I read that particular statement as saying that you keep a close eye
>> on property values and wheel and deal with your portfolio, just as
>> you would if they were shares or building society accounts, to
>> ensure that the capital value increases or is maintained while
>> getting the income from it. That, surely, is prudent financial
>> management and if it means selling one bit to fund buying an even
>> better bit (or a bit with more future potential) then so be it, IMO.
>
>I guess that's where I part views from many on this list. I do think BW
>should retain the parts of its property portfolio that define the
>waterside environment, but for heritage not commercial reasons. By that
>I mean the physical infrastructure of the canal, plus related (listed)
>buildings, ancient monuments etc. They would still be free to derive
>income from those buildings but the focus should be on heritage.
>
>It may well be very old fashioned to say it but I do believe that BW is
>a national asset and belongs in the public sector. It is not a viable
>business in a commercial sense simply because it has insufficient
>sources of income. Most of its customers (walkers etc.) don't pay to use
>it and there is no easy way to get them to pay except through general
>taxation. I have no enthusiasm for the contrived business models I've
>heard to privatise BW here and elsewhere in recent weeks.
>
>** Retreats and prepares to be shot down by assorted capitalists **
>
>Steve
>NB Bream
I fully agree with you. Parks are not funded by property investment. They are
funded by the people for the people. Museums don't sell their assets or
buildings to raise funding. I don't even believe it should just be listed
buildings BW should hang on to. BW should have retained ownership of all the
canal heritage including all the lock cottages. Some of these are getting
unrecognisable, you only have to look at the Stratford cottages to see the
damage that has been done.
Sue nb Nackered Navvy
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