AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

held at Bursledon Village Hall, Bursledon on Friday 2 November 2007.

Also present:

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

135. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T. M. Cartwright,

G. W. Davies-Dear, G. M. Hockley and D. C. S. Swanbrow.

136. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members who believe they have a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare their personal interest and having regard to the circumstances described in 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's

Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code.

The declaration should be made at the time of the relevant debate.

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 Member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club and a mooring holder.

Mr Alexander declared a personal interest as a Member of the Warsash Sailing Club.

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

137. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 June 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

In relation to Minute 134, Mr Bourne raised the point that, officially, there is no such thing as The Yacht Harbours Association formula for assessing Harbour Dues on the basis of pontoon length.

138. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's Communications.

139. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations received.

140. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

(Item 5 in the Minute Book) on activities, incidents and events on the River since

June 2007. The Harbour Master handed round to Members an annex to the report

(see Update to the Harbour Masters Report in the Minute book). He went through

the report and answered any queries Members had regarding the incidents that had occurred and highlighted the following points.

Paragraph 4.50 - it was noted that the fuel jetty at Stone Pier Yard would be replaced.

Paragraph 4.58 - Mr Greensmith conveyed his thanks on behalf of the Royal Southern Yacht Club for assisting with the incident.

Paragraph 4.60 - it was noted that the incident would be dealt with by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the Maritime Coastguard Agency.

Members noted that the port hand pile at Lands End would remain in situ and the starboard pile would be moved closer to the edge of the main channel.

In relation to the supplementary report, the Harbour Master advised that Yachts with engine failures were towed free of charge for safety reasons to the nearest jetty. If further assistance was required a charge of £40 plus Vat was made and this was in line with the commercial operators in the area. Summer 2007 had seen an increase in the number of engine failures possibly due to poor engine maintenance.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

141. ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

(Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising the activities and events relating to the environment of the River from May 2007, notably the River Hamble Oil Contingency Plan; the arrangements for a meeting of the Hamble Estuary partnership as a means of involving environmental groups; the port waste management plan and student placement.

The Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) reported that a statutory duty existed for

a River Hamble Harbour Oil Spill Contingency Plan and an exercise had been held on

24 September 2007 which had proved successful for local organisations and engagement with local residents.

Members noted that information on the new Recycling Scheme initiative `Get On board and Recycle' would be detailed on the River Hamble Harbour Authority website.

The Harbour Master reported that the containers for disposal of oil, oil filters and oily rags had been moved to a new site at Stone Pier Yard. Signs would be posted to advise users of this. Problems had also been experienced recently with local residents and commercial operators in the area using the Harbour Authority's trade waste bins. The number of bins has been reduced to one, which has been re-sited closer to the Harbour office in an effort to reduce the problem.

RESOLVED:

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

142. RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR AUTHORITY - BUSINESS PLAN 2008/09

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

(Item 7 in the Minute Book) on proposals for a Business Plan to guide management

of the River for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009.

The Marine Director invited comments from the Management Committee which would be considered by the Board and he was willing to accept input by email in the next couple of weeks.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the report and advises that it should be approved by the River Hamble Harbour Board.

143. GOVERNANCE REVIEW - OUTCOMES REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage and the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the outcomes of the independent review commissioned into the governance of the River Hamble.

The Chairman advised that he wished to maintain the policy advice and scrutiny role of the Management Committee.

The Vice-Chairman considered that the proposal for a new Consultative Committee was a potential unnecessary duplication of bodies and that the Management Committee should look more closely at the provisions of the Harbour Revision Order in an effort to develop more streamlined arrangements.

Members noted that the servicing arrangements for meetings concerning the River Hamble would be supported within the existing arrangements, the frequency of meetings adjusted accordingly and that the Consultative Committee might replace the current Annual Forum.

Mr S Bourne indicated that he felt that the Chairman of the River Hamble Board should be an independent appointee and not a Member of the County Council.

The Head of Legal Practice welcomed the Vice-Chairman's invitation to advise further as to the requirements of the current Harbour Revision Order in relation to governance. He explained that the Order provides for the Management Committee to be a sub-committee of the committee of the Council (currently the Harbour Board) charged with fulfilling the powers, functions and obligations of the Harbour Authority. The role of the Management Committee was therefore advisory, not executive. Further the Order requires that a majority of the membership of the Management Committee be County Councillors. This meant that, if the range of stakeholders proposed for the Consultative Committee were to be appointed Members of the Management Committee, the Management Committee may become unwieldy in size. The next report on this matter for consideration of Members would include the further advice requested.

The Director of Recreation and Heritage advised that each Member of the Management Committee would be contacted and invited to comment in detail on the proposals. Members considered that a special meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee should be held to discuss in detail the proposed changes to the governance arrangements.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee should convene a special meeting to further discuss the proposed changes to the governance arrangements after the extent of the permitted variation within the existing Harbour Order is investigated and defined.

144. DATE FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Committee noted the schedule of meetings for the Management Committee currently planned for 2008 as follows:

4 January; 25 April; 20 June and 24 October. All Fridays at 10am.