Contact: Merrick Denton-Thompson, ext 6826

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That a River Hamble Handbook be prepared, setting out as a statement of fact the administrative arrangements for the management of the River Hamble, and that a public consultation leaflet be prepared to seek views on broad aims and objectives for an overarching River Hamble Management Plan.

2. Reason

2.1 To set out clearly for public use the role of the River Hamble Harbour Authority, its relationship with the Crown Estate and how decisions are going to be made as a result of the modernisation process.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 None.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 At the last meeting of the former River Hamble Moorings Working Group members discussed the wide range of individual plans that would make up the River Hamble Management Plan, as set out in the attached appendix. The production of these plans is, and will be, a major task and it will not be possible to release them all at the same time. Furthermore, their production will involve different people, both in the drafting and in the consultation process.

7.2 However, it is necessary to ensure that the overall direction of the individual plans is integrated so that they comply with a long term goal for the future of the River Hamble. There is a need to explore whether it is possible to build a consensus about the future of the river. This could only be attempted if there is clarity about the functions and responsibilities of the various organisations involved in the river.

7.3 It is clear from the market research, which set out to identify the issues, that there is a lack of understanding amongst those involved in the river about which organisation is responsible for what. This is reasonable, bearing in mind the constant changes that are taking place as a consequence of the alteration in lease arrangements and the modernisation of Local Government.

8. The Way Ahead

8.1 There is an urgent need to produce a River Hamble Handbook for public use which could also include the role of the local planning authority, highway authority and other key organisations.

8.2 It is suggested that, at the same time, a brief consultation document be prepared that sets out a broad mission (or vision) statement, based on the range of issues identified both by the Harbour Authority and the market research. It could set out suggested aims and objectives for public comment. This document will need to encompass the wide range of issues that have the potential to be in conflict with each other at the same time as identifying new opportunities. The key challenge for the Executive is to arrive at an appropriate balance between the various issues.

8.3 It is proposed that the consultation takes the form of publicly available leaflets, along with a covering letter to those organisations with a known interest in the future of the river.

8.4 The individual plans can then take their own course as they will be topic specific with particular target audiences. However, it might be appropriate for a broad mission statement and a draft moorings plan to be issued together for public consultation.

9. Other Research

9.1 Concurrently with the Harbour Authority and Crown Estate's research, the County Surveyor has carried out a study of transport issues on the Hamble peninsula. The outcomes of this study are still awaited, but it is anticipated that it will generate further consultation on an overall transport strategy for the peninsula and on specific proposals. Clearly, it would be sensible to take the opportunity to integrate consultations on transport with those on the future of the river wherever possible.

6712AC/MD-T

APPENDIX