Item 1

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE held in the Wellington Room, The Castle, Winchester on Friday 6 December 2001.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor K.B. Estlin (Chairman)

Association of Hamble River Yacht Clubs

Mr J. Selby

Curdridge Parish Council

Councillor R.A. Wright

The Crown Estate

Mr F. Parrish

English Nature

Mr T. Cosgrove

Environment Agency

Miss L. Sheffield

Hamble Parish Council

Councillor R. Elliston

Hampshire Constabulary

Sgt. A. Simpson

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Marine Archaeology

Ms J.S. Satchell

River Hamble Marina and Berth Holders Association

Mr H. Knight

River Hamble Mooring Holders Association

Mr R. Daw

Royal Yachting Association

Mr J. Eardley

Southern Marine Industries

Mr T. Allen

Southern Sea Fisheries District Committee

Mr P. Hill

Southern Tourist Board

Mr J. Slater

Also in attendance were:-

Councillors: A.W. Rice; J.V. Bryant; T.M. Cartwright; Mr D. Alexander; Mr D. Octon; Dr. C. Heeps.

1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The Chairman welcomed members to the inaugural meeting of the Committee and introduced his Executive Member's Group. The composition of the Advisory Committee was intended to provide a forum for representative interests on the River. It would be possible to add further groups as required.

Members were invited to submit possible items for the Agenda to the Chairman or Secretary at least four weeks before the meeting.

2. TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Advisory Committee received and noted the Terms of Reference (Item 2 in the Minute Book).

3. MODERNISATION AND CHANGES TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE RIVER HAMBLE

The Advisory Committee considered the report of the County Planning Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) outlining administrative changes affecting the River Hamble.

The report set out the forces of change, described the consequences and related the extent to which changes had developed. A new symbiotic relationship would be forged with the Crown Estate, which from 1 January 2002 would result in the taking of two 50 year peppercorn leases of the River Hamble. The County Council would provide a management service for the 600 moorings currently licensed out to individuals; improve visitor facilities and promote the unique characteristics of the River Hamble.

A number of plans were to be produced for the management of specific issues on the River. Consultations were being carried out to agree the issues. There was a lack of clarity on the river as to who did what, and `Guide to the River' Handbook was to be published.

The modernisation of local government had led to the adoption of decision making by Cabinet with a Leader of the Council.

Decisions on the River Hamble would be made by the Executive Member for Environment on the advice of the Executive Member's Group. Whilst the Executive Member for Environment had disclosed a non-pecuniary interest as a mooring holder, the setting of the River Harbour Dues, would be approved by the Cabinet. A new River Hamble Harbour Management Committee's remit was to include the following criteria:-

· to advise the Executive Member for Environment in the discharge of his duties in respect of the River Hamble;


· prepare and maintain a strategic plan for the management of the River Hamble and delegate day to day decision-making to the Executive Member for Environment in consultation with the Executive Member Group;


· comment on an Annual Report from the Executive Member for Environment

A one year delay was expected in determining the result of the Municipal Ports review which would have a knock-on effect on plans to delegate decision-making to an Executive Group comprising seven people (three elected Members; the Harbour Master and three Specialist Members with experience in the environment; marine industry and recreation/sailing). A fast track Harbour Revision Order would be required to give effect to this proposal.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

4. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CHARGES

The Advisory Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) regarding the introduction of the new management arrangement for the County Council, and the reversion of 600 Moorings to the Crown Estate.

The Cabinet had at its meeting on 19 November 2001 approved the charges for the year starting 1 January 2002. These would represent a 3% increase over 2001:



Current Charge New Charge Imperial
(2001) (2002) Equivalent
per metre per metre per foot
(excl. VAT) (excl. VAT) (excl. VAT)

£ £ £

Harbour Dues 7.45 7.67 2.34
Moorings supervision 7.98 8.22 2.50

In future the Crown Estate would set mooring fees for the moorings currently
licensed to individuals, boatyards and sailing clubs. The Harbour Authority was to manage the moorings for the Crown Estate for which a fee would be charged. There would also be a supervisory element, which was to be set by the Harbour Authority as detailed above.

Hamble and Curdridge Parish Councils sought information about qualifications of person inspecting the pontoons, and they were advised that Mr John Patterson who carried out the inspections was an engineer. Mr Alexander had also taken part in the inspection process.

The Chairman explained that pontoons in a dangerous or unsafe condition were not acceptable. The Crown Estate had stipulated that all pontoons should be of an acceptable standard before they took over in the new year.

The Treasurer answered a question from Mr Daw regarding the 3% level of inflation increase, which was an arbitrary figure to recover costs.

The Harbour Master explained that the costs of supervision contained in the Moorings Rental fee included the investment by the Harbour Authority; checking and monitoring of boats and taking action where necessary, which gave added value to mooring holders.



RESOLVED:

That the charges for 2002 be noted.

5. REPORT OF THE HARBOUR MASTER

The Advisory Committee considered the report of the Harbour Master (Item 5 in the Minute Book) summarising activities and events on the River for the year 2001.

The summer patrols, which had been made daily, until 22.00 hrs had been made possible by additional staff. A survey of visitors and the impact of traffic on the Hamble area had been completed; and a report setting out findings was to be made to the June 2002 Management Committee.

Concerns were raised at the use of anti-fouling agents and their pollutant effects. It was anticipated that government control of such substances would limit their use in future.

The difficulties of controlling vessels speeding on the River were discussed. The Designated Person would be tasked with dealing with such incidents. Mr Daw requested that the Harbour Master be requested to include a wider definition and logging of incidents describing breakdowns on the river. These should in future include details of insecure pontoons, those adrift and those partially attached. He also requested the inclusion of details of problems caused by owner's works and failure of moorings, which then had to be secured by the Harbour Master's staff.

The Chief Executive was to speak to the Harbour Master regarding the classification of visitors and the demand for less than annual moorings. These should include instances of "visitors" remaining in the Hamble for 3-4 months.

Mr H. Knight of the Hamble Mooring Holder's Association explained that although individual mooring holders were able to speak to the Harbour Master and his staff when necessary, they were not always aware of events on the river. All aspects of the management of the river would be included in the next Annual Report to the Advisory Committee. Miss Sheffield reported that the Environment Agency would investigate the effects of anti-fouling on the river during 2002. It was considered that the use of anti-fouling agents would diminish.

Ms Satchell reported that the archaeological team would carry out an investigation of wrecks in the area during 2002. The Hamble River Project for Marine Archaeology had discovered many wooden wrecks on the mud-banks of the Hamble.

The Southern Tourist Board had undertaken a visitor survey in 1996 and the Harbour Master would be contacted to see in what information would be useful to the Harbour Authority when further surveys were carried out.

Mr Selby thanked Mr Parrish for meeting local clubs.

Mr Daw explained that he had raised issues with the Harbour Office, but was concerned that responses were not always received - for example complaints about vessels speeding and causing excessive wash. The Chairman responded that the Designated Person would be tasked with tackling this difficult issue.

Mr Elliston asked why the wreck in the Hamble channel had not previously been known. The Harbour Master explained that the scouring of the river bed by tidal action had exposed the wreck. Funding was being sought from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to finance a dredging plan. Councillor Elliston expressed concerns about the danger of swimmers in the vicinity of the A27 road bridge and busy shipping areas. The Chairman responded that the Designated Person would be working on possible solutions and that evidence for prosecutions might be obtained from CCTV.

Mr H. Knight drew attention to the decrease in Chandlers businesses serving the river. He requested that information regarding deployment of the oil boom be made available in sufficient time to allow him to notify his members. The Harbour Master replied that Notices to Mariners were always posted, but accepted that Mr Knight wished to have such information.

Mr Octon of Humberts would be acting as the contact when the Crown Estate assumed control of the moorings from 1 January 2002. The County Planning Officer replied to a question regarding the dynamics of the River and the need to investigate the causes of changes in the rivers profile, in order to find a solution. He stressed the importance of the River Hamble Plan which had to be in place in 2003. Mr Parrish also stressed that the Crown Estate's primary aim was to continue the good management of the river. It would be a time of challenge and opportunity, with vast resources being put in to change the Hamble. By working with the County Council and the river users, the Hamble could become an example for other harbours. It was a question of investment and management.

The Designated Person appointment had been made to Marine Enforcement Ltd., (MEL) of Sarisbury Green.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

6. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

31 May 2002 at The Castle, Winchester.

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