Item 5

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE held in the Wellington Room, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester on Friday 4 June 2004.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor K.B. Estlin (Chairman)

Fareham Borough Council

Councillor T.M. Cartwright (Warsash Ward)

Councillor D.C. Swanbrow (Sarisbury Ward)

River Hamble Mooring Holders' Association

Mr P.S. Middleton

River Hamble Berth Holders' Association

Mr H. Knight

Association of River Hamble Yacht Clubs

Mr C. Hall

Environment Agency

Miss L. Sheffield

River Hamble Boatyard and Marina Operators

Mr C. Moody

Hampshire Constabulary

Sgt. A. Simpson

Royal Yachting Association

Mr R. Garner

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology

Ms J.S. Satchell

Curdridge Parish Council

Councillor J. F. Mitchell

Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council

Councillor A.R. Elliston

Southern Sea Fisheries District Committee

Mr P. Hill

Botley Parish Council

Mr D. Blampied

Also in attendance: Councillor T.G. Knight; Mr T. Clatworthy (Harbour Master); Capt. M. Capon (Designated Person)

42. 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 was discussed.

43. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2003 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

44. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

Following careful consideration of the management structure of the Harbour Office the County Council decided to separate the statutory and regulatory functions of the Harbour Authority from its strategic functions. A few months ago Mr A.G. Clatworthy was appointed as Harbour Master to undertake those regulatory functions and have a day to day presence on the river. By removing the post of Deputy Harbour Master it has been possible to create a new post without adding to the establishment.

The new post of Marine Director for the River Hamble was advertised and attracted over 80 high calibre applicants. Following a two stage selection process, the last of which involved key stakeholders, Commander David Evans was appointed as the Marine Director for the River Hamble, and it is hoped will be able to take up the post in early September.

David Evans has extensive relevant experience in management and strategic thinking with all the diplomatic and public relations skills that are needed to undertake this task. He also knows and loves the River Hamble so he will come into the job from a fully informed position.

The Chairman also announced that the Department for Transport had re-embarked on the review of the Municipal Ports and hoped to report to Ministers later in the year, the Chairman added that he was not optimistic that this timescale would be achieved.

The Governance of the River was presently being reviewed. The Department for Transport had finally resurrected its review of Municipal Ports and hoped, perhaps unrealistically, to report to Ministers later this year.

In conjunction with this review which would look at the national issues. Local issues would also need to be considered. The Harbour Authority's independent auditor had been asked to produce a discussion document, which would form the catalyst for the formal consultation process, which would commence this Autumn. The final report and recommendations should be available at the next meeting.

45. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

46. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Harbour Master (Item 5 in the Minute Book) summarising events and activities on the River from January 2004 to date.

The Harbour Master reported that three summer coxswains had been taken on to enable full cover on the water within the health and safety regulations.

A large established oak tree which had been uprooted and fallen into the River, blocking the channel to Curbridge, had been removed at no cost to the Harbour Authority. Seven boats had been broken into on mid-stream moorings and various items stolen. River users were advised to have their property post-coded, photographs to be taken of the moveable objects and equipment, and a very strong padlock supplied as a deterrent.

A report was to be made to the Executive Member's Group in July regarding the possibility of establishing a fishing boat jetty at Warsash.

The information gathered in the boat count in 2003 was obtained by aerial pictures in 2000 and was still regarded as being relevant in the marinas. Mr Middleton said that other harbours issued receipts or badges for dues which had been paid and he wished to encourage the Harbour Authority to issue receipts and such information to identify users of the River, especially long term users. Mr Middleton offered the help of the River Hamble Berth Holders' Association in this task.

Mr Knight requested that the moorings limits be reviewed every ten years as the circumstances limiting moorings were constantly changing. Mr Garner said that the RYA wished to support the allocation of 50% of the moorings allocations to the commercial sector but Mr Hall wished to revisit the decision. The Chairman said that the Marine Director would investigate these matters and report to the Executive Member's Group periodically, initially in early 2005.

The oil boom had been successfully deployed on the 2^nd June by OSRL, at no cost to the Harbour Authority.

Mr Middleton asked about a report which was to have been produced on CCTV, and was advised that this had been discussed by the January 2004 meeting of the Executive Member's Group. Mr Middleton requested information from a report produced by the Harbour Master.

The use of the Boat Scrubbers in the River was discussed, together with the implications of this method of cleaning boats in the River, as opposed to marinas where the resulting substances were contained and disposed of. The Environment Agency confirmed that their advice and guidance had been sought and that they were satisfied with this method of cleaning boats, which also occurred at Gosport with its attendant access to open waters.

Mr Hall sought information regarding a proposed jetty at Stone Pier Yard, which it was claimed projected into the River to gain access to deeper water, as the Yard had been prevented from dredging by regulation.

The current position regarding the M27 road bridge and drainage was reported. It was understood that the Highway Agency were currently undertaking a review of bridges and drainage systems in order to establish priorities for action. This was to be raised with the Highway Agency at the County Council's annual meeting with them which was to take place shortly.

Planning Consent charges were to be discussed by the Executive Member's Group in July 2004.

Phase 1 of the River Hamble Dredging Plan had been completed and responses were awaited from six boat yards before progress could be made with Phase 2.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

47. RIVER HAMBLE FINAL ACCOUNTS 2003/04

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book). The report presented the 2003/04 outturn figures for the period 1^st April 2003 to 31^st March 2004.

The accounts were split into Harbour Undertakings and Management of Moorings and the Visitors Partnership. The budgets were based on the revised budget formulated last December. As a result of the individual outturns the 2004/05 budget was to be reviewed and a revised version presented to the December 2004 Committee.

Individual budgets were controlled and maintained by the Harbour Master and his team. The team procured services that were required in line with the cash limit, and any major variations were to be agreed with the Treasurer first. A cost benefit analysis approach for new investment decisions was now available with a set process in place.

Broadly speaking expenditure budgets were underspent, and there was additional income from visitors. The accounting treatment for the main account had been amended but this had impacted on Reserves.

Harbour Undertakings and the Management of the Moorings

There had been an overall of £11,007 on expenditure. The main variations had been:-

· Employees - a small overspend mainly due to advertising costs for the Marine Director post.


· Premises - a net underspend mainly relating to a rebate from Fareham Borough Council and additional expenditure on fixtures and fittings.


· Transport - a small net underspend with savings on Repairs and Maintenance, boat Dory replacement and tools offset by an overspend on car leases.


The main overspend for office expenses had related to IT charges for HPSN (a new telephone system). The Environment Department would be paying for this additional charge and a transfer would take place in the current financial year (£4000) to take this expenditure out of the Harbour Authority's accounts.


The Public Jetties and Navigational Safety budget was a demand responsive budget. The underspend in Central Support Services mainly related to reduced use of the Chief Executive's legal services during the year. The net underspend on other services related to a saving on the SMS/Designated Person and unbudgeted expenditure on a preparatory draft for an audit of River moorings.


The net overspend on budgetary pressures related to bringing forward the governance review work and the IT system moving into the current year. The underspend on Oil Pollution Response Ltd related to savings on training costs.


The only expense under Port Waste Management Plan related to battery removal which should have been charged to Public Jetties and Navigational Safety. No expenditure had yet been incurred for the Estuary Management Plan. As reported in the Harbour Master's report the procurement of the CCTV system was ongoing, procurement being managed by the Property Building and Regulatory Service Department.

The position relating to income was more complicated due to the amendment of the accounting treatment, for example, income was built on a calendar year (2004), whilst expenditure related to the financial year beginning the 1^st April 2003 ending on the 31^st March 2004. This meant that income was not being accounted for in the relevant accounting period. The key issue was to amend the treatment of income so that the income related to the correct accounting period in the same way in which expenditure was treated. This was now a relevant adjustment due to more rigorous application of accounting standards in the public sector.

The background was that the local authority was bound by the Local Authority Statement of Recommended Practice, which was related to bringing public sector accounting more in line with UK accounting practice. Whilst the practice was acceptable in the past, accounting policies now meant that the Hamble's account needed to include a clause to include accruals. The County Treasurer had issued instructions that this policy should be implemented to amend the treatment of accounts. The impact on the 2003/04 accounts was that expenditure was only funded by one quarter's worth of income because the balance related to the financial year 2004/05. To fund the balancing expenditure required the deficit of £271,114 to be funded from the Reserve Account as a one off adjustment.

The background for Harbour Dues was as follows:


· The initial estimate for Harbour dues was £308,000


· Without any adjustment to the accounting treatment, £358,664 would have been collected. The adjustment related to a more accurate metreage from the Harbour Master (estimated 30913 metres at a rate of £9.96, actual metreage 34,200 metres).


· In line with the accounting treatment the 2003/04 accounts had been credited with one quarter's worth of income (£358,664 divided by 4 = £89,666. The rest related to 2004/05). This resulted in a shortfall of £218,334.


There was a similar process for Supervision Charges;


· The initial estimate for Supervision Charges was £89,800.


· Without any adjustment to the accounting treatment £88,564 would have been collected (a shortfall of £1,235 due to the wrong rate being charged by the Harbour Office (£8.22 as opposed to a revised rate of £8.51)).


· In line with the accounting treatment the 2003/04 accounts were credited with one quarter's worth of income (£88,564 divided by 4 = £22,141). The remainder related to 2004/05.


· The shortfall was therefore £67,659.


· Other variations brought the net deficit transferred to reserves to £271,114 (savings on expenditure £11,007, a net reduction on income of £282,121). This adjustment did not impact on the Visitor Centre Partnership.


· The impact on the reserve account brought it into a net deficit of £112,126. This deficit would need to be brought back into surplus and ways were currently being examined of what action was required. It had been agreed that this should not involve any additional income being collected over and above the agreed policy for income (inflation plus 1%).


Discussions were ongoing with the Crown Estate relating to the Partnership. For the first time the Visitor Centre Partnership had a surplus in a financial year.

The following questions were raised on the accounts.

Mr Garner sought information regarding the £112,126 deficit (paragraph 1.5) and whether this would be charged to future mooring holders. The Treasurer advised that this accounting may not affect Harbour Dues. The Chairman advised that the deficit of £112,126 would have to be resolved on the instruction of the District Auditor. It was suggested that the problem may have occurred as far back as 1969. The Executive Member's Group would look at the options for recovery of this money, but the Chairman reminded Members that future increases in Harbour Dues would be pegged to inflation plus 1% whilst he remained Chairman. Mr Middleton sought information regarding the supervision charge and how it was calculated and a performance specification. He was advised that the Executive Member's Group were to examine this.

Mr Elliston sought information regarding the oil pollution response plan and was advised that some one-off items had been included in that budget heading. Captain Capon reported that the Harbour Authority had instructed him to look at the need for a permanently stationed oil boom. He explained that the law now required the Harbour Authority contracted specialists to respond to spills. This was better than relying on the historic situation of having a permanent boom stationed at Hamble and Warsash. This boom had now been removed and the contracted specialists had practised deploying a boom across the mouth of the River.

Mr Clatworthy reported that he was planning ahead for the replacement of engines on two boats. A buy back arrangement had been negotiated for four engines, amounting to £8,000 per annum for annual engine replacement, which members fully supported.

Mr Middleton sought further information on Visitor income in connection with the Visitor Centre Partnership and wondered if income could be split to show the sources and mooring locations. He was advised that all aspects of the Partnership were under review.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

48. STRATEGIC PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENT ON THE RIVER HAMBLE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) summarising comments received in response to the discussion paper "Strategic Principles to Guide Development on the River Hamble". Mr Inder advised Members that there was strong support for the established planning framework, especially the two Borough Local Plans, and that a new style River Hamble Local Plan ought to be considered. Mr Middleton suggested that allocations for moorings be on an "as it arrives basis". The Chairman noted the point and advised Members that the County Council's views on mooring allocations were in accordance with their corporate objectives. Members wished to see the types of channel in the river clearly named for clarity as an aid to navigation.

Members commented on proposed amendments which had been produced following analysis of the consultation exercise and broadly supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee be advised that this Committee agrees that:

(i) the document "Strategic Principles to Guide Development on the River Hamble" be amended as proposed in this report, and adopted by the County Council as Harbour Authority;


(ii) the County Council discusses with the Borough Councils the feasibility of preparing a river-wide plan within the Local Development Frameworks; and


(iii) a scoping study for a comprehensive assessment of the river's capacity to accommodate moorings and vessels be reported to the next cycle of committees.

49. SOLENT EUROPEAN MARINE SITES MANAGEMENT SCHEME

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining the management scheme and the process followed in preparing it; outlining the involvement of the Harbour Authority and recommending that current management practices be maintained to ensure continued compliance with the Habitat Regulations.

Mr Inder reported that it was intended that the Management Scheme and comments by the relevant consultees would be presented to DEFRA by the end of June 2004. The management of activities by the Harbour Authority was considered adequate to comply with the Regulations. Mr Denton-Thompson raised the issue of algal bloom which was occurring in the Hamble. The Environment Agency agreed to give a written response to be circulated with the Minutes.


RESOLVED:

(i) That the recommendations contained within the report on the draft management scheme be supported;


(ii) That the draft Management Scheme be considered by the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee; and


(iii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that the document be approved.

50. URGENT MATTERS ARISING

Mr Moody asked the Treasurer how he had progressed with the financial analysis between Trust Port and Municipal Port. Captain Capon advised that the Treasurer's input for his Discussion Paper had been sought and any financial analysis incorporated in the report.

A question was raised on the status of the Bursledon Bridge launch slipways which had been signed as if it were on private property. The Harbour Master was to investigate and report back.

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