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AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at the Roy Underdown Pavilion, Hamble-le-Rice on Monday 16 April 2007.

Also present:

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

113. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from John Greensmith (representative of the Association of Hamble River Yacht Clubs), Councillor D. Blampied, Captain P. Holliday (representative of Associated British Ports), Councillor A. W. Rice and Mr Tony Clatworthy (Harbour Master).

114. 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.

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

D. Alexander declared a personal interest as a member of Warsash Sailing Club.

115. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 January 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The following point was raised by D. Alexander in relation to minute 111. In point 1 of the resolution it was stated that the Environment Agency had requested not to be associated with the final report of the Glossary Working Group. Mr Alexander indicated that he had not been made aware of this, and that as Chairman of the Glossary Working Group he should have been informed if this was the case. Members noted that the Committee had been informed of the position of the Environment Agency at the meeting on 12 January by the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) who had since moved on to a new job. The Marine Director agreed to check with the Environment Agency what their position was.

116. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed Charles Herbert who had replaced Karen Everett as legal advisor to the Committee, as Karen Everett had taken maternity leave.

The Chairman informed the Committee that Karen Everett had had her baby, a boy she was calling Noah, who was born on 28 March weighing eight pounds eight ounces.

The Chairman welcomed Ray Blair, the new deputy representative on the Committee for Associated British Ports, who was deputising for Philip Holliday, the new main representative for Associated British Ports.

The Chairman then noted that the River Hamble Harbour Authority had returned to the Recreation and Heritage Department within the County Council, and was no longer under the Environment Department. In relation to this, he was pleased to welcome Yinnon Ezra, Head of the Recreation and Heritage Department, who was in attendance at the meeting. He indicated that John Tickle, Head of Countryside within the Recreation and Heritage Department, would be attending meetings in future, but was unable to attend on this occasion.

The Chairman also drew members attention to the fact that the River Hamble Harbour Master, Tony Clatworthy, was featured in the April 2007 edition of `The Hog'.

117. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations received.

118. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on activities, incidents and events on the River since January 2007.

The Marine Director introduced the report in the absence of the Harbour Master. He handed round to members an annex to the report (see Update to the Harbour Masters Report in the Minute book).

The Marine Director drew members attention to 4.14 regarding a yacht going missing from the River. He reported that the gentleman concerned was grateful for the help provided to him by the Harbour Master's office, although the boat had not been recovered. Members asked how frequently vessels were stolen from the River Hamble. The Marine Director indicated that it was rare for large vessels to be taken from the River and that the only other case he was aware of had been fifteen years ago. He went on to say that it was more common for small ribs/outboard boats to be stolen, with the Harbour Office being informed of around ten instances per year. He also reported that theft of aluminium spars was on the increase, and that it is suspected that this is due to the money to be made from scrap aluminium. He therefore recommended that River users don't leave aluminium spars on deck.

Members asked for an update on point 4.7 regarding bolts on the Fisherman's Jetty. The Marine Director confirmed that the contractor had replaced the bolts so there were now four instead of two. He indicated that he had not received an update yet on the investigation into the bolt that failed. He also reported that another point had been discovered where there were two bolts instead of four. However, he pointed out that a strong gale had been experienced recently, and the jetty had faired well, so this was encouraging that the structure was sound.

A member commented that ideally the Committee would like to see the number of incidents occurring on the River reduce. However it was noted that accidents do happen, and that inexperienced River users will have problems, and despite many reminders users continue to inadequately moor their vessels. The Marine Director reported that a letter had been sent to mooring holders recently reminding them about mooring securely. Members noted that it was best to double up mooring lines. The Marine Director also reported that he intends to publish an incident report on the Harbour Master's website, to raise awareness among River users of the hazards involved in using the River.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

119. HARBOUR AUTHORITY DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the long-term plans and aspirations of the River Hamble Harbour Authority.

The Marine Director introduced the report, and informed members that the new constitutional arrangements set up for the Harbour Authority two years ago required the Harbour Authority to produce a Strategic Plan. He stressed that this was a plan for the work of the Harbour Authority, not the River itself. He also noted that this was separate to the Estuary Management Plan which had been produced by the Hamble Estuary Partnership in 2003. The Marine Director indicated that this was a draft plan, and invited members to comment on whether they had any additions/amendments to propose.

Members suggested that it would be useful to include a paragraph within the plan to highlight the fact that the aim of the Harbour Authority was to maintain the River as a public service to enable people to enjoy it as a recreational facility. The Marine Director acknowledged that this would be a good point to include.

Regarding point 6.1 members asked for clarification regarding how the Harbour Authority could ensure that the Crown Estate maintained a range of moorings. The Marine Director reported that he and the Harbour Master were in communication with the Crown Estate on a regular basis, and encouraged them to be realistic in their management of moorings. He indicated that their suggestions had been taken on board.

On point 7 (viii) members indicated that it would be useful to point out that the Harbour Authority takes environmental considerations into account when considering granting works consents. The Marine Director agreed. For further clarification, the Marine Director pointed out that if the Harbour Board gives consent to an application, this does not mean it will get planning consent, however if the application is not given consent by the Board then it cannot go ahead, even if it does have planning permission. However, he re-iterated that the Board is only able to deny consent for statutory reasons (impact on navigational safety etc).

Members indicated that they felt it was an important aspect of the Harbour Authority's work to be vigilant regarding keeping affordable moorings available on the River.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee advises:

That the draft River Hamble Harbour Authority Strategic Plan be approved by the River Hamble Harbour Board, subject to the points outlined above.

120. CAPACITY OF THE RIVER HAMBLE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) regarding the current moorings capacity limit on the River Hamble and the suggestion to consider seeking a new way to determine capacity on the River.

The Marine Director reported that the current maximum number of moorings allowed on the River Hamble was 3261. He indicated that a capacity limit was imposed to help manage traffic on the River, to control the appearance of the River and to prevent over-crowding. This report was designed to be a starting point to initiate a review of how the capacity issue was dealt with. He drew members attention to the suggestion made in the report that it may be useful to calculate the number of boats that could be `underway' at any one time. He suggested the current mooring figure could go up or down, and that a way to judge what was appropriate was needed that was fit for purpose.

The Vice-Chairman indicated that the number of boats that could safely be on the River varied due to the state of the tide. He suggested that the number of moorings on the River was not a particularly useful variable on its own to judge capacity.

A member indicated that his recollection was that the original moorings maximum of 3261 was augmented by an allowance for up to 400 dinghies and small craft. He also recalled that when capacity was studied before, time lapse radar had been used to record traffic on the River over a period of time. It was suggested that it may be helpful to initiate a new study of this kind.

Members noted that to judge the capacity of the River it was important to take into account the amount of traffic on the River at peak times. It was also noted that the visual impact of the number of boats on the River when viewed from land was an important consideration. Members also noted that the number of moorings did not take into account the size of the boats moored, and that the size of boats had an impact on capacity.

Members agreed it was important to investigate the issue of capacity further, and therefore

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee advises:

(i) that the River Hamble Harbour Board agrees to initiate a programme to address the issues of the carrying capacity of the River Hamble, with a view to changing the existing limit into a form which is fully fit for purpose; and

(ii) that the River Hamble Harbour Board commissions a limited consultation process to ascertain best practice in this field, and to scope the requirement for an Appropriate Assessment.

121. HARBOUR AUTHORITY WORKS CONSENTS

- ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the administration procedures involved when the Harbour Authority considers works consents applications.

The Marine Director explained that the document `River Hamble Harbour Authority Works Consents Administration Procedure' was designed to make it clear to the public how the Harbour Authority handles works consents applications, and to provide a clear process for applicants for works of all scales.

Regarding point (ix) `Harbour Master and/or Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) consult as required with appropriate statutory and non-statutory consultees' the Marine Director clarified that at this stage consultation was only undertaken regarding the risk assessment and that opinions about the proposals as a whole were sought at a later stage. Members commented that it may be helpful to make the wording used more accessible when inviting people's views.

Members queried at what point an applicant needed to submit the fee for the processing of the application. The Marine Director indicated that applicants are invoiced at point (vii) `Plans measured and appropriate fee calculated, including payment for Notices to River Users' and that it would not be appropriate to charge the fee earlier in the process, as the fee was dependent on the size of the development, which could not be judged until this stage where the plans have been finalised.

The point was also raised that in 2 (iii) it is stated that the `latest date for formal applications to be 15 working days before next Management Committee meeting'. It was suggested that this did not allow much time for all the procedures outlined to be undertaken, and therefore that this deadline may need to be reviewed and extended.

The Head of the Recreation and Heritage Department suggested that it would be helpful to put in a paragraph about the fees charged to make this element of the process clearer. He also commented that it would be beneficial to add a flowchart with timescales to show the different stages in the process.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee advises:

That the document `Harbour Authority Works Consents - Administration Procedure' be approved by the River Hamble Harbour Board, subject to the points made above.

122. CONSENTS - STONE PIER YARD

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) regarding the application for works consent by Stone Pier Yard.

The Plan accompanying the report (DRG No. 8885/1A3) was circulated to members at the meeting (see attachment to Item 10 in the Minute Book). It was noted that this application constituted a smaller scale development than a previous application by Stone Pier Yard. The Marine Director drew members attention to the fact that the recommendation to grant consent included various conditions.

The Marine Director also indicated that the quote used in 6.3 (ii) `we fully support the application but any existing fore and aft moorings displaced by the project should be relocated with any costs born by the applicant and that these cheaper type moorings are not lost because of the project. Mooring on the outer pontoon should be restricted to maximise the use of the main fairway' was not a direct quotation but a precis of a letter sent to the Harbour Master's Office by John Selby (on behalf of the River Hamble Mooring Holders' Association). He proceeded to read out the letter in full. He confirmed that the cheaper moorings lost as a result of the works would be moved elsewhere at the same cost. He also indicated that a new risk assessment was not required in this case.

Members queried how the Harbour Master's Office would enforce the condition that berthing on the outer face of the marina be restricted to two boats at a time. The Marine Director confirmed that if Stone Pier Yard were observed to be in breach of this condition, the Harbour Master would contact them, and that such reminders were usually sufficient to ensure compliance.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Management Committee advises the River Hamble Harbour Board to grant Conditional Harbour Works Consent allowing Stone Pier Yard to proceed with the proposed Harbour Works referred in drawing DRG No.8885/1A3 dated January 2007, with the following conditions:

(i) Stone Pier Yard to establish and be responsible for continual maintenance of two vertical fixed green lights at the upstream end of the outer pontoon;

(ii) to avoid salmon migration times the works to be undertaken between 15 September 2007 and 31 March 2008. During that period the piling works must cease if notification is received from the Environment Agency notifying fish movement;

(iii) berthing on the outer face of the marina to be restricted to two boats at any one time;

(iv) Stone Pier Yard to ensure that any vessel taking up a dry-sailed berth displays a Harbour Dues sticker; and

(v) copies of all required Consents to be supplied to the Harbour Authority prior to commencement of the work.

123. CONSENTS - MERE HOUSE

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

124. UPDATED: DATES FOR MEETINGS IN 2007

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 12 in the Minute Book) regarding the dates of meetings of the River Hamble Harbour Board and River Hamble Harbour Management Committee for the remainder of 2007.

It was noted that the dates for the remaining meetings of the Management Committee for 2007 would be Monday 18 June and Tuesday 23 October.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.