Item 2

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at The Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble on Wednesday, 29 June 2005.

PRESENT

Hampshire County Council

Councillor R. Ellis (Chairman); Mrs. C. Bailey; D. Blampied; G. Davies-Dear;

K. Evans; G. Hockley; A.W. Rice, TD

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillor W.J. Pepper

Fareham Borough Council

Councillor T. Cartwright

Winchester City Council

Councillor Mrs. C. Sutton

Royal Yachting Association

D. Alexander

British Marine Federation

S.J. Bourne

Hamble River Boatyard and Marine Operators

Vacancy

Associated British Ports

S.C. Young

Also present

Councillor T.G. Knight, Executive Member for Environment - South Hampshire, and Chairman of the River Hamble Board.

Mr C Moody - Board Member

Captain M. Capon - Marine Enforcements Ltd.

1 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 is discussed. Members declared the following personal interests;

Mr. D. Alexander, Councillor Mrs. C. Bailey, and Councillor Mrs. C. Sutton - Mooring Holders.

Mr. D. Alexander, Mr. S. Bourne - Members of the Trust Ports Steering Group.

Councillor W.J. Pepper - Member of Hamble Parish Council

2 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the former River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 20 April 2005 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

3 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported on the new Constitution and means of governance for the River Hamble, with executive authority vested in the Board and advice on scrutiny and policy formulation provided by the Management Committee. The Board comprised County Councillors T. Knight (Chairman), J.V. Bryant and K. House, together with recently appointed independent Members, Mr. T. Lovell from Bursledon - recreational sailing; Mr. C. Moody from Sarisbury (already a member of the Management Committee - marine industry; and Mrs. S. Tomson from Hamble - environmental. In addition the Marine Director, Mr. D. Evans, was a non-voting member of the Board.

The Management Committee comprised County Councillors Mrs C. Bailey, D. Blampied, G. Davies-Dear, R. Ellis, K. Evans, G. Hockley, R. Price, A.W. Rice, TD and S.D.T. Woodward, together with representatives of the three riparian district councils, Eastleigh, Fareham and Winchester; representatives of marine industry, marina, recreational sailing and environmental interests. The local parish councils for Bursledon, Hamble, Botley and Curdridge, together with Warsash Residents Association, were notified of meetings, but did not have formal membership of the Committee.

4 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5 RIVER HAMBLE FINAL ACCOUNTS 2004/05

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the Final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ended 31 March 2005. The County Treasurer elaborated on the report and on the budgetary pressures experienced during the year. Particular attention was drawn by Members to the efforts being made to reduce the deficit on the Harbour Undertaking to zero over a 3 year period, and to reduce the deficit on the visitor centre partnership to zero by utilising Crown Estate receipts. In general terms the Committee were satisfied with the financial situation as presented in the final accounts and it was therefore

RESOLVED:

(a) That the report on Final Accounts 2004/05 be noted and submitted to the Harbour Board for approval.


(b) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Harbour Board

That the proposal to utilise part of the receipts from the Crown Estate to bring down the Visitor Centre Partnership's deficit reserve balance of £138,658 to zero.

6 HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising activities and events on the river from 20 April 2005 onwards. The Harbour Master gave further details of the incidents recorded in the report, including two which had occurred on 28 June which were being investigated in conjunction with the Police and HM Coastguard.

The Committee endorsed the pragmatic approach to risk assessment which had been agreed with the Warsash Sailing Club. Captain Capon explained to the Committee the way in which he advised the Harbour Authority should exercise its responsibilities to assess and manage risks by taking reasonable precautions.

With regard to Stone Pier Yard, it was reported that the County Council was still analysing objections and seeking legal advice, and would respond to Fareham Borough Council on the way forward. Members of the Management Committee asked for a copy of that response when it was formulated.

An explanation was given of the closed circuit television installation in place along the River, which was proving effective, although there were problems with one camera where continued efforts were being made to rectify technical problems. With regard to training, the Committee were informed the Harbour Authority staff received training to cope with eventualities such as rescues, life saving and other emergencies such as fires, without putting themselves or their own lives at risk. There was a programme of joint exercises with HM Coastguard, the RNLI and other emergency services, together with efforts to improve compatibility with their communications systems.

In conclusion the Committee endorsed the format of the report which they found very helpful.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that a copy of the County Council's response on Stone Pier Yard be forwarded to Members of the Committee when it is to hand.

7 MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book ) on current issues on the River Hamble. The Marine Director gave further details of the various items identified in his report. During discussion the Committee suggested that the visitor strategy should encompass the economic benefits generated by the River and its recreational/commercial aspects. There was some debate on the most equitable method of charging and the fairest way in which harbour dues and supervision charges might be reconciled for the future. Size of vessel was felt to be an important factor, and a report on charging policies was expected for the September meeting of the Committee. Members also expressed the view that the Hamble-Warsash ferry provided valuable local links and amenities, and hoped that the County Council with its public transport responsibilities could consider the ferry's finances and assist if need be to secure the retention of the service.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that economic benefits of the River should be taken into account as part of the visitor strategy.

8 LINKS WITH RIVER HAMBLE STAKEHOLDERS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book ) on possible options for determining how to establish and maintain links with River Hamble stakeholders. The Committee felt they needed more time to review the way forward and it was, therefore

RESOLVED :

That this item be deferred and given detailed consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

9 ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book ) giving details of various activities and events. Members expressed concerns at the likely impact on the River of accidents on / drainage from the M27 road bridge and any resultant pollution and it was

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that a report on levels of waste being discharged from the M27 into the River Hamble be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

10 ANNUAL HARBOUR BOARD DIARY

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on proposals for dealing with annual and recurring items of business for both the Management Committee and the Harbour Board. It was envisaged that the Board would meet six times a year and the Management Committee four times, with both meetings coinciding in June and December. Differing views were then expressed as to whether in September the Board should precede the Management Committee or vice-versa and discussions would continue to resolve this issue between the respective Chairmen. Regular monitoring of the budget was felt to be vitally important and it was agreed that the Marine Director's report to each meeting of the Board/Management Committee should include a section on any financial variances.

RESOLVED:

That the proposals for the pattern of meetings be agreed by the Management Committee and recommended to the Board on the basis set out in the report, and that if necessary an additional meeting of the Management Committee be held during the next month to consider outstanding items.

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Members of the Committee were invited to make arrangements to visit the Harbour Office and also to go out on patrol on the River, both of which were accepted as a valuable means of extending Members' knowledge and experience of the Harbour Authority's responsibilities.

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