AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at The Warsash Maritime Centre on Monday, 10 October 2005.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Chairman:

p Councillor R. Ellis

Councillors:

p Mrs C. Bailey p G. Hockley

p D. Blampied p Roger H. Price J.P.

G. W. Davies- Dear p A.W. Rice, T.D.

p K. Evans p S.T.D. Woodward

Eastleigh Borough Council

p Councillor W.J. Pepper

Fareham Borough Council

Councillor T. Cartwright

Winchester City Council

p Councillor Mrs C. Sutton

Association of Hamble River Yacht Clubs

p J. Greensmith

Royal Yachting Association

p D. Alexander

British Marine Federation

p S. J. Bourne

Hamble River Boatyard and Marine Operators

p R.J. Saint

Associated British Ports

p M.J. Evans

Also Present:

Captain M. Capon, Marine Enforcement Ltd.

18. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

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 debate declare their interest, and having regards 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.

19. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 July 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

20. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications

21. DEPUTATIONS

In relation to item 7 d) concerning a planning application submitted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, the Committee received two deputation. The first from Mr Elliston of the Hamble River Sailing Club and the second from Mr Chitson of the Royal Air Force Yacht Club. As Mr Chitson was not on the electoral role for Hampshire the Chairman, with the concurrence of the Committee, suspended Standing Order 21 b. to allow him to speak. Both deputations referred to the lack of consultation undertaken by the Royal Southern Yacht club and the dangers that could result from the diversion of tenders should the application be implemented.

22. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 5 in the Minute Book) summarising the activities and events on the River Hamble from 9 July 2005. Specific attention was drawn to the problem of youths jumping from the A27 road bridge and from various pontoons. Officers were investigating possible measures that could be taken to reduce this problem in future, including the introduction of byelaws. An educational programme, to be taken into schools, was also being developed to raise awareness among children of the dangers posed both to themselves and to other river users by their actions. It was suggested that the programme could publicise local yachting clubs and advertise yachting as an attractive and more constructive alternative activity.

Members raised concerns that on a number of occasions the Police had not responded to incidents reported by the Harbour Master, this was not only a problem along the river but also in the surrounding towns and villages. It was therefore agreed that the Police be invited to attend a future meeting in order to answer the Committee's questions.

Further discussion was had regarding the recent fire on board a moored cruiser in Mercury Marina. It was confirmed that all marinas had to have suitable fire precautions in place in order to minimise risk and that in this case the emergency response plans had worked well.

Amongst other issues raised were actions taken against those tenders failing to show navigation lights, corrective measures taken following the six monthly Port Marine Safety Code Audit, and that, contrary to paragraph 6.3 of the report, the radar gun was taken on every patrol as a further deterrent to speeding vessels.

RESOLVED:

a. That the report be noted.

b. That the Police be invited to attend a future meeting in order to discuss how they could most effectively work with the Harbour Master.

23. ALTERNATIVES TO THE SUPERVISION CHARGE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out two proposed alternatives to supervision charges. Both options had been widely consulted upon, although the responses had been conflicting. Mr Alexander, Councillor Mrs Bailey and Councillor Woodward, as mooring holders and Mr Saint, as a marine operator on the river, declared an interest in this item.

There was a general consensus that there should be no change to the status quo, and that Supervision Charges should continue to be collected in their present form. However it was highlighted that for this to happen mid stream mooring holders should be informed of exactly what the charge was for. Officers reported that it may not be possible to produce this information as services provided by the charge were inextricably linked to other duties carried out by the Harbour Master under the Port Marine Safety Code. For example, the Code required the Harbour Authority to undertake routine patrols of the River, it was during these patrols that much of the supervision was undertaken and the appropriate actions taken where necessary. It was feared that should either of the proposed alternatives be implemented then it would lead to marina berth-holders contributing to the costs of services provided exclusively for the benefit of mid stream moorings.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be recommended to maintain supervision charges in their present format.

24. PLANNING AND CONSENTS

(a) EASTLANDS BOATYARD REFURBISHMENT (DRG NO 8790/3)

(b) UNIVERSAL MARINA - RELOCATION AND INSTALATION OF CONTINUOUS PONTOONING (DRG NO 8686/13)

(c) RIVERSIDE BOATYARD (FOULKES BOATYARD) REFURBISHMENT (DRG NO M2802/104

(d) ROYAL SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB - REFURBISHMENT OF MARINA

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) concerning four planning applications. Councillor Mrs Bailey and Mr Saint declared interests in this item as a mooring holder and marine operator respectively. Councillors Sutton and Pepper declared interests as Members of the Royal Southern Yacht Club.

The Harbour Master made the following comments concerning the content of this and future `planning and consents' reports:

1. When presenting or writing reports concerning applications for consents the Harbour Master reports only on the facts as presented. Notes are made of the effects any proposed development might have on navigational safety and the marine sites.

2. The Harbour Master does not recommend support or recommend the rejection of any proposed development unless it is detrimental to navigational safety or may cause damage to the marine sites.

3. The Harbour Master will consult with as many organisations and people as possible to gather information on any proposed development seeking consent, and any likely impact it may have before writing a report.

4. Should the Management Committee recommend to the Harbour Board that conditional consent be granted the Harbour Master may then supply a recommended list of conditions to be attached to the conditional consent.

Members were informed of a minor error within annex D of the report; the size of the extension beyond the original footprint of the Royal Southern Yacht Club stated in paragraph 6.4 (d) should have read 4.5 metres rather than 11 metres. The Committee felt that additional information was required regarding this application before a decision could be reached. In particular, that further consultation be undertaken by the Royal Southern Yacht Club and that the risk assessment contain additional details of the likely effects of the proposal on other river users.

It was agreed that, for the purposes of clarity, where a condition was to be placed on an application preventing an increased number of boats using a boatyard/marina, as in condition (ii) to each of the recommendations within the report, it should refer to ` the current allocation of vessels' rather than the `current level of vessels'.

With regard to the application concerning Foulkes Boatyard it was agreed that pressure should be placed on the applicant to clear his property on the eastern bank of the river, but that there was no need for this to be explicitly written into the conditions of the approval.

RESOLVED:

a) That, subject to the conditions specified in the report, the Committee have no major issues with Eastland Boatyard's application to refurbish its boatyard as set out in drawing number 8790/3, and that therefore, following the River Hamble Harbour Boards decision on 8 September 2005, consent be granted.

b) That, subject to the conditions specified in the report, the Committee have no major issues with Universal Marina's application to refurbish its boatyard as set out in drawing number 8686/13 and that therefore, following the River Hamble Harbour Boards decision on 8 September 2005, consent be granted.

c) That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised to grant conditional consent to the proposal of Riverside Boatyard (Foulkes Boatyard) to refurbish its boatyard as set out in drawing number M2802/014, subject to the condition specified in the report.

d) That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised to defer its decision, concerning the proposal of the Southern Royal Yacht Club to refurbish its marina, until the Management Committee has had an opportunity to consider the results of additional consultation, to be undertaken by the applicant, and further information regarding the effects of the proposal.

e) That in resolutions a) to c) above, the words `beyond the current level of vessels' in condition (ii) of the recommendation be replaced with `beyond the current allocation of vessels'.

25. APPROACHES TO MAIN CHANNEL - PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) proposing modifications to the layout of moorings, bouyage and navigation lights to improve the navigational safety of the channel.

While the proposal was welcomed, concerns were raised regarding the number of moorings which would be lost. Although alternatives were suggested, it was considered that for reasons of safety the six moorings on the approach to the main channel should be removed.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised to bid for funding in 2006/07 and instruct the Harbour Master to proceed with improvements to the approach to the main channel (as set out in the report).

26. BOAT CAPACITY OF THE RIVER HAMBLE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minute book) addressing the issues of boat capacity on the River Hamble. Councillor Mrs Bailey and Mr Saint declared interests in this item by virtue of being a mooring holder and marine operator respectively.

The Committee agreed that there were better ways of controlling capacity on the River Hamble than in terms of pure numbers, which took no account of the size of a vessel, could potentially stifle the consents process and was almost impossible to enforce. A number of potential alternatives were discussed including the use of the planning process alone to control the number of boats. It was agreed that further investigation was needed, but that it was not necessary to employ a consultant. Instead a working group would be established, Chaired by Mr Alexander and including Councillor Mrs Bailey, Councillor Pepper, Mr Saint and Mr Greensmith, to further consider how to control capacity on the river in the future. The group would report its findings back to the December meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That a working group be established to consider the case for conducting a review of, or potentially abolishing, the current boat capacity limit.

27. RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR DUES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining proposed changes to the regime and charges for Harbour Dues chargeable to leisure users of the River Hamble. Councillor Mrs Bailey, Councillor Woodward and Mr Alexander declared interests in this item as mooring holders on the River Hamble.

Members agreed that the changes to the way in which Harbour Dues are charged, as set out in the report, would be beneficial. There were, however, several questions regarding the practicalities of the proposal, particular reference being made to the method by which the Dues would be collected. It was agreed that, in addition to the discounts suggested in the report, a reduced rate should also be offered both to the Sea Scouts and for those boats owned by clubs primarily for the use of young people.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised of the Management Committee's view that the Harbour Dues regime be altered as set out in the report.

28. MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) highlighting a number of current issues on the River Hamble.

RESOLVED:

a) That the report be noted.

b) That a working group be established, constituted of Councillor Mrs Bailey, Councillor Pepper, Mr Saint and Mr Greensmith and Chaired by Mr Alexander, to produce an agreed set of definitions for the glossary of terms to be included in `Strategic Principles to Guide the Development on the River Hamble'.

29. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Committee confirmed that it did not consider the Harbour Master's membership of a number of yacht clubs a conflict of interest, and there was therefore no need for him to forgo those Memberships.

It was suggested that, in order to give Members an opportunity to consult other stakeholders, an agenda be published at least two weeks before Committee meetings (rather than 5 clear days as was the case at present). This would however result in problems in the preparation and accuracy of reports, it was therefore agreed that a forward plan of agenda items should be published so that Members would be aware of the content of future agendas.