AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR BOARD held at the Royal Air Force Yacht Club, Rope Walk, Hamble on Friday 4 April 2008.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

p Councillor J.V. Bryant

p Councillor K. Evans

p Councillor K. House

Independent Members

p Mr. T. Lovell

a Mr. C. Moody

p Dr. S. Tomson

Marine Director

p Mr. D. Evans

Also Present

Councillor Dr. R. J. Ellis, Chairman of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee,

Captain M. Capon, Designated Person (Port Marine Safety Code), Tony Clatworthy, Harbour Master and Alison Crang, Assistant Harbour Master (Environment).

194. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies for absence were received.

195. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

All Members who believe they have a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that 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, 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.

Dr. S. Tomson declared a personal interest as a member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club and as a mooring holder. Mr D. Evans declared a personal interest as a mooring holder and a member of Warsash Sailing Club and the Royal Air Force Yacht Club. Mr T. Lovell declared a personal interest as a trustee of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, as a mooring holder, a Director of Cowes Week Limited, a Director of

Rope Walk Limited (the holding Company of the Royal Southern Yacht Club) and as Director of the River Hamble Boatyard and Marina Operator's Association.

Councillor K. Evans declared an interest due to being on Fareham Borough Council's Planning Committee. Councillor J. V. Bryant declared an interest due to being on Fareham Borough Council.

196. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 1 February 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute 193 - Items for Future Meetings

In response to a question about Minerals Extraction not being on an item for consideration on the Agenda, the Board felt that it was important to discuss the potential impacts of local mineral site proposals upon the River and requested that an informal workshop be held as soon as conveniently possible but prior to a report being submitted to the next meeting of the Board on 30 May 2008 which would consider any specific river-related issues that may emerge from the workshop.

The Board requested that Richard Read, the Head of Planning and Development of the Environment Department at Hampshire County Council attend the workshop to aid discussion about impacts on the River.

The Board asked that a Minerals and Waste Workshop be held week commencing

21 April 2008 and asked the Chief Executive to canvass dates and arrange the workshop.

197. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(a) The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from Mr J. Clark, Honorary Treasurer

of the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association expressing concerns about

the recent decisions of the River Hamble Harbour Board at its meetings on

20 July and 26 September 2007 in connection with the charging of River Hamble

Harbour Dues and the Harbour Office issuing invoices based on the potential

capacity of a mooring and not on the length of the vessel. The Chairman advised

that he and the Marine Director would jointly reply to Mr Clark.

(b) The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from Mr Michael Sterne, Honorary

Secretary of Warsash Sailing Club raising concerns about the Harbour Board's

implementation of the directions of the Port Marine Safety Code and the need

for these questions to be answered. The Chairman advised that he and the Marine

Director would jointly reply to Mr Sterne.

198. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 6

in the Minute Book) summarising the activities and events on the River Hamble

since 31 January 2008.

In relation to the supplementary report circulated at the meeting and in particular to

Para 4.relating to Incidents, the Harbour Master advised that further information had

been requested about the collision between the motor yacht and the moored vessel.

A copy of the report had been sent to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and

the Royal Yachting Association and the latter had spoken to the Instructor about the

incident. Any reports received would be submitted to the Board.

In connection with paragraph 3.1, The Harbour Master corrected the patrol time from

1700hrs to 700hrs.

In connection with paragraph 4.7, the Harbour Master referred to the incident and the

question of fixing safety ladders to private pontoons. Captain Capon advised that the

requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code states that reasonable precautions need

to be in place The Board discussed the risk and considered that safety ladders should

be optional rather than mandatory and that the Management Committee should

be asked to consider further whether there is a case for making them mandatory.

RESOLVED:

That in respect of private mooring pontoons being replaced or newly installed on the

River, owners should be advised to fit a safety ladder and that owners of all other

pontoons should be asked to consider fitting a safety ladder and that the Management

Committee should be asked to advise whether there is a case for making the fitting of

safety ladders to all pontoons mandatory.

199. MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 7 in the Minute Book) highlighting current issues relating to the management of the Harbour Authority.

The Marine Director reported that all questions had been answered in relation to the Freedom of Information requests received.

In connection with the Crown Estate Management Agreement, the Marine Director advised that he had hoped to be in a position to report that the Management Agreement had been signed, sealed and delivered however, the delivery had not taken place but he was hopeful that it would be delivered in the next day or two.

In connection with paragraph 3.5, the Marine Director reported the receipt of a letter from Mr Clark, the Treasurer of the River Hamble Mooring Holder's Association about potentially ambiguous wording in previous reports in respect of Harbour Dues and he proposed revised wording to make the intent of the Board clear. The Board agreed that there should be consistent charging for Harbour Dues and agreed that the recommendation should be amended.

The Marine Director advised that the Marine Bill had been published on 3 April 2008.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Harbour Board notes items 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.

(b) That with regard to item 3.5, that the Harbour Board re-affirms the existing policy that Harbour Dues for Crown Estate mid-stream moorings should continue to be charged per metre on the basis of the maximum capacity of the mooring, using the following wording:

"All Crown Estate mid-stream moorings: Annual harbour dues to be based on the exact maximum length of vessel which can be accommodated on the mooring."

200. ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on current issues notably the Pollution Preparedness and Response, Recycling Scheme, Conferences and Workshops, Environmental Projects and Pending Harbour Works Consents.

Regarding paragraph 4, the Recycling Scheme update, the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) reported that currently Fareham Borough Council Members and local residents had concerns about the location of the bins in the Shore Road car park. The bins need to be accessible to all parties and the current proposal would not result in any loss of car parking space. If, however, the bins cannot be sited in the car park, this may have a financial impact on the Harbour Authority because they may have to be emptied by a private contractor, rather than in partnership with Fareham Borough Council.

The Board noted that the public consultation deadline on the Draft Marine Bill is

26 June 2008.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.