Item 5

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE held in the Chute Room, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester on Friday, 1 April 2005.

PRESENT

Hampshire County Council

Councillor K.B. Estlin.

River Hamble Mooring Holder's Association

Mr. P.S. Middleton

River Hamble Berth Holders Association

Mr. H. Knight

Association of Hamble River Yacht Clubs

Mr. J.B . Peddley

Hamble River Boatyard and Marina Owners

Mr. C. Moody

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology

Miss J.S. Satchell

Royal Yachting Association

Mr. R Garner

Crown Estate

Mr. N Jacobson

Hamble-Le-Rice Parish Council

Councillor R Elliston

Curdridge Parish Council

Councillor J.F. Mitchell

Fareham Borough Council - Warsash Ward

Councillor T.M. Cartwright

Bursledon Parish Council

Councillor W.B Foulkes

Also in attendance : Mr. M. Denton Thompson (Environment Dept). Capt. M Capon (Designated Person ); Mr. D. Evans ( Marine Director ); Mr. T Clatworthy (Harbour Master ). Miss E. Beagley (Assistant Harbour Master, (Environment)).

62 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

All Members who believe they have a personal or a personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare their personal 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. The declaration should be made at the time of the relevant debate.

There were no declarations of interest.

63 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2004 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon :

Minute 56 - Marine Director's Report

Mr. Denton-Thompson explained that the Visitor Centre had been in constant use by the Harbour Board and that the site had been a crucial aspect of the Harbour Authority's operations and this had never been adequately valued in cost benefit items. The financial liability for the rental would be covered by the County Council's capital receipts. Every effort was being made to market the letting of the Visitor Centre as soon as possible.

64 HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Harbour Master (Item 5 in the Minute Book) summarising activities on the River from 8 December 2004.

The Harbour Master reported that the cause of damage to a mooring from which the catamaran, Safari Blue, had drifted, had been compiled from correspondence from interested parties. It was agreed that the last 4 lines of paragraph 4.9 of the Harbour Master's Report be deleted.

The Port Marine Safety Code Audit, which was set out at Appendix 1 of the report, contained an action plan on how the points raised in the Appendix would be managed.

Mr. Hugh Knight sought information regarding the correct method of disposal of flares until such time as the Harbour Master was able to undertake this responsibility. The Harbour Master explained that the Harbour Authority anticipated being able to undertake this task from the middle of May. Councillor Foulkes explained that local Marine Chandlers would normally dispose of flares when new flares were purchased.

The CCTV system was in operation, but the Bursledon Bend camera would not pan, but was otherwise in operation. The Harbour Master intended to invite River users to inspect the CCTV system in operation shortly.

Mr. Hugh Knight requested further information regarding the use of a radar speed gun and its effectiveness when used in a marine environment. The Harbour Master explained that a radar gun was on loan from the Marine Police and Captain Capon explained that the radar gun would be used to corroborate witness statements when incidents occurred, and would not be the sole basis of evidence of incidents of alleged speeding. The Harbour Master explained the difference between a radar gun and a laser gun. The Harbour Master explained that a roster had been completed for the current summer season and that staff had volunteered to work hours up to midnight without negotiation of changes to pay and conditions. This was acknowledged with thanks by the Committee.

Mr. Hugh Knight sought clarification regarding which of the navigation channels should be used when yachts were racing in the vicinity of Warsash Sailing Club. The Harbour Master explained that he was in discussion with the Warsash Sailing Club to negotiate an agreement to have warning boats and to route vessels away from the area concerned and this would be done under control. A notice to Mariners would be issued once this had been clarified.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

65 MARINE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Marine Director ( Item 6 in the Minute Book ) on updating on progress on the projects and initiative outlined in the Marine Director's report dated 24 November 2004.

The Marine Director reported that he was endeavouring to define the term "visitor" around the interests of the Harbour Authority and identify options for a visitor strategy.



The Marine Director was researching the best practice of three other Harbour Authorities in his attempt to reach an equitable Harbour Dues charge or all river users, which it was hoped to introduce in 2006.

Mr. Hugh Knight sought information regarding the River capacity and the boat count. The Chairman explained that this was a task for the new Harbour Board to deal with. Offers to make an aerial survey of the River Hamble had come from a number of sources and it was explained that photographs were not necessarily the best way to achieve an accurate boat count. Mr. Denton-Thompson reported that the County Council was planning an aerial survey of the County and this aspect would be considered as part of that. Mr. Garner spoke about visitor moorings near Hamble and Bursledon as people wished to be close to these facilities and requested that this aspect also be considered.

The Marine Director was considering whether it would be possible to eliminate supervision charges by means of a graduated increase in Harbour Dues and thereby achieve a greater percentage of supervision charges.

In seeking to update the Byelaws, it was proposed to combine with other local harbours to seek a generic solution.

No firm solution had yet been reached for the Solent School of Yachting site. The Harbour Authority were determined to resolve this issue and were working with the letting agents where expressions of interest had been made. Miss Satchell requested that English Heritage be added to the visitor strategy scoping document which was being produced.

Reference was made to page 4 of the appendix which referred to unoccupied berths. The meeting was informed the marinas had lost £60,000 from visitor income over the past year and in previous years had been offering free berths to visitors. Mr. Garner felt that there was no encouragement for marina operators to tell the Harbour Master of absences by boats so that these might be re-let. The Marine Director explained the Harbour Authority had no power to control or allocate berths in marinas. Public moorings could be sub-let to visitors if the mooring holder notified the Harbour Authority beforehand.

RESOLVED :

That the report be noted.

66 ASSISTANT HARBOUR MASTER'S (ENVIRONMENT) REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) (Item 7 in the Minute Book ) summarising the activities and events regarding the environment of the river from November 2004.

The Dredging Plan Phase 2 was due to be completed and would soon be made electronically available on a secure, password protected website, due to be commercial nature of the document. This site might be hosted through the Harbour Authority but would require the agreement of all involved.

Information was sought regarding the possible threat of pollution from the M27 motorway bridge should an accident occur. The Chairman reminded Members that this matter was now taken up on a regular basis with the Highway Agency at meetings with the County Council, and this would continue to be progressed.

67 REPORT ON THE FUTURE GOVERNANCE OF THE RIVER HAMBLE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book ) on progress towards modernising the governance of the River Hamble. The new arrangements for the governance of the River Hamble were now at an advanced stage and most of the decisions were in place. It was stressed that under the new arrangements there was no intention of de-enfranchising stakeholders and River users. The new Harbour Board would have to decide how it linked to stakeholders and this would be considered at an early stage of the new harbour administration. Attention was drawn to paragraph 4.1 of the report which set out the steps required in order to implement the new arrangements. The Marine Director was to write to the Royal Yachting Association, the British Marine Federation and Natural England as part of the process. Mr. Denton-Thompson reminded Members that in line with County Council practice a review would be commenced on the new arrangements two years from the date on which the Harbour Board had been set up.

68 ANY OTHER RELEVANT BUSINESS

Mr. Denton-Thompson reported to Members on the issue of buildings being erected at the end of pontoons. It was agreed that following a submission to the Management Committee that the police might be added to the Strategic Guidelines. He proposed an addition to the Corporate Strategic document worded as follows:

"There is a general presumption against buildings or structures or pontoons or jetties, unless it can be demonstrated that the building or structure is essential to a commercial operation and that there is no sensible alternative location, and he scale and design of the structure do not detract from the safe use of the river or the character of the area. No objections were raised.

The Harbour Master reported on the Tsunami appeal. Monies raised had been sent directly to the Nai Yarn Moo Nung Fishing Association, Phuket, Thailand to enable to the village's fishing industry to be rebuilt. Over £6,000 had been collected which had helped to purchase boats and engines for the village of Nai Yarn in Thailand. Owing to the tax laws and, also ensure a secure audit trail was in place, the Harbour Office had joined with the Royal Thames Yacht Club as they had a Trust Fund in place.



Councillor Elliston requested better communications with stakeholders to inform them of developments and occurrences on the River. It was considered that a Notice to River Users might be issued from time to time and include all stakeholders.

Miss Satchell reported that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology were to launch a Maritime Archaeology Foreshore companion for the Hamble on 7 May 2005 (Low Tide Day) at Warsash.

69 COUNCILLOR K.B. ESTLIN

Mr. Hugh Knight said a few words on behalf of the Advisory Committee in appreciation of the work of Councillor Estlin, who had served on the Harbour Authority for 8 years and as Chairman for 5 years. The Chairman had completed the modernisation of the Hamble Authority and brought the River into the Twentieth Century. His stewardship of the environment; the strategic plan for the River Hamble and its governance had been much to his credit and he was warmly thanked for his years of service of which the River would be the beneficiary. Councillor Estlin was wished a long and happy retirement and the hope was expressed that he would return to the River as a boat owner in future years.

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