Archived decisions

Contact: David Evans, tel 01489 576387 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report proposes a series of options for consideration by the River Hamble Harbour Board and Management Committee when determining how they wish to establish and maintain links with River Hamble stakeholders.

2. Corporate Strategy

2.1 This report supports Aims 1 to 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising Life Opportunities, Stewardship of the Environment, Achieving Economic Prosperity, Building Strong and Safe Communities, and Improving Services) by contributing to the discharge of Hampshire County Council's role as the River Hamble Harbour Authority.

3. Introduction

3.1 Under the new Governance arrangements for the River Hamble, the formal title and role of the previous Advisory Committee has been deleted. It was never intended that this would deny the opportunity for the many and varied stakeholders to voice their opinions about the river and its management, but rather that the best means of achieving this should be decided at the earliest opportunity by the new Harbour Board. This report sets out the decisions required and a number of possible options for meeting the requirement. It is intended to stimulate discussion by the Management Committee and Harbour Board before the Harbour Board decides on the way ahead.

4. Stakeholders

4.1 The Trust Ports Review provides some useful guidance on the importance of stakeholders. It describes two distinct tiers of stakeholders, as follows (slightly edited):

(i) Beneficiary stakeholders who are entitled to benefit from the use of the (Harbour's) facilities. These would include users of the Harbour who pay a commercial rate and others who derive a


direct benefit from the (Harbour) (employees, those with a direct commercial interest in the Harbour's operation, traders and their employees).

(ii) Non-beneficiary stakeholders representing the broad range of those with an indirect interest (but without the specific statutory entitlement of users) in the port and its accountable and effective operation (local authorities and the community at large, the regional economy, specific interest groups covering environmental and conservation issues amongst others).

4.2 It goes on to state that:

"It is the duty of the (Harbour Board), at all times, to strike a balance that fully represents the interest of all stakeholders, not just one group, in the light of the objectives of the (Harbour) and what constitutes the "common good" for all stakeholders and the (Harbour) itself. In achieving this it is essential that the needs and views of the non-beneficiary stakeholders are not overlooked or discounted."

4.3 With the above in mind, the beneficiary stakeholders of the River Hamble include:

(i) marina and boatyard operators and their Association;

(ii) local businesses (marine related);

(iii) British Marine Federation;

(iv) commercial visitors;

(v) ferry operators;

(vi) moorings contractors;

(vii) the Crown Estate;

(viii) emergency services (including Hamble Rescue and Sea Start);

(ix) sailing and motorboat schools;

(x) charter companies; and

(xi) riparian landowners.

4.4 The non-beneficiary stakeholders include:

(i) yacht and sailing clubs;

(ii) Royal Yachting Association (RYA);

(iii) Associations (Mooring Holders, Berth Holders, River Hamble Yacht Clubs);

(iv) non-marine related businesses;

(v) mooring and berth holders;

(vi) boat owners;

(vii) river users (not represented by Clubs and Associations);

(viii) Borough Councils;

(ix) Parish Councils;

(x) Residents' Associations;

(xi) Sea Scouts;

(xii) the general public;

(xiii) fishermen and anglers;

(xiv) birdwatchers;

(xv) ramblers;

(xvi) Trust Port Steering Group;

(xvii) English Nature;

(xviii) English Heritage;

(xix) Environment Agency;

(xx) Archaeological Trust;

(xxi) visiting yachtsmen;

(xxii) Solent Forum; and

(xxiii) Solent Protection Society.

4.5 Some are already represented on the Management Committee and it will be important to decide if they need additional representation as Stakeholders.

5. Decisions Required

5.1 The following decisions are required:

(i) What is the best means for the Harbour Board and Management Committee to establish and maintain links with River Users and Stakeholders?

(ii) If regular meetings are deemed appropriate, what form should they take?

5.2 Possible options for answering the two questions above (not necessarily mutually exclusive) include:

(i) a River Hamble Forum - open to all - possibly in the form of an `Annual General Meeting';

(ii) discrete advisory groups, up to three in number, dealing with recreational sailing, commercial activities and the environment, with some cross-over between groups if required to ensure a common approach;

(iii) a single appointed committee with members representing key groups of stakeholders, along the lines of the recently expired arrangement; or

(iv) ad hoc discussions with individual stakeholders (or groups of stakeholders) as and when required.

5.3 Who should be able to attend and speak at these meetings? Possible options include:

(i) no formal membership with no restriction on who may attend or speak;

(ii) representatives of all the various stakeholder groups who wish to be represented;

(iii) representatives of all the beneficiary stakeholders only; or

(iv) representatives of all the beneficiary stakeholders plus selected non-beneficiary stakeholders.

5.4 How often should meetings be held? Possible options include:

(i) once every two months (to coincide with Harbour Board);

(ii) once every three months (to coincide with the Management Committee);

(iii) once every six months (to coincide with Harbour Board and Management Committee);

(iv) annually (as an `Annual General Meeting'); or

(v) an ad hoc arrangement, meeting as required.

5.5 Should meetings should be open to the public? The requirement for openness would clearly indicate that they should, but there is an implication for the size of venue which might be required.

5.6 Who should chair the meetings? Possible options include:

(i) the Chairman of the Harbour Board;

(ii) the Chairman of the Management Committee;

(iii) a Member of the Harbour Board;

(iv) a Member of the Management Committee;

(v) the Marine Director; or

(vi) a Chairman elected by the stakeholders.

5.7 Who will provide (and pay for) democratic support, committee support and the hire of rooms for meetings (typically £50 to £150 per meeting, depending on the size of room required)? Possible options include:

(i) the River Hamble Harbour Authority (Hampshire County Council); or

(ii) the Harbour Office; or

(iii) the stakeholders.

5.8 Where should the meetings be held? Possible options include:

(i) Winchester (provided by Hampshire County Council); or

(ii) local to the River Hamble (options include Village Halls, Sailing Clubs, RYA Headquarters and Warsash Maritime Centre).

5.9 How will the views of the meeting be reported to the Management Committee and Harbour Board? Possible options include:

(i) Chairman of stakeholder meeting to make a written report to the Management Committee and Harbour Board;

(ii) Chairman of stakeholder meeting to make a verbal report to the Management Committee and Harbour Board; or

(iii) nominated stakeholder to make a verbal report to the Management Committee and Harbour Board.

5.10 What should the meetings be called? Possible options include:

(i) River Hamble Advisory Committee/Group/Forum;

(ii) River Hamble Stakeholders Committee/Group/Forum; or

(iii) River Hamble Consultative Committee/Group/Forum.

Recommendation

That the Management Committee debate this issue and make a recommendation on its preferred solution to the Harbour Board.

379/DE