Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Information Report

1) Summary

1.1. This report provides a summary of key aspects relating to the environmental management of the Harbour since September 2008

2) Issues Covered in Report:

2.1. Maintenance Dredging Protocol & Dredging Plan

The River Hamble Boat Yard & Marina Operators Association has formed a Dredging Plan Working Group in partnership with the Harbour Authority in light of the publication of Defra's Maintenance Dredging Protocol. This group is chaired by the Assistant Harbour Master (Environment) and will be further developing the River Hamble's Dredging Plan to ensure a balance is maintained between future dredging requirements and environmental protection.

2.2. Winter Maintenance Dredging at MDL Marinas

The Harbour Authority has received an application for maintenance dredging works to take place within sections of Hamble Point Marina, Port Hamble Marina and Mercury Yacht Harbour during early 2009. The application is currently being processed.

2.3. ABP Southampton Channel Dredge

The Harbour Authority is continuing to liaise with ABP to ensure that any impacts on the River Hamble are fully assessed and mitigated.

2.4. Marine Bill

The Bill, now known as the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, was announced in the Queen's Speech on the 3 December 2008. The Bill will now go through stages of debate and amendments in the House of Lords then the House of Commons, and may proceed to Royal Assent by autumn 2009. The Marine Bill team have published a document `Managing our marine resources - licensing under the Marine Bill' , available via http://www.defra.gov.uk/marine/index.htm which sets out the proposed changes to the marine licensing and enforcement systems. "These changes will: provide a clear proportionate regulatory system to protect the marine environment and allow low risk activities to take place where appropriate; streamline the decision-making process, allowing more strategic and sustainable choices to be made about what we want in our seas; enable a more flexible and proportionate approach to be taken when dealing with licensing offences". The Harbour Authority has been in discussion with the Marine Bill team and have received confirmation that although the marine works licensing process will be streamlined, the River Hamble Harbour Board will still be responsible for granting a separate Harbour Works consent as set out in s48(2) of the Southampton Harbour Act 1949.

2.5. Marine & Fisheries Agency visit

The Marine Environment Team swapped their London office for a visit to the River Hamble in September. This team is responsible for granting Defra's FEPA and CPA licenses for works in the marine environment, but rarely gets the change to visit any sites. As part of the visit, the HM and AHM(E) took the team responsible for granting licenses in the Solent area out on the River to give them a good insight into the Harbour and the many complex issues that surround it. The team wrote afterwards to thank the Harbour Authority for the valuable trip and information. Benefits of this improved local knowledge and enhanced relationship and have already been seen in recent consent consultations.

2.6. Marine Archaeology meeting

The Harbour Authority hosted a meeting between English Heritage, Hampshire County Council Archaeologist, and the Hants & Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology to improve the understanding of each others' responsibilities towards maritime archaeology. Clarification was given regarding statutory remits of each organisation, and agreements were reached on the consultation processes for consent applications in these sensitive areas.

2.7. Oil Spill Response Contract

On the 2^nd October 2008 the Harbour Authority's Tier 2 response contract was sold by Oil Spill Response Limited to Adler & Allan. The new contractor will be supplying the same cover and equipment in the event of an incident.

2.8. Oil Spill Training

Two Assistant Harbour Masters (Patrol) attended a training course in December run by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and Local Council Emergency Planning Teams covering practical oil spill response procedures. This course provided a good opportunity to practise cross-agency working as would be required in the event of a real incident.

The AHM(E) also ran an additional table-top exercise in December for the Harbour Office team covering the initial actions required by staff to deal with a large oil spill. The exercise focused on first response actions, health & safety, communications & media, setting up the operational response area and team roles & rotas.

3) Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be noted.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION: