Item 3

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Rope Walk, Hamble on Monday 3 July 2006.

Also present:

Councillor T.G. Knight, Chairman of River Hamble Harbour Board, Councillor J.V. Bryant, Vice Chairman of River Hamble Harbour Board, and Mr Rupert Boissier, future representative of Hamble River Boatyard and Marina Operators' Association.

70. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Bailey, Mr Alexander and Mr Young.

71. 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 was discussed.

Councillor Woodward declared a personal interest by virtue of being a berth holder in Swanwick Marina.

Mr Greensmith declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of the Association of River Hamble Yacht Clubs, a member of Royal Southern Yacht Club and a mooring holder.

Councillor Mrs Sutton declared a personal interest as a mooring holder and a member of Royal Southern Yacht Club.

Councillor Cartwright declared a personal interest as a member of Warsash Sailing Club.

72. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 May 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

73. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications received.

74. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations received.

75. HARBOUR DUES AND SUPERVISION CHARGES

The Committee considered the report of the Harbour Dues Working Group (Item 6 in the minute book) outlining the group's recommendations following its review of the scheme for the collection of Supervision Charges and Harbour Dues.

Councillor Woodward, Chairman of the Working Group, outlined the background of the working group and the approach it had taken to reach its conclusions. The Management Committee had called in the decision of the Board, made in October 2005, to subsume the Supervision Charges paid by mid-stream mooring holders into the Harbour Dues charges payable for that type of mooring. Following the call-in of its decision, the Board had requested that the Management Committee, at its meeting in January 2006, establish a working group to investigate alternative approaches to collecting Supervision Charges and their interrelation to Harbour Dues. It had been felt by the Management Committee that it would be appropriate for this group to also consider the issue of the payment of Harbour Dues, especially by those using canoes and kayaks.

The approach taken to hear representations was outlined. There had been a perceived lack of public consultation on the matter of Harbour Dues which had led to river users being suspicious of the new scheme. It was felt that there were lessons which could be learned when future decisions were taken to make changes to the scheme of charges.

The Working Group had drawn conclusions on a range of issues including: that Supervision Charges should be subsumed into a single system of Harbour Dues; and there should be an appropriate charge set for each type of mooring with no system of discounts or named supervision activities. It had also concluded that vessels without engines or sails which are being rowed or paddled should be exempt from the payment of Harbour Dues and that all current exemptions should continue to apply. The Working Group also recommended that any changes adopted by the Board should be given widespread publicity.

The Chairman thanked the Working Group and its Chairman for the prompt and thorough job it had performed. It was clarified that the Working Group was not proposing changing the levels of charges paid by mooring and berth holders, but was recommending that the previous Supervision Charges paid by midstream mooring holders be subsumed into Harbour Dues. There would then be two rates of Harbour Dues, one rate for the midstream mooring holders, who had previously paid Supervision Charges and another rate for all other berth holders. This would have the effect of making no change to the amount payable for each type of berth or mooring.

It was suggested that the scheme could be reviewed after it had been in place for a year to consider whether the cost of collecting Harbour Dues from some types of river users outweighed the income obtained. It was viewed by some Members that those river users in canoes and kayaks were an isolated group which felt it had not been sufficiently informed about the changes to the scheme. It was suggested that the Management Committee should review the frequency and format of public forum meetings and consider the value for money provided in light of the high cost of holding such meetings.

RESOLVED

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the River Hamble Harbour Board to adopt the changes proposed by the Harbour Dues Working Group.

76. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the minute book) summarising the activities and events on the river since its last meeting. A supplementary annex (Item 7x in the minute book) was circulated giving details of the most recent events on the river. It was confirmed that the dumper truck which had slipped over the sea wall was at Universal Marina, not at Mercury Marina. The Port Marine Safety Code audit report had now been received by the Harbour Master.

It had been arranged for the Harbour Master to visit three local schools before the end of term to highlight to young people the dangers of jumping into and swimming in the river. Two small keelboats had been arrested for the non-payment of Harbour Dues and their owners had subsequently paid the charges. Members were informed that Fareham Borough Council had given approval for an application to be made to Government to enact a bye-law prohibiting jumping from the A27 road bridge into the river. This would give the police powers to prosecute those individuals who did so. Eastleigh Borough Council was yet to formally consider this matter.

77. ANNUAL REPORT OF ACHIEVEMENT AGAINST SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN AND ACTION PLAN

The Committee considered and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the minute book) outlining the current status of Harbour Authority tasks and actions set out in the 2005/06 Service Delivery Plan. It was explained that this Delivery Plan had been an experimental plan and had preceded the one approved by the Board in December 2005. It had been considered appropriate to report on the progress of the Harbour Authority against the plan.

78. TWO YEARLY NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY UPDATE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the minute book) proposing improvements to navigational safety measures on the river based on the risk based system recommended in the Port Marine Safety Code. A wide ranging survey had been conducted and all responses were included in the report.

It was not considered necessary or value for money to place navigational marks in the area of the Upper Hamble. A report would be presented to the next meeting of the Management Committee on the issue of staffing levels. Sponsorship from local businesses had been obtained in order to fund the publication of a leaflet to be circulated to all river users giving details on issues of navigational safety, the environment of the river and sites of archaeological and historic importance. This would also promote awareness of the speed limit on the river and provide contact details for different services. It was suggested that the leaflet could be published on the website for ease of access.

RESOLVED

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the River Hamble Harbour Board that the Harbour Master be authorised to carry out procedures and actions detailed in the report and appendices.

79. RIVER HAMBLE FINAL ACCOUNTS 2005/06 REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the minute book) presenting the final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ending 31 March 2006. The accounts showed a small surplus which was in addition to the surplus required to meet the first year of the recovery plan to repay the previous years' deficit. The Visitor Partnership had been terminated and would therefore not appear in future accounting reports. The capital receipts reserve had been earmarked mainly for the new Harbour Master's jetty with the remainder to be spent on vessels and other river-based assets.

RESOLVED

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the River Hamble Harbour Board that the final accounts for the year ending 31 March 2006 be approved.

80. MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES

The Committee considered and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the minute book) outlining the issues currently of importance to the management of the river. The Municipal Ports Review, which had been launched by the Secretary of State for Transport, made recommendations on how such Ports should be governed. The Harbour Authority had already implemented many of the procedures and actions recommended. The review also highlighted the importance of recognising that such Ports were primarily areas of commercial activity and should not be treated as a service. It was hoped that the Harbour Authority would be in a position to apply for `Beacon Status' if such a mark was established for Municipal Ports.

The Department for Transport's Ports Policy Review consultation had been launched and was focussing particularly on cargo and passenger ports. However, it was possible that legislation passed as an outcome of the consultation could affect all ports, even leisure ports such as the River Hamble. It was therefore considered important that the Harbour Authority responded to the consultation. The Marine Director would be drafting a response which would be circulated to Members of the Management Committee and Board for comments before the final response was approved by the Chairman of the Board in time for submission by the deadline of 1 September 2006.

The financial situation was as expected for so early in the financial year and spending was broadly in line with income. In response to a Member's question it was confirmed that collection of visitors' fees was in line with expectations based on previous years. Despite reducing the number of visitors' berths, full capacity had not been reached on any occasion. There had been some comments from visitors on the lack of facilities provided for such berths. Previous years' income from dry-sailed boats had been surpassed. It would be possible to provide more detailed financial information later in the financial year.

81. ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Committee considered and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the minute book) summarising activities and events regarding the environment of the river since February 2006. Following the disposal of the barge `Tim' a request had been received from Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology that they be informed before such projects in the future. This would provide the opportunity for surveys to take place and any evidence of archaeological or historic significance to be gathered prior to disposal. It was highlighted that there were a large number of sites yet to be surveyed to establish whether they were of archaeological or historic importance.

The issue of the disposal of pyrotechnics was raised by a Member. It was possible that harbour authorities, marinas or other institutions could be required, in the future, to provide facilities for the disposal of out of date pyrotechnics. However, it was noted that the Harbour Master's office had neither the space nor the infrastructure to provide such a facility.

82. RIVER HAMBLE ANNUAL FORUM

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the minute book) outlining suggested answers to questions raised by members of the public at the River Hamble Annual Forum and presenting the notes of the Forum. It was highlighted that responses had been provided in the report only to those direct questions asked at the forum. The notes of the forum contained further points raised by the speakers which, it was suggested, the Management Committee might wish to consider how to address.

There had been power supply problems with the CCTV camera at Bursledon Bend. There would inevitably be failures of equipment but it was hoped that the issues with the camera would be resolved. It was emphasised that, when consultation took place, it was not possible to please all people all the time. The purpose of stickers issued for Harbour Dues was outlined, this was to bring to the attention of staff those boats which had not paid their Harbour Dues and were therefore not displaying a sticker.

It was highlighted by a Member that, with modern information technology, it was not necessary to undergo the expensive task of having aerial photographs taken of the river in order to count boats or monitor hydrological movements. On the issue of the boat capacity limit, it was noted that this referred to the number of moorings on the river as opposed to the actual number of boats. An issue which would need addressing in the future was whether to include dry-sailed boats in the boat capacity limit as, on busy days on the river, these had an effect on the traffic levels.

RESOLVED

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the River Hamble Harbour Board that the wording of the answers, as set out in the report, be approved and published.

83. ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDAS

The Committee noted the report of the Chief Executive (Item 14 in the minute book) on items for future meetings. The Committee was advised that an Environmental Update would be submitted to the next meeting in November 2006 focussing particularly on the Rural Pathfinder project and M27 road bridge.

As a result of suggestions that the Committee should seek to address those issues raised by speakers at the River Hamble Forum in April 2006, a working group was established to consider the issues. It was noted that the issue of Harbour Dues had already been addressed by the Harbour Dues Working Group. Therefore the remit of this group would be to consider the remaining issues raised by speakers at the River Hamble Forum in April 2006 and to make recommendations to the Management Committee as appropriate at its next meeting. This working group would comprise the same Members as the Harbour Dues Working Group: Councillor Woodward, Councillor Mrs Sutton, Councillor Cartwright, Mr Alexander and, in place of Mr Saint, Mr Boissier.

In light of his resignation from the Committee, the Chairman thanked Mr Dick Saint for serving as a Member and wished him well in his retirement. Mr Boissier was welcomed as the new representative on the Committee of the Hamble River Boatyard and Marina Operators' Association.

84. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was noted that the next meeting would take place at 2.00 pm on Wednesday 15 November 2006, venue to be confirmed.