Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR BOARD held at The RAF Yacht Club, Hamble on 30 January, 2009

PRESENT:

259 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

It was reported that apologies for absence had been submitted on behalf of Councillor House, Mr. Lovell, Tony Clatworthy (Harbour Master) and John Tickle (Recreation and Heritage Department).

260 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code.

Dr S Tomson and Mr D Evans declared personal interests by reason of their being mooring or berth holders on the river. Dr S Tomson declared a personal interest as a member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Mr. D Evans declared a personal interest as a member of Warsash Sailing Club and the Royal Air Force Yacht Club.

261 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 21 November, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

262 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported receipt of an e-mail from Councillor V. Weston, Winchester City Council, on the situation regarding the application for village green status in respect of Donkey Derby Field, Hamble. The outcome of this application might affect the car parking areas used by sailing clubs when events were held on the river, and it was suggested that the Board should comment to express concerns at the potential loss of parking and impact on access to the river. Three members of the Board were in favour of that approach but Councillor Bryant abstained since he was a member of the County Council's Regulatory Committee. It was therefore agreed that the Marine Director should be requested to write a letter on behalf of the Board expressing concerns about car parking and access arising from the claimed registration of Donkey Derby Field, Hamble as village green.

The Chairman then reported receipt of a letter from the River Hamble Harbour Mooring Holders Association expressing concerns about changes to the arrangements for temporary mooring licences. The Marine Director explained that the terms and conditions of temporary mooring licences on the River Hamble were a matter for the Crown Estate, with administrative arrangements made by the Harbour Authority on their behalf. The income from temporary moorings was divided 75% to the Crown Estate and 25% to the Harbour Authority. It was apparent that current arrangements were independent of the moorings waiting list, and the most effective solution from the Harbour Authority's point of view would be to direct river users seeking moorings for a period of less than 63 days to the visitors' pontoon. The profits derived from temporary mooring licences in the past year were £1,113 for periods between 28-62 days and £5,560 for periods of 63 days or more. It was agreed that it would not be appropriate for the Board or Harbour Authority to make representations on this issue, but that the Marine Director should be asked to reply giving the information requested, and summarised above, to the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association.

263 DEPUTATIONS

No deputations had been notified on this occasion.

264 MINUTES OF THE RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - 9 JANUARY, 2009

The Board considered the Minutes of the Committee's meeting held on 9 January, 2009 (Item 6 in the Minute Book), incorporating recommendations relating to the items referred to in Minutes 265 and 266 below.

265 RIVER HAMBLE BUDGET REPORT

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the revised budget for 2008/09 and the forward budget for 2009/10. The Management Committee was in favour of the recommendations set out in the report. An outline was given of the healthy financial position for the Harbour Authority, with an assessment of likely risks in future posed by the recession, such as the possibility of reduced visitor income and fewer applications likely for Harbour Works consent. There remained strong demand for moorings and a substantial waiting list. Members suggested that they would like to see a report at their next meeting on the replacement/refit of boats and the likely costs; and asked that in future interest on the revenue reserve should be credited to the trading account.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the budget as set out in Item 7 be approved by the River Hamble Harbour Board.


(ii) That a report be submitted to the next meeting on the costs of replacement/refit of boats.


(iii) That in future interest on the revenue reserve should be credited to the trading account.

266 COMMERCIAL AND CONSENT CHARGES

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on a revised charging regime for costs associated with commercial vessels, passengers landing on public jetties, harbour works consent and dredging within the River Hamble harbour area. Some members expressed reservations at the extent and scale of the increases, particularly in the area of harbour works consent, at a time of economic difficulties. Most felt that the introduction of these charges could be phased without any substantial adverse financial impact of the Harbour Authority. It was therefore

RESOLVED:

(i) that the charge for a commercial vessel visiting Hamble harbour is increased from 8.02p to 12p plus VAT per Gross Registered Tonne (GRT), and that the Harbour Master should have the authority to negotiate annual compound charges for regular visitors.


(ii) that a charge be introduced for commercial vessels visiting Hamble harbour and licensed to carry more than 12 passengers, embarking and disembarking passengers on public jetties at 50p plus VAT per passenger, and that the Harbour Master should have the authority to negotiate annual compound charges based on typical annual activity.


(iii) That a basic charge of £390 plus VAT be introduced, phased-in (from the present level) over a three year period. Applications for Harbour Works Consent for larger projects would be subject to the same phased increases in the basic charge, based on the size of the proposed works, as follows:

(iv) That charges for capital dredging be increased by 20% + VAT.


(v) That a charge be introduced for each site application for maintenance dredging of £150 + VAT.


(vi) That in future the aim should be to increase each of these charges by the same percentage as harbour dues each year.

267 ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on various issues affecting the environment of the river, notably dredging, the Marine Bill, the Marine and Fisheries Agency, Marine Archaeology, and oil spills responses and training. A close watch was being kept on the developing proposals by ABP for dredging in Southampton Water, with particular reference to concerns at the potential impact of siltation at Hamble Point Marina and on Hamble spit. It was envisaged that a report would be made on the Water Framework Directive to the next meeting of the Management Committee and Board. An explanation was given of the training given to staff on their roles in the event of oil spills, to include the induction training given to seasonal coxswains, four of whom had just been successfully recruited for the Summer period. The Board received and noted the report on environmental matters with interest.

268 HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Board considered the Report of the Director of Recreation & Heritage (Item 10 in the Minute Book) covering recent events on the river and including in particular the outcome of the recent audit under the Port Marine Safety Code. With regard to the "man overboard" incident referred to in Paragraph 4.4, the Board stressed how vitally important it was for river users to wear life jackets, and a press release would be issued on the subject. Members expressed satisfaction at the successful outcome of the Port Marine Safety Code audit which gave a positive assessment of port safety in the River Hamble and was a credit to all staff concerned, particularly the Harbour Master who was wished a prompt and full recovery from illness. An explanation was given of the fuelling pontoon at Stone Pier Yard - in fact it did not contain fuel and posed a minimal risk of pollution, but the Board felt that in view of its poor structural condition efforts should be made with the owners to get it replaced or removed. Subject to these observations the report of the Harbour Master was received and noted.

269 PONTOON SAFETY LADDERS

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 11 in the Minute Book) incorporating legal advice from the Chief Executive, on the practical and financial implications of the proposal that safety ladders should be fitted to privately owned pontoons. The main problems with the proposals were the potential liability for owners of pontoons in installing and maintaining ladders, and the need for mooring licences issued by the Crown Estate to be revised to enable structures such as ladders to be attached to pontoons. Members generally felt that the levels of risk identified, and the numbers of incidents of river users falling into the water and being unable to escape, were low, and the Harbour Authority's response should be proportionate to the extent of risk identified. The Board took into account the views expressed by the Management Committee at their meeting on 24 October, when they had endorsed the suggested education initiative on water safety and had recommended against any of the options whereby the Harbour Authority would themselves be responsible for fitting or paying for the installation of safety ladders. The Board considered all relevant risks and safety factors, and it was

RESOLVED:

(i) That the Harbour Authority continue an education and information project to inform and warn all harbour users of possible dangers, together with a safety initiative to promote personal safety on the water. £2,000 to be set aside for the scheme for posters and leaflets. The initiative to be aimed at all those taking part in leisure activities within the Harbour. The initiative's main aims to be to promote awareness of the dangers of falling into the harbour and to promote the need to have the correct safety equipment available and to use it when appropriate. This applies especially to those using small low freeboard craft in the Harbour. Those using such craft should:


· Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.


· Wear the correct clothing or safety equipment.


· Adequately clothed for the activity being pursued.


· Do not overload tenders.


· Aim to have buoyancy as an integral part of the small craft.


· Carry the recommended safety equipment in tenders, to include a bailer, a light or torch and paddles or oars.


(ii) That the Harbour Authority keep risks and numbers of incidents under review and that a monitoring report on the subject to be issued to the Board in a year's time.

270 ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Board considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 12 in the Minute Book). They endorsed the list of items and requested a report on CCTV for their April meeting. The report on replacement/refit of boats requested under Minute 265 above would also be added to the listed of items for April, together with the report on the Water Framework directive requested under Minute 267. In conclusion the revised date for the next Board meeting was noted - 24 April.

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