Archived decisions
Item 3
AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR BOARD held at Bursledon Village Hall on 15 December 2005
Hampshire County Council
p Councillor T.G. Knight (Chairman)
p Councillor J.V. Bryant p Councillor K. House
Independent Members
a Mr. T. Lovell
p Mr. C. Moody p Dr. S. Tomson
Marine Director
p Mr. D. Evans
Also Present:
Councillor Dr R.J. Ellis, Chairman of the Management Committee
39 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.
Personal interests were declared by Mr. C. Moody as shareholder of A.H. Moody & Son; and by Dr. S. Tomson as a member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
40 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 21 October, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
On Minute 32, alternatives to the supervision charge, it was noted that the level of financial discount on harbour dues would be reviewed by the Management Committee following detailed investigation by a working group. The Marine Director reported that he had notified all marinas, clubs and boatyards of the proposed changes to harbour dues and had spoken to associations, clubs and other groups of river users in order to publicise the changes in harbour dues envisaged.
41 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported that Hampshire County Council had been rated as a four star authority in its corporate performance assessment by the Audit Commission, with good prospects for further improvement in the provision of effective services to the public.
42 DEPUTATIONS
The Chief Executive reported that five deputations had been notified, but that three of them had already been received by the Management Committee and one of them was also out of time. The County Council's normal rules would not allow the same deputation to appear again on the same subject at another meeting within 6 months, but it was open to the Board to exercise their discretion to make an exception should they see fit. After discussion it was
RESOLVED:
That Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable the three repeat or late deputations to speak; and that in future formal deputations should be directed towards the meetings of the Board as decision maker.
_____________________
The Board then received deputations as follows:
Mr R. Elliston on behalf of Commodore C. Gillard, Hamble River Sailing Club - relating to Item 9, Planning and Consents application from Royal Southern Yacht Club (Minute 46).
Mr P.S. Middleton, Chairman of the River Hamble Mooring Holders' Association, on consultation and communication arrangements and also on the Royal Southern Yacht Club's development proposals.
Commodore J.B. Peddley, Royal Southern Yacht Club, on his club's development proposals.
Mr J.F. Mitchell, river user, on the Royal Southern Yacht Club's development proposals.
Commodore T. Saunderson, Royal Air Force Yacht Club, on the development proposals of their neighbours, the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
43 ALTERNATIVES TO THE SUPERVISION CHARGE
The Board considered the views of the Management Committee, who following the call-in of the Board's decision had requested a delay in implementation of the changes to the supervision charge to enable a working group to look at the issue in detail. The Board had before them the following details, set out as Item 6 in the Minute Book:-
(a) The Minute of the decision they had reached on 21 October 2005;
(b) The Minute of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee on 10 October relating to this item;
(c) The original report of the Director of Environment; and
(d) The draft Minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee's meeting on 6 December, in particular that relating to the supervision charge.
It was noted that the implementation of the changes approved by the Board was not proposed until 2007.
RESOLVED:
(a) That no charge be made to the Board's resolutions Minute 32(a) and (b).
(b) That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee be requested to set up their working group in January, with the aim of investigating alternative approaches to supervision charges and their interrelation with harbour dues; and to put forward recommendations for a better and more equitable solution to the Board for consideration.
44 HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT
The Board considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) summarising activities and events on the river since the Board's last meeting. The Board also had before them an update report by the Harbour Master (Item 7(x) in the Minute Book) which gave details of events which had happened over the past two months. With regard to development proposals along the river, concerns had been expressed about the information being published to inform interested parties of future applications for planning permission/Harbour Board consent. It was agreed that the Harbour Master would establish an e-mail group of potentially interested parties to publicise future requests for consent allowing interested parties to consider their views on any proposed development. This information would not be released until the applicant's consent had been obtained.
RESOLVED:
That the Harbour Master's report and the addendum thereto be noted.
45 RIVER HAMBLE SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN 2006/07
The Board considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) setting out a plan recommended for approval. Members were asked to forward to the Marine Director any further thoughts for possible inclusion.
RESOLVED:
That the River Hamble Service Delivery Plan 2006/07 be approved.
46 PLANNING AND CONSENTS
The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) concerning a consent/planning application submitted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in relation to the refurbishment of their pontoons. A letter from Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council, raising objections to the development proposed and requesting its rejection, was circulated and was taken into account by the Board. They also considered the points raised by the 5 deputations; and the views expressed by the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee at its meeting on 6 December, when it had recommended that the Royal Southern Yacht Club's plans to refurbish their pontoons should be refused on the grounds of adverse impact on the safety of other river users presented by the permanent closure of the outer access channel and the narrowing and occasional closure of the inner access channel. Councillor R. Ellis, Chairman of the Management Committee, attended and elaborated on that view, drawing attention to the need for proper consultation with all stakeholders in the interests of safety and amenity of all river users.
The Harbour Master explained that his report should have been updated to reflect the views expressed by the Management Committee, but there had been insufficient time between meetings for the full report to be re-written. However reference to the Management Committee Minutes had ensured the relevant points had been made to the Board. The Harbour Master confirmed that, notwithstanding the recommendation of the Management Committee, it was his professional view that conditional approval should be given.
The Board debated the issues in detail and in terms of safety were satisfied with the Harbour Master's risk assessment. They therefore concluded that the arguments for and against the development proposed related to amenity, access and ease of navigation for all river users. Other relevant issues were the specific access arrangements for the neighbouring RAF Yacht Club; and the existing right to close the inner access channel for periods of up to 28 days on request to the Harbour Master. The Board were also aware of the economic developments which the proposal would bring to the river and its wider community, since the proposal would allow the River Hamble to compete with other harbours for large, high profile regatta events. The Board noted the view in favour of the development expressed by the absent member, Tony Lovell.
RESOLVED:
That consideration of the Royal Southern Yacht Club's plans to refurbish their pontoons be deferred, to enable the applicants to formulate an alternative plan which would safeguard access to the RAF Yacht Club, taking into account possible waiver of the 28 day closure rights for the inner channel, with the aim of reaching a compromise which would meet both Clubs' aspirations; any such alternative plan ideally to come forward to the January meetings of the Management Committee and the Board.
47 REPLACEMENT OF THE HARBOUR MASTER'S JETTY AT WARSASH
The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on progress with the project to replace the Harbour Master's Jetty with associated works and dredging.
It was reported that the Management Committee supported either plan 3 or plan 3A in respect of this proposal.
RESOLVED:
That approval be given to the plans for the replacement of the Harbour Master's Jetty at Warsash on the basis of Plan 3, that Harbour Board works consent be granted and that funding for the project be made available from Crown Estate receipts.
48 A VISITOR STRATEGY FOR THE RIVER HAMBLE
The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the provision of facilities for visitors to the River and setting out a strategy for visitors. It was noted that this item was yet to be considered by the Management Committee at its January meeting.
RESOLVED:
That consideration of the visitor strategy be deferred to the Board's January meeting, to enable the views of the Management Committee to be taken into account.
49 MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES
The Board considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on various significant matters, notably strategic planning; bye-laws; and strategic principles to guide development.
RESOLVED:
That the report of the Marine Director be noted.
50 RIVER HAMBLE BUDGET REPORT - REVISED 2005/06 BUDGET AND FORWARD 2006/07 BUDGET
The Board considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) setting out the draft revised budget of the current year, the draft forward budget for 2006/07 and revised charges for 2007.
RESOLVED:
That the budget report be approved.
51 ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
The Board received and noted the report of the Chief Executive (Item 14 in the Minute Book).
52 DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
The Board noted their forward programme of meetings in 2006 as follows:
Friday 20 January at 10.00 am;
Friday 24 March at 10.00 am;
Friday 19 May at 10.00 am;
Friday 14 July at 10.00 am;
Friday 22 September at 10.00 am; and
Friday 24 November at 10.00 am.
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