Archived decisions

Contact: Emma Beagley, tel 01489 576 387 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises the activities and events regarding the environment of the River from April 2005.

2. Corporate Strategy

2.1 This report supports Aims 1 to 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising Life Opportunities, Stewardship of the Environment, Building Strong and Safe Communities and Improving Services) by contributing to the statutory duties entailed in the management of the River Hamble.

3. River Hamble Streamlined Consents Advisory Panel

3.1 At the last meeting of the River Hamble Streamlined Consents Advisory Panel on 7 June 2005 Kate Cullen, Clerk to Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council, and Councillor Bob Wright from Curdridge Parish Council took up the offer of the Panel to attend a one-off meeting aimed to show the attendees how the Panel operates and answer any questions regarding the Marine Consents process. This meeting was organised following the request by Eastleigh Borough Council to allow Parish Council Clerks to sit on the River Hamble Streamlined Consents Advisory Panel. This request was considered and declined by the Panel at the meeting on 24 January 2005. The one-off meeting was offered as the Panel recognised the need for education of parish councils on the Panel's operation, but also that the parish councils can help advise people who may seek to undertake works in the Marine environment and/or advise of the Panel's existence.

3.2 Both attendees found the meeting very informative and would take the information back to their Councils. One issue raised by the Parish Council representatives was that the name of the group can be very misleading, and the group will be considering this at the next meeting, if not before.

4. River Hamble Dredging Plan

4.1 The final Phase 2 document for the River Hamble Dredging Plan has been received by all who contributed. The invoice for the work from ABP mer has been received by the Harbour Office, and the Harbour Office has sought the agreed proportion of costs from those involved.

4.2 It is hoped this document will be hosted on a secure webpage through the Hampshire County Council system, but the agreement of the marina and boatyard operators involved for the document to be held in this way is still awaited.

4.3 The steering group and the contributing marinas and boatyards will now decide on the best way forward and work towards a dredging management plan for the River.

5. Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology, Foreshore Companion

5.1 The Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology launched its foreshore companion on 7 May 2005 at Warsash. The companion has been designed to promote the maritime heritage of the River and its production was supported by the Crown Estate Marine Stewardship Fund. Copies are to be made available at the Harbour Office for purchase or hire.

6. Hamble Estuary Management Plan Student Research Fund

6.1 At the last meeting of the River Hamble Estuary Management Plan Implementation Forum on 18 May 2005 the group received a presentation from Sandra Magee, a student from Portsmouth University, who undertook her final year dissertation `Metals in the Sediments of the River Hamble' in the area around the M27 bridge. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation and full copy of her project is available from the Harbour Office.

6.2 At the same meeting the group also heard from Jenny Hipsey, a Southampton Institute student, who undertook her final year dissertation `An evaluation of Maritime Leisure Conflicts - a case study of the River Hamble'. Jenny analysed the patrol log sheets as well as undertaking a survey of River users. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation and full copy of the project is available from the Harbour Office.

7. Student Work Experience Placement

7.1 Stuart Tautz, a second year student from Bournemouth University, is currently undertaking a five week work placement at the Harbour Office. To date Stuart has undertaken a comprehensive review of all mooring sites with pontoons, ensuring self-certification forms for all pontoons have been completed. He is also working towards ensuring records held for all properties with River frontages and/or associated moorings are up to date, and the development of a GIS layer positioning all mooring sites on the River. Stuart's placement ends on 24 June 2005.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

381/EB