Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

River Hamble Harbour Board

23 November 2007

River Hamble Harbour Authority - Business Plan 2008/09

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Item 10

Contact: David Evans, tel 01489 576387 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The attached draft Business Plan covers the work of the River Hamble Harbour Authority for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009.

2. Recommendation

2.1 That the River Hamble Harbour Board approves the River Hamble Harbour Authority Business Plan for 2008-2009.

3. Background

3.1 The appendix to this report sets out the draft Business Plan for the provision of services and facilities by the River Hamble Harbour Authority during 2008-2009. It follows from, and supports, the Strategic Plan for the Harbour Authority and, when finalised and approved, will be used to inform the budget proposals for 2008/09.

4. Impact Assessments

4.1 This report covers the provision of a wide range of services and facilities by the Harbour Authority. Full equalities impact assessments for the delivery of the Port Marine Safety Code; dealing with visitors and general enquiries; and the management of moorings have already been prepared.

5. Conclusion

5.1 This Business Plan is an essential tool for the management of the River Hamble during the forthcoming year and requires approval by the Harbour Board for that reason.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

 

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

 

NB the list excludes:

 

1.

Published works.

 

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

None.

  

APPENDIX

DRAFT

River Hamble Harbour Authority

Business Plan 2008-2009

(as approved by the River Hamble Harbour board on 23rd November 2007)

1. Introduction

1.1 This Business Plan covers the work of Hampshire County Council in its role as the River Hamble Harbour Authority for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 and provides short term detail in support of the longer term Strategic Plan.

2. Mission

2.1 The Harbour Authority's Mission Statement is set out in the Strategic Plan.

                  "To ensure that the harbour is operated safely and efficiently, so as to safeguard its users, the public and the environment, both now and in the future. It is committed within its powers to fulfilling all its duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner, so that the Hamble is accessible and enjoyable for all."

2.2 The challenge to be addressed in this Business Plan is to deliver the Mission, along with the statutory functions of the Harbour Authority, within the financial resources available in-year.

3. Scope of Activities and Services

3.1 The activities of the Harbour Authority include:

                  (i) safety monitoring and management;

                  (ii) environmental monitoring and protection;

                  (iii) ensuring compliance with the Collision Regulations, Bye-Laws and Harbour Master's Directions;

                  (iv) collection of Harbour Dues;

                  (v) management of mid-stream moorings and the moorings waiting list (on behalf of the Crown Estate);

                  (vi) administration of waterborne visitors to the River;

                  (vii) processing of applications for developments which require Harbour Authority works consent, in accordance with the agreed Works Consent process;

                  (viii) the encouragement of appropriate commercial development; and

                  (ix) support for recreational boating.

4. Legislation and guidance

4.1 The Harbour Authority currently operates within the following legislation and guidance:

                  (i) the legislation contained in the Southampton Harbour Act (1949) and Harbour Revision Order (1969) (as amended in 1982 and 1989). The River Hamble operates as a Municipal Port under the auspices of Hampshire County Council as the Harbour Authority;

                  (ii) The Port Marine Safety Code (2000);

                  (iii) relevant environmental legislation;

                  (iv) The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974);

                  (v) planning policy constraints imposed by the extant Eastleigh Borough Council and Fareham Borough Council Local Plans.

                  (vi) The Estuary Management Plan;

                  (viii) a budget based on being a self-funding business unit where annual expenditure and income must match, such that increases in Harbour Dues and Visitor Fees will be no higher than required to fund the essential in- year and long-term activities of the Harbour Authority; and

                  (vii) equalities legislation.

5. Objectives and Actions

                  The long-term strategic objectives of the Harbour Authority give rise to the following actions for 2008-2009:

5.1 Governance

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to governing the River Hamble in compliance with the Department for Transport's `Municipal Ports Review' by:

                  (i) implementing the recommendations developed as a result of the Haskoning governance review. as approved by the County Council.

5.2 Navigational Safety

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to making the Port Marine Safety Code the central pillar of everything which the Harbour Authority and its staff does to ensure the safety of all those who use and work in the harbour by:

                  (i) maintaining and, where appropriate, updating navigational marks and lights to facilitate safe navigation in the harbour and its approaches, and safeguard the navigational access to and from the harbour;

    (ii) maintaining a presence on the water through regular patrols and monitoring the activities of all those who use the harbour, ensuring that the law and bye-laws are enforced when appropriate and encouraging people to use the River safely and responsibly;

                  (iii) conducting regular (bi-annual) independent audits of the safety regime on the River;

                  (iv) administering the issue of commercial boat and boatman's licences on behalf of Eastleigh Borough Council;

                  (v) enhancing the availability and quality of safety information for River users by use of publications, notice boards and signs;

                  (vi) seeking every opportunity to improve and enhance safety by ensuring that all risks are identified and managed to `as low as reasonably practicable'; and

                  (vii) encouraging the Department for Transport to seek ministerial approval for Bye-Law making powers for the River to be delegated to the Harbour Authority and ensuring that Bye-Laws are up-to-date and fit for purpose.

5.3 Environment

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to discharge its responsibilities under the Habitats Regulations and all other relevant environmental legislation through conserving the environment and maintaining approved pollution prevention and nature conservation measures by:

                  (i) managing, maintaining and, where possible, enhancing the environment of the River, in accordance with current environmental legislation;

                  (ii) continuing statutory tasks for the stewardship and management of the environment;

                  (iii) maintaining an oil spill response plan and appropriate Tier 1 (immediate response) equipment;

                  (iv) maintaining a port waste management plan and providing the appropriate reception and disposal facilities, and;

                  (v) identifying environmental research opportunities and providing support and funding in appropriate cases.

5.4 Public Relations and Communication

                  The Harbour Authority wishes to enhance the public perception of the Harbour Authority through building and maintaining the confidence of river users and other interested parties by informing them of progress and achievements by:

                  (i) working to improve relations with River user groups, yacht clubs and individuals by participation in meetings, provision of information and personal contact;

                  (ii) informing River users and other interested parties about the Harbour Authority's aspirations, strategic planning, financial management and business planning by publishing information whenever possible;

                  (iii) improving the quality and quantity of information available to River users and other members of the public about the activities of the Harbour Authority by means of press releases, input to the River Hamble Directory and greater use of the web-site and the Notices to River Users distribution list; and

                  (iv) improving the quality and corporate image of signs and notices on the River by a rolling programme of replacement and improvement.

5.5 The Crown Estate

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to maintaining a productive relationship with the Crown Estate and its agents by:

                  (i) fulfilling the terms of the Management Agreement with the Crown Estate;

                  (ii) conducting regular formal and informal meetings to monitor performance and consider future developments and improvements;

                  (iii) working with the Crown Estate to ensure appropriate investment in its mooring assets and the River as a whole; and

                  (iv) working with the Crown Estate to provide and maintain an appropriate range of mooring types and prices.

5.6 Moorings

                  The Harbour Authority will continue to manage the mid-stream moorings efficiently and fairly, on behalf of the Crown Estate, by:

                  (i) managing the moorings waiting list on behalf of the Crown Estate;

                  (ii) managing sub-let moorings on behalf of the Crown Estate;

                  (iii) collecting Mooring Licence fees;

                  (iv) managing mooring holders affected by mooring maintenance work; and

                  (v) dealing with customer questions and complaints.

5.7 Climate Change

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to being pro-active in identifying the impact of climate change on the River by:

                  (i) conducting routine monitoring of the river for effects attributable to sea level rise; and

                  (ii) ensuring that all new plans, policies and projects take account of the possible longer-term impacts of climate change.

5.8 Planning and Consents

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to planning for the future of the River Hamble and providing a clear and effective works consent process as the primary decision-making authority on matters affecting safety and ease of navigation in the harbour by:

                  (i) ensuring that all eligible developments and structures are subject to the works consent process and dealt with in the stipulated timescale;

                  (ii) ensuring that applications for works consent are considered in accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code, appropriate environmental legislation and the adopted policies of the Harbour Authority;

                  (iii) heeding the advice and guidance contained in other plans, such as the River Hamble Estuary Management Plan, the Hampshire County Structure Plan (1996-2011) and the `Strategic Principles', ensuring that the latter are up-to-date and fit for purpose;

                  (iv) working with appropriate local authorities to ensure that new Local Development Frameworks take full account of the unique circumstances of River;

    (v) assisting local authorities to develop plans for car and trailer parking adjacent to the River;

    (vi) seeking to enhance our role and influence in the economic and tourist development of the River, in conjunction with local authorities, Tourism South East, Marine South East and sail South East.

                  (vii) encouraging the appropriate protection of archaeological and historic assets of the River Hamble by regular consultation and close co-operation with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology;

                  (viii) encouraging, facilitating and supporting the work of the Hamble Estuary Partnership; and

                  (ix) learning more about the needs of local businesses which support River users and rely on the River for their trade, by attending meetings of the River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators' Association.

5.9 Consultation

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to listening to ideas and suggestions put forward by River users and other interested parties and to consulting with them when appropriate, by:

                  (i) arranging an Annual Forum at which River users and other interested parties can express their views and opinions;

                  (ii) accepting deputations, in person or in writing, at meetings of the Harbour Board and Management Committee which are held in public;

                  (iii) ensuring that Members of the Harbour Board and Management Committee are readily accessible to the public;

                  (iv) welcoming personal visits and telephone calls to the Harbour Office to discuss specific issues and concerns; and

                  (v) contributing to the revision of the Estuary Management Plan.

5.10 Visitors

    The Harbour Authority will endeavour, in partnership with others where appropriate, to provide appropriate facilities for visiting yachtsmen, both afloat and ashore, and manage them as efficiently as possible.

    (i) encouraging visiting yachtsmen into the River and providing safe, fairly priced berthing facilities for them by publicising through leaflets, information on the internet and through the Sail South East portal;

                  (ii) providing assistance and local information to visitors and collecting appropriate visitor fees; and

                  (iii) investigating the options for enhancing visitor facilities at Hamble.

5.11 Policy

                  The Harbour Authority will ensure whenever possible that its views are taken into account when future Government policies on ports, harbours and the marine environment are under consideration, by:

                  (i) responding to all relevant Government consultations; and

                  (ii) attending appropriate conferences, working groups and meetings at the regional and national level.

    (iii) ensuring that all changes of Harbour Authority policy are considered and approved by the Harbour Board.

5.12 Future Trends

                  The Harbour Authority will respond appropriately to new trends in recreational boating, for example: larger boats, RIBs, jet-skis and dry- sailing by:

    (i) monitoring trends in recreational boating and, in conjunction with River users and commercial operators, propose appropriate mechanisms to respond to them.

5.13 Financial

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to maintaining and managing the harbour cost-effectively and within the available resources by:

                  (i) operating within the agreed annual budget, controlling expenditure to ensure that it remains within income generation capacity;

                  (ii) managing and maintaining and, where necessary, replacing the Harbour Authority's existing estate, assets and facilities;

                  (iii) refining procedures to ensure that appropriate Harbour Dues are collected from all appropriate waterborne River users;

                  (iv) monitoring and controlling the 2008/09 budget and planning the 2009/10 budget;

                  (v) taking all reasonable steps to generate income and protect revenue; and

                  (vi) identifying and exploiting alternative sources for revenue generation, in order to ease the burden on Harbour Dues payers.

5.14 Staff

                  The Harbour Authority wishes to employ and retain a well-motivated, properly trained staff and provide regular training for Harbour Board and Management Committee Members by:

                  (i) providing training and encouraging personal development for all staff through the Individual Performance Planning (IPP) process;

                  (ii) adhering to the principles of Investors in People (IiP);

                  (iii) ensuring that the available manpower is employed in the most cost- effective manner;

                  (iv) organising training events and opportunities for Harbour Board and Management Committee Members; and

                  (v) ensuring that new Pay and Benefits arrangements are implemented in accordance with County Council policies.

5.15 Equalities and Accessibility

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to ensure that it complies with all equalities and accessibility legislation by:

                  (i) ensuring that equalities and accessibility are taken into account in all activities and decisions of the Harbour Authority.

5.16 Review

                  The Harbour Authority is committed to reviewing plans, policies and procedures at intervals of five years or less, by:

                  (i) establishing a five-year rolling programme to ensure that all plans, policies and procedures are up-to-date and fit for purpose; and

                  (ii) scoping and setting objectives for a review of the capacity of the River Hamble.

6. Performance Monitoring

6.1 The main performance monitoring mechanism for the Harbour Authority is the six-monthly Port Marine Safety Code compliance audit carried out by the Designated Person (currently Captain Mark Capon of Marine Enforcement). Hampshire County Council carries out routine financial monitoring and audits, performance audits, Health and Safety checks and checks on progress against this Business Plan. The Crown Estate audits the management of moorings and the waiting list, and the associated finances. All outcome of all these checks and audits will be reported to the Management Committee and Harbour Board.

6.2 Performance can also be monitored by customer satisfaction, through informal and formal feedback to the Harbour Authority, including mooring and berth holders, waterborne visitors, works consent applicants, commercial operators, sailing and yacht clubs, environmental groups and River user organisations. Performance indicators such as the number of complaints received (written or verbal), or the number of thanks received (written or verbal) can provide an indication of weaknesses or strengths in particular areas of service, but must be set against the context of the differing priorities of customers.

6.3 The most useful performance measures are thus:

                  (i) compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code, as audited six-monthly;

                  (ii) achievement in Hampshire County Council financial audits;

                  (iii) achievement in Hampshire County Council performance audits;

                  (iv) achievement in Health and Safety checks;

                  (v) achievement in Crown Estate audits;

                  (vi) completion of the tasks in this annual business plan;

                  (vii) adherence to Hampshire County Council policies for the implementation of e-government; and

                  (viii) compliance with ISO 9001:2000 and IiP requirements.

ANNEX

2008 - 2009 ACTION PLAN

SERIAL

ACTION

TIMESCALE

1

Implement the County Council approved recommendations developed as a result of the Haskoning governance review.

Implementation by mid - 2008

2

Enhance the availability and quality of safety information for River users by the use of publications and websites.

Enhanced safety information in Hamble Directory and website subject to continuous improvements.

3

Work towards an acceptable method of agreeing, measuring and monitoring the carrying capacity of the River.

Methodology and way ahead to be agreed by Dec 2008.

4

Arrange Annual Forum for 2009.

Arrangements in place and event planned by end Feb 2009, to take place late Mar 2009.

5

Investigate options for enhancing visitor facilities at Hamble and Warsash.

By Dec 2008.

6

Respond to all relevant Government consultations.

All responses to meet Government deadlines.

7

Refine procedures to ensure that Harbour Dues are collected from all eligible waterborne River users.

Ongoing.

8

Ensure that new Pay and Benefits arrangements are implemented in accordance with County Council policies.

Ongoing.

9

Procure new aerial photographs of the River at high and low tide

Summer 2008

10

Contribute to the 2008 revision of the Estuary Management Plan

To be completed by Dec 2008