AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at Warsash Sailing Club, Shore Road, Warsash on 20 June 2008.

PRESENT

Also present:

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

168 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were reported on behalf of Mr. D. Alexander, Mr. J. Eads and Mr. J. Greensmith; and also from Alison Crang, Assistant Harbour Master (Environment).

169 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 Mrs. C.A. Bailey, Councillor A. Broadhurst, Councillor T.M. Cartwright, Councillor Mrs. V. Weston and Councillor S.D.T. Woodward, together with Mr. R. Boissier, all declared personal and prejudicial interests in Item 12, Harbour Dues (Minute 179 below) by reason of their being mooring or berth holders on the river.

170 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Management Committee held on 25 April 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

171 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman explained recent alterations agreed by Hampshire County Council, namely that the Committee's former Chairman, Councillor R.J. Ellis, had been appointed a Member of the Cabinet and in the circumstances the roles of Councillor Ellis and Councillor Woodward on the Management Committee would be reversed, with the latter as Chairman and the former as Vice-Chairman. He thanked Councillor Ellis for his contribution as Chairman of the Committee over the past 3 years.

172 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified on this occasion.

173 HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising activities, incidents and events on the river from 30 May 2008. They also had a supplementary sheet circulated by the Harbour Master giving details of incidents during the period 7 - 18 June. (Item 6(x) in the Minute Book), Annex A, paragraph 3, third line was amended to refer to a patient who was "on release under Section 17" rather than "being held under Section 17".


Members endorsed the prompt action by the Harbour Master to notify all clubs and mooring holders of the potential dangers of sailing single-handed and failing to wear life jackets. Recent incidents had demonstrated the risks of potential drowning and hypothermia posed to sailors without life jackets who found themselves unable to escape from the water or attract attention.

The Harbour Master drew Members' attention to a further recent incident arising from the works being carried out by Mott McDonald to the M27 road bridge; the protective covering had become dislodged during windy weather and debris had been blown onto boats in Eastlands Boatyard. The material was likely to cause corrosion on boats and Mott McDonald had undertaken to clean them. It was confirmed that they had been in consultation with the Harbour Master on the extent, timing and protective works involved.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the Harbour Master's report and supplementary report (Items 6 and 6(x)) be noted.

174 ANNUAL REPORT OF ACHIEVEMENT AGAINST THE BUSINESS PLAN

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 7 in the Minute Book) summarising achievement against the River Hamble Harbour Authority business plan during 2007/08. Paragraph 5.2(iv) was amended to read to Eastleigh and Fareham Borough Councils.

Discussion centred on prospects for undertaking relevant research on matters related to the environment of the River Hamble, and it was suggested that the Hamble Estuary Partnership and the Solent Forum might both, in future, be in a position to carry out investigation of river capacity.

RESOLVED:

That the report of achievement against the business plan 2007/08 be noted.

175 RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR FINAL ACCOUNTS 2007/08

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ended 31 March 2008. Members welcomed the surplus of some £7,000 achieved, and also the healthy state of reserves.

In response to questions, it was explained that receipts from Harbour dues had been lower than expected, mainly because moorings for smaller boats had remained unoccupied for substantial periods with resultant loss of income. With regard to Harbour dues, it was pointed out that there was a virtually 100% collection rate from marinas and midstream moorings, and that progress was being made on increasing the collection rate from dry sailed boats and dinghies.


Several questions were raised on the impact of the economic slowdown and the rapid increase in fuel costs on the finances of the Harbour Authority, particularly next year as the "credit crunch" bites. There was some evidence from the marina and boatyard operators of a slowdown in boat usage and reduced level of activity, which, if sustained, could cause financial difficulties in the future. There could also be a similar impact from any decline in visitor numbers. It appeared unlikely that owners, as a result, would sell or remove their boats from the river, but even if they did it was pointed out that there was still a substantial waiting list of people who wanted moorings on the River. Mr. Boissier, on behalf of the Boatyard and Marina Operators Association, indicated that he would be willing to share information with the Harbour Authority as evidence emerged of how the economic situation was affecting boat usage and the likely financial impact.

RESOLVED:

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

176 ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on issues relating to the environment of the river in April and May 2008. Copies of the leaflet on recycling were circulated, and it was apparent that the recycling facilities at Hamble Public Jetty had not been mentioned. These would be included in any subsequent edition.

With regard to maintenance dredging, the Harbour Master explained the protocol agreed with all operators. He undertook to ask Alison Crang, Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) to respond by email to Members giving answers to further detailed questions. In response to a question, it was confirmed that maintenance dredging removed only mud and silt, which was deposited at sea; there was no potential for the extraction of any aggregates or minerals.

With regard to the Hamble Estuary Partnership, there was a review in train as to its future role, with the possibility that its Chairman might have access to the Board. As mentioned in Minute 174 above, there might also be opportunities for it to take on tasks relating to the management of the estuary, for example, capacity of the River. Members welcomed the innovation represented by the Environment Officers Group which enabled relevant professionals to share information and represented a national "first" in terms of inter-authority cooperation.

RESOLVED:

That the report on River Hamble environmental matters be noted.

177 PONTOON SAFETY LADDERS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the question of whether installation of safety ladders should be mandatory or optional on pontoons. The Harbour Master specified that this was a safety matter with a risk which the Harbour Authority needed to deal with. However, the Chairman suggested that there was a need for full consultation with all interested parties and that the item could, with benefit, be deferred to allow that to happen.

RESOLVED:

That consideration of the report on pontoon safety ladders be deferred until the October meeting of the Committee, in order to enable interested parties to make representations.

178 WORKS CONSENT POLICIES - DRAFT CONSULTATION

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 11 in the Minute Book) proposing a consultation process designed to establish the views of stakeholders, river users and other interested parties on proposed harbour works consents policies. In answer to questions, the Chief Executive undertook to report back on whether it would be possible to ensure that any new or replacement houseboats had proper facilities for the disposal of grey water and sewage. It was likely that an amendment to the byelaws would be needed to achieve this. It was confirmed that the proposed consultation document would be available on line as well as in hard copy and that responses would be welcomed in both formats.

With regard to the list of consultees set out in Appendix 2, it was agreed that it should be expanded to include:

· Southern Sea Fisheries

· Warsash Residents Association

· Sarisbury Residents Association

· Burridge and Swanwick Residents Association


RESOLVED:

That the Management Committee authorises the circulation of the consultation document at Appendix 1 to the consultees listed at Appendix 2 (as expanded).

179 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 13 in the Minute Book) setting out key issues for the meeting in October 2008. It was agreed that the deferred item on pontoon safety ladders (see Minute 177) should be added to the list.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted, subject to the addition of an item on pontoon safety ladders.

AT THIS POINT, COUNCILLOR MRS C.A. BAILEY, COUNCILLOR A. BROADHURST, COUNCILLOR T.M. CARTWRIGHT, COUNCILLOR MRS V. WESTON, COUNCILLOR S.D.T. WOODWARD AND MR. R. BOISSIER DECLARED PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS IN THE ITEM ON HARBOUR DUES, AS BERTH HOLDERS OR MOORING HOLDERS, AND THEY LEFT THE MEETING DURING CONSIDERATION OF THIS ITEM.

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COUNCILLOR R.J. ELLIS IN THE CHAIR

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180 RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR DUES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the proposed annual increase in the basic rate of harbour dues for the River Hamble for 2009. The Marine Director circulated a supplementary schedule (Item 12(x) in the Minute Book) giving details of the revised charges based on the Retail Price Index of +4.3%.

Members generally supported the proposal to increase Harbour dues by the RPI rate of increase, and not to add the additional 1% this year as had been the case in previous years. They felt that, although the Harbour Authority would lose £3,000 in income as a result, this was acceptable in view of the surplus in hand.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee advises the Harbour Board that

(i) The increase in the basic rate of Harbour dues for 2009 for vessels kept afloat and dry-sailed vessels over 6 metres length overall should be set at the RPI rate for May 2008, namely 4.3%.


(ii) The rate of Harbour dues for dry-sailed vessels up to 6 metres length overall should remain unchanged.

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