AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at the Roy Underdown Pavilion, Hamble on 15 November, 2006

PRESENT

Also present:

Councillor J.V. Bryant, Chairman of River Hamble Harbour Board.

85 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Roger Price and Mr. Young.

86 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.

Councillor Pepper declared a personal interest as a member of Eastleigh Borough Council with particular regard to its planning functions on Items 9, 10 and 11 of the agenda (minutes 93, 94 and 95 refer) and he withdrew from the meeting during consideration of these items.

Mr. Alexander declared a personal interest as a mooring holder and a member of Warsash Sailing Club.

87 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 3 July, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

On Minute 75, Harbour Dues and Supervision Charges, it was reported that the Board had asked the Management Committee to look again at the differential rates which should be charged for the various types of moorings, and the committee endorsed the suggestion of the Chairman that the Working Group led by Councillor Woodward should be asked to investigate and report back.

88 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported some changes in membership following the resignation of Councillor Knight as Chairman of the Board. Councillor Bryant had been appointed Chairman of the Board; Councillor Keith Evans, formerly a management committee member, had been appointed to the vacant place on the Board; and Councillor Adrian Evans from Lymington had been appointed to the resultant vacant place on the Management Committee. The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from Hamble Parish Council asking for the opportunity to view plans of development proposals, and making a holding objection to the application for harbour works consent from Hamble Yacht Services (Item 10 - Minute 94). Objections to this item had also been received from the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association and the Solent Protection Society. The Chairman also reported concerns expressed by the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association relating to the ban on tenders at the replacement Harbour Master's jetty at Warsash (Item 13 - Minute 97 refers) and objecting to the proposed charges as premature until appropriate consultations with stakeholders had been carried out.

89 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations has been notified on this occasion.

90 REPORT OF ANNUAL FORUM WORKING GROUP

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the findings of the Working Group which had considered matters raised at the River Hamble Annual Forum held in April, 2006. The responses and actions set out in the report were generally welcomed and it was therefore

RESOLVED:

That the courses of action set out in paragraph 4 of the report be accepted and that the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised accordingly.

91 RIVER HAMBLE - LEASING OF CROWN ESTATE MOORINGS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) in response to a question raised about the possibility of the County Council as harbour authority taking a long lease on mid-stream piles and mooring sites from the Crown Estate. Sam Bourne thanked the Marine Director for the research carried out and asked that for clarification references in the report should refer to mid-stream mooring pile sites. There was general support for the proposition that it was not in the County Council's interests to take out a long-term lease.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised against taking out a long lease on any mooring sites or mooring pile sites on the River Hamble.

92 RIVER HAMBLE BUDGET REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment and County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the revised budget for 2006/07, the draft forward budget for 2007/08 and on proposed charges for 2008. Reference was made by members to the cost of reconstructing the Harbour Master's jetty, and the view was expressed that management committee members should have the opportunity to receive and comment on a cost and benefit appraisal of such development proposals before the Board committed itself to them. Members noted that there was expected to be a surplus of £21,000 on the budget and suggested that the aim should be to achieve a planned surplus each year which could be transferred to reserves as a means of providing for long-term asset replacement. Members also asked for the cost effectiveness of leasing rather than owning boats to be investigated. They also considered it might be worth exploring the option of commissioning a television programme or series on the River Hamble, and Councillor Hockley undertook to investigate and report back.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the River Hamble budget report be endorsed and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board for its consideration and approval.


(ii) That the Management Committee be given the opportunity to consider a cost and benefit appraisal of any scheme estimated beyond £50,000.


(iii) That it be agreed as a policy that the River Hamble Harbour Authority should aim to achieve a budget surplus which can then be added to reserves, as a means of achieving long-term planned asset replacement.


(iv) That the cost-effectiveness of leasing boats as opposed to purchasing them be investigated.

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At this point Councillor W.J. Pepper declared a personal interest as member of Eastleigh Borough Council and left the room during consideration of the items detailed in Minutes 93, 94 and 95 below.

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93 HARBOUR WORKS CONSENT APPLICATION - JETTY AT PARSONS PLOT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the application for installation of a jetty adjacent to "Parsons Plot" at Lands End, Bursledon. It was reported that, following consultations with the Environment Agency and Natural England, a condition should be imposed requiring the applicants to fund the provision a mitigating area of inter-tidal mudland elsewhere on the river to replace the area which would be lost as a result of constructing their proposed jetty.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised as follows:-

That conditional consent for harbour works be granted, allowing the occupant of "Parsons Plot" to proceed with the proposed plans to install a jetty referred to in the plans - Drawing No: 8845 entitled "New Pontoon Position" and dated July, 2006, with the following condition:

That the proposed application be granted harbour works consent following suitable arrangements for a mitigating area of inter-tidal mud to be allotted and restored in compensation, to be funded by the applicant.

94 HARBOUR WORKS CONSENT APPLICATION - HAMBLE YACHT SERVICES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the application by Hamble Yacht Services to extend their jetty and other associated works. The Chairman referred again to the correspondence received from Hamble Parish Council, the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association and the Solent Protection Society relating to this item. Members expressed concern about the precedent that might be set. With regard to supply of the plans to the Parish Council, arrangements would be made to deliver them direct to the parish offices. In the circumstances the committee decided to make no recommendation, but to invite the Board to make a decision after taking into account any views expressed by Hamble-Le-Rice Parish Council.

RESOLVED:

That no recommendation be made to the River Hamble Harbour Board as to whether to grant conditional consent for harbour works to Hamble Yacht Services, but that the Board be invited to make a decision after taking into account any views expressed by Hamble-Le-Rice Parish Council.

95 HARBOUR WORKS CONSENT APPLICATION - ALTERATIONS TO PONTOONING AT HAMBLE POINT MARINA

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the application to modify a pontoon as part of a proposed dry-stack launching facility at Hamble Point. An explanation was given of the means of operating the dry-stack system which enabled boats to be stored and berthed on dry land and then launched into the water when required.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised as follows:

That conditional consent for harbour works be granted, allowing Marina Developments Limited to proceed with the proposal to remove and modify the pontooning system at Hamble Point Marina referred to in the plans - 198.04 - dry-stack storage, scheme proposals, pontoon details July, 2006/Scale 1: 200 @ A3 : drawing SOL - 1973-SC02-001 dated 17^th August, 2006 entitled Hamble Point, with the following conditions:

(i) All vessels launched through the dry-stack facility to display a harbour dues sticker.


(ii) No double berthing to take place in the marina in connection with dry-stack launchings.


(iii) No increase in the number of moored vessels within the marina.

96 HARBOUR WORKS CONSENT APPLICATION - PILING AND PONTOONING OF HP PILES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the application by the Crown Estate to replace piles and install a continuous 180m pontoon. It was noted that these were known as the visitors piles and that the amended plans show no 20m access gap between piles HP9 and HP10.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised as follows:

That consent be granted for the harbour works, allowing the Crown Estate to proceed with the proposed plans to draw the HP piles, drive replacements and install a continuous 180m pontooning system as referred to on Drawing No. 6117/P/100 Revision B dated October, 2006, entitled General Arrangement, and that all copies of required consents are supplied to the Harbour Authority before the commencement of the works.

97 HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on activities, incidents and events on the river since 22 June, 2006. Concerns were expressed that there were often long waiting times for a response from the Emergency Services, particularly police and ambulance, when incidents occurred on the River Hamble; these concerns would be pursued with the relevant authorities and also with the Fareham Community Safety Group. The dredging and dismantling work on the harbour master's jetty had been completed and work was about to start on replacing the pontoons, with the entire scheme on time and on budget. There was some debate on the proposed changes to the mooring of tenders at the Harbour Master's jetty, and also at the Hamble public jetty. It was agreed that a consultation process would be required before advice could be given to the Harbour Board on the best way of managing tenders and preventing overcrowding and damage in the future. It was therefore

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised as follows:

(i) That, on an interim basis from 1 January, 2007, the mooring of tenders on the Harbour Master's jetty at Warsash and the public jetty at Hamble be governed by the following:


(a) Only tenders from boats berthed on the mid-stream visitors pontoon to be moored free of charge.


Pending the outcome of the public consultation process suggested below.


(ii) That the River Hamble Harbour Board establishes a public consultation process on the issues pertaining to the use of harbour authority jetties by tenders.


(iii) That the remainder of the Harbour Master's report be noted.

98 ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on a range of environmental issues including drainage for the M27 motorway bridge, streamlining coastal consent procedures; and water quality on the River Hamble. The Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) gave an outline of the initiatives which had been pursued in an attempt to make progress with the environmental problems identified.

RESOLVED:

That the environmental update report be noted, endorsed and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board for its consideration and approval.

99 RIVER HAMBLE SERVICE DELIVERY PLAN

This item was withdrawn by the Director of Environment.

100 MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 16 in the Minute Book) on various current issues.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board for its consideration and approval.

101 BOAT CAPACITY WORKING GROUP

The Committee considered the report of the Working Group's Chairman, Don Alexander (Item 17 in the Minute Book). Don Alexander gave an explanation of the rationale behind the Working Group's deliberations, and explained that their recommendations 2 and 3 had somehow been lost in transit.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised as follows:

(i) That the expense of a full boat survey would not be justified.


(ii) That the Harbour Office should continue to improve its collection of accurate data.


(iii) That the current maximum capacity of 3261 boats be retained.

102 GLOSSARY WORKING GROUP

The Committee considered the report of the Glossary Working Group's Chairman, Don Alexander (Item 18 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board be advised to include the Glossary of Terms attached in Appendix 1 to the report in the document "Strategic Principles to Guide the Development on the River Hamble".

103 DATES FOR MEETINGS IN 2007

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 19 in the Minute Book). It was noted that all River Hamble meetings, both Board and Management Committees, would be held on Fridays at 10.00 a.m. with the sole exception of the Management Committee scheduled for Monday 9 July, also at 10.00 a.m. The annual Stakeholders' meeting would be held on Tuesday 27 March, 2007 at 1930, at Hamble Community Sports College.

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