ITEM 3

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR BOARD held at The Warsash Maritime Centre on 14 July 2006

PRESENT

Hampshire County Council

p Councillor T.G. Knight (Chairman)

a Councillor J.V. Bryant

p Councillor K. House

Independent Members

p Mr. T. Lovell

a Mr. C. Moody

p Dr. S. Tomson

Marine Director

p Mr. D. Evans

Also Present

Cllr Dr. R.J. Ellis, Chairman of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee, and Captain M. Capon, Designated Person (Port Marine Safety Code)

84 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillor J.V. Bryant, Mr. C. Moody and Mr. A. Clatworthy (Harbour Master).

85 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed.

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

86 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 19 May, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.



Arising thereon:

Minute 76, Universal Marina

It was reported that the Section 106 Agreement was still being progressed by Fareham Borough Council.

87 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman congratulated Board Member, Susie Tomson on the birth of her baby and welcomed her back to the Board. He also reported receipt of letters from several stakeholders, and had suggested that they should pursue their concerns through the democratic processes: deputations, the Management Committee and the annual forum.

88 DEPUTATIONS

The Board received a deputation from Mr. P.F. Sheppard relating to harbour dues and supervision charges and their impact on mid stream mooring holders.

89 MINUTES OF THE RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - 3 JULY 2006

The Board received the Minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee meeting held on 3 July 2006, which were subject to confirmation as a correct record. A copy appears as Item 6 in the Minute Book. Advice from the Management Committee would be taken into account as the Board considered each of the items of their agenda.

90 HARBOUR DUES AND SUPERVISION CHARGES

The Board considered the report of the Harbour Dues Working Group following its review of the scheme for the collection of harbour dues and supervision charges (Item 7 in the Minute Book). The report had been considered by the Management Committee which unanimously recommended acceptance of the report's recommendations. Discussion centred on the proposition that canoes and kayaks should be exempted from harbour dues. The Board accepted that canoes and kayaks, which mostly used the Upper Hamble, derived some benefits in terms of safety cover and supervision. However, they noted there was in any event an exemption from charges for craft under 3 metres in length, which would apply to about 50% of canoes or kayaks. Members generally felt that the income to be derived from levying charges was modest and the costs of collection would probably be disproportionate. The Board, therefore, were of the view that the recommended exemption for canoes and kayaks should apply, with the impact to be reviewed after 3 years' operation in the Summer of 2009.

The Board then went on to consider the rationale of the proposed charging regime, and focused on the differential rates between various types of moorings referred to in paragraph 6.8. They therefore suggested that the Management Committee should consider further and consult with users on what the percentage ratio of dues applicable to the different types of moorings should be. It was likely that the Chairman would ask the Management Committee to set up a Working Group. The Board accepted that the charges for January 2007 onwards had already been established, so the further review of rates for dues to be charged from January 2008 onwards would need to be completed for adoption by the Board not later than May 2007.

RESOLVED:

(a) That supervision charges be subsumed into a single system of harbour dues. (As already agreed by the Board in October 2005).


(b) That the appropriate amount of harbour dues be set by type of mooring.


(c) That there be no system of discounts and no named supervision activities.


(d) That while other existing and new harbour dues should continue to apply, vessels without engines or sails that are being rowed or paddled should be exempt from the requirement to pay such dues: the impact of such exemption to be reviewed after 3 years' operation in Summer 2009.


(e) That the current exemptions, e.g. for craft under 3 metres in length (unless they have engines of 10 hp or above) and for craft being used for charitable purposes, should continue to apply.


(f) That widespread publicity be given to the proposed changes to harbour dues summarised above.


(g) That the Management Committee be requested to consider further and consult with users on what the percentage ratio of harbour dues applicable to the different types of moorings should be, with specific reference to midstream moorings at a cost of x, commercial moorings at a cost of y and marina moorings at a cost of z: such review to be completed for adoption by the Board not later than May 2007 for implementation from January 2008.

91 HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) summarising activities and events on the river since the last meeting. The report was amplified by an annex which gave details of incidents and events up to 14 July.



The Marine Director presented the report in the Harbour Master's absence and the Board drew particular attention to the following:

· The ongoing problem of youngsters and youths jumping from bridges and jetties and thereby causing a danger to themselves and other river users. In this connection, byelaws were being progressed by Eastleigh Borough Council and Fareham Borough Council, and the Board were informed of procedures to be adopted by patrol staff when dealing with youths and children.


· There were also problems caused by youths jumping from the M27 motorway bridge, and the Harbour Master was asked to pursue this as a safety issue with the Highways Agency patrol staff. In addition the Harbour Master was asked to liaise with local authorities to involve Police Community Safety Officers.


· Jumping and other anti-social behaviour to be raised by the Harbour Master as a priority task for Police Community Safety Officers as soon as they are appointed in the relevant areas.


· Warsash Sailing Club - the Board strongly endorsed the approach of the Harbour Master to insist on a proper safety investigation and asked to be advised of the outcome.


· The Board were pleased to note the satisfactory outcome of the audit under the Port Marine Safety Code which established that all operational and safety systems were functional and fit for purpose.


· The Fishermen's Jetty had now been opened and was well used both by fishermen and the general public.


· The Board also noted correction of paragraph 4.18: the Port Marine Safety Code Audit was undertaken by Marine Enforcement Limited as Designated Person for the Harbour Authority.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and


(a) That the action of the Harbour Master be endorsed in insisting on a full safety investigation following an incident on 28 May at Warsash Sailing Club, with the outcome to be reported to the Board in due course.


(b) That the problems posed by youths/youngsters jumping from bridges and jetties be pursued as appropriate with the Highways Agency and local authorities.

92 ANNUAL REPORT OF ACHIEVEMENT AGAINST SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN AND ACTION PLAN

The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) setting out the current status of Harbour Authority tasks and actions set out in the 2005/06 service delivery plan, and noted the arrangements made for a training event for Board Members. The report was generally welcomed, and was received and noted.

93 TWO YEARLY NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY UPDATE

The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which followed a risk-based system recommended in the Port Marine Safety Code and proposed improvements to the navigational system for the River Hamble. The Board considered the proposed recommendations in detail, as summarised in Appendix 6. On paragraph 3.25, the Board suggested that consideration be given to constructing a bridge to the outer pontoon of Cabin Boatyard. The Board also suggested that there should be a safety briefing for participants in dinghy races as well as the organisers, and asked whether the Harbour Authority could not make more use of volunteers.

RESOLVED:

That the Harbour Master be authorised to carry out the procedures and actions detailed in the report and summarised at Appendix 6, subject to further consideration being given to the installation of a bridge at Cabin Boatyard.

94 RIVER HAMBLE FINAL ACCOUNTS 2005/06

The Board considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) setting out the final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ending 31 March 2006.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the final accounts 2005/06 be approved by the Board.

95 MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES

The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) outlining current issues of significance in the management of the River. With regard to the Ports Policy Review, a response to the Department for Transport was required before the Board's next meeting and it was therefore

RESOLVED:

That the Marine Director, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board, be authorised to submit the Harbour Authority's response to the Ports Policy Review, to be prepared in the light of observations made by Board and Management Committee Members.

96 ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) summarising events and activities affecting the environment of the River from February 2006 onwards. With regard to the relocation of glass recycling away from the Shore Road car park, the Chairman undertook to pursue the issue with Fareham Borough Council as the Board felt it made sense for glass recycling to remain in its previous location. The Board endorsed the arrangements now in place between the Harbour Authority and the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology which aimed to ensure consultation, investigation and recording of any heritage, historical or archaeological artefacts along the River Hamble before any action was taken to remove or dispose of them. The report was therefore received and noted.

97 RIVER HAMBLE ANNUAL FORUM - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on suggested answers to questions raised by members of the public at the River Hamble Annual Forum and presenting the notes of that forum.

The Board note that the Management Committee had reformed the Working Group to consider the remaining issues raised at the Forum.

RESOLVED:

That the wording of the answers to questions raised at the Annual Forum be approved and published as set out in the report, and that the notes of the Annual Forum be received and noted.

98 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Board considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on the forward plan of items to be considered at future meetings of the Board. Adjustments were made to delete the Review of Byelaws from the meeting on 22 September, and to move the report headed "Environmental Update" from November to September. The report would be duly amended.

8hM040706