Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR BOARD held at Royal Air Force Yacht Club, Rope Walk, Hamble on Friday 4 December 2009.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors:

p K. Evans (Chairman)

p G. Hockley

a K. House

Independent Members

p T. Lovell

p C. Moody

p Dr S. Tomson

Marine Director

p D. Evans

Also present:

John Tickle, Assistant Director, Culture, Community and Rural Affairs

Ron Meekings, Head of Finance, Culture, Community and Rural Affairs

Liz Ellam, Principal Solicitor

Wendy Stowe, Assistant Harbour Master

23. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K. House and Tony Clatworthy (Harbour Master).

24. 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 was discussed save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code.

Dr S Tomson, Mr T Lovell and Mr D Evans declared personal interests by reason of their being River Hamble 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.

25. MINUTES - 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

The Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 18 September were confirmed as a correct record, subject to the correction of the spelling of Councillor S.D. Woodward's name, and then signed by the Chairman.

26. RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE - 23 OCTOBER 2009

The Minutes of the meeting of the Management Committee held on 23 October 2009 were noted.

27. 2010/2011 BUSINESS PLAN

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs (item 7 in the Minute Book) proposing a Business Plan for the work of the River Hamble Harbour Authority for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

Although not part of the formal Action Plan, the Chairman indicated that he believed that Board Members would benefit from a full and thorough examination of the Board's relationship and contract with the Crown Estate for the management of mid stream moorings. He also indicated that it was likely to be helpful to review the current River Hamble Strategic Plan at some point during the year.

The Marine Director advised that points 7, 8 and 9 within the Action Plan had been included at the request of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee. Matters highlighted as "ongoing" indicated issues that were not subject to a specific timetable for completion but which were continuing to receive attention.

In considering this item Board Members suggested an additional point 10 in the Business Plan i.e. "to investigate and evaluate opportunities to enhance the assets and facilities of the River Hamble, using the asset enhancement reserve". The timescale for this item to read "after consultation, followed by appraisal and selection of preferred schemes, with the intention of the appraisal and selection of preferred schemes being completed by September 2010".
RESOLVED:

That the Business Plan and Action Plan (as amended above) be approved for 2010/2011.

28. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT

The Marine Director presented the Harbour Master's report summarising activities and events in the Harbour since 19 September 2009 (Item 8 in the Minute Book). The Marine Director also circulated a supplementary report giving an update on more recent events and answered Board Members' questions.

The Marine Director advised that the buoys marking the no boating area has been removed for the winter (para 3.2). Boats had not entered the "no boating area" off Hamble jetty and as such this arrangement had seemed to be a success. The charge levied in respect of the assistance offered on 19^th October (para 3.11) had been £40 plus VAT (£46 in total).

Board Members noted with concern an incident on 27 October (para 3.14) in which a member of the Harbour Authority had been threatened and Police assistance had been sought. (The Police had not arrived in time to deal with the incident). The Marine Director advised that the person concerned had subsequently sold his boat and, as such, he hoped that the situation would not recur and that the matter was now closed.

The survey results in respect of the Upper Hamble Country Park jetty were awaited (para 3.17), but the Marine Director advised that a private trust were looking at ways of making the jetty a disabled facility. Should any repairs be required to the jetty it may be possible to combine those repairs with the appropriate access adaptations.

Board Members were concerned to note the incident on 10 November (para 3.24) in which there had been a spill of approximately 200 litres of diesel fuel on the M27. Although the appropriate emergency services had been in attendance, none had seemed to be aware of the possible risks to the environment and to the River Hamble. None of the emergency services in attendance had contacted the Harbour Office either.

The Marine Director advised that he had written to Hampshire County Council's Environment Department to inform them of the situation. They in turn were pursuing the matter with the Highways Agency to ensure that appropriate knowledge and expertise was disseminated as to what to do in the event of a similar occurrence. The Marine Director advised that the three yearly `oil spill' exercise due to be undertaken in September 2010 would be for a motorway bridge incident and as such the 10 November incident could hopefully assist in ensuring that relevant agencies were fully aware of their responsibilities. The Chairman requested that the Marine Director keep the Board appraised of any correspondence that he entered into in respect of the incident on 10 November in an effort to ensure that a similar occurrence did not take place.

Board Members noted with regret that consistently strong winds in November 2009 had caused damage to a number of boats (para 3.26). The Marine Director was of the view that most of the damage had, however, been preventable and had occurred as a result of poor quality berthing lines being used. Board Members were pleased to note that the power supply to the CCTV at Swanwick Bend had now been successfully reinstated and the entire system was now working correctly (para 4).

RESOLVED that the report be noted and further that the Harbour Authority staff be thanked for their actions over the recent period of inclement weather.

29. MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

Board Members noted that the River Hamble Select Committee was continuing its work and its final report was expected to become available on or around 8 January 2010 (para 2.2). With regard to the Board's accounts, a surplus in the region of £90,000 for 2009/10 was expected and this was noted. Board Members indicated that they were keen to see this surplus put to use.

The Marine Director advised that an order for two new patrol boats, had now been placed with Cheetah Marine (para 2.5) with the boats being due for delivery in 2010. He also advised that the Management Committee had requested a report on the possible retention of one of the existing boats (with smaller engines) for possible use as a platform for carrying out `dirty' jobs.

The Marine Director advised that in respect of the aerial photographs that it was intended to procure, high resolution photographs were of significant value and therefore preferable. A report to the Harbour Board detailing the costs and benefits of aerial photographs would be submitted to the Board no later than March 2010.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

30. ENVIRONMENT UPDATE

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture Communities and Rural Affairs (item 10 in the Minute Book).

The Marine Director advised that the Marine and Coastal Access Bill had received Royal assent on 12 November 2009. The Act had created a new Marine Management Organisation.

Members noted the proposals for Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ's) in English inshore and offshore waters and the "Balance Seas" project would examine the proposals for MCZ's in the area from just north of the Essex border to the Hampshire to Dorset border. In respect of environmental legislation, the Board also noted the Marine Director's confirmation that the Harbour Authority's response had been submitted in respect of the proposed amendments to the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

31. HARBOUR WORKS CONSENT - WARSASH MARITIME COLLEGE JETTY CAPITAL DREDGE (SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY)

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture Communities and Rural Affairs (item 11 in the Minute Book).

The Marine Director advised that he had no objections to the proposal for a capital dredge of the area around the Warsash Maritime Academy jetty during the winter 2009/10 period.

RESOLVED:

The River Hamble Harbour Board grants conditional harbour works consent for the proposed dredge with the following conditions:

· Risk Assessment and method statement are to be lodged with the Harbour Office prior to commencement of dredging.


· Timing of the dredge is to be carried out between November and March in order to avoid the salmonid migration window.


· The dredging is to be undertaken using the backhoe dredging method and there must be no overspill.

· Excess spoil must not be washed off the barge while the barge is in transit. Spoil disposed by this method may affect the navigation channel, water quality and the oyster beds which lay from Stone Pier Yard to the beacon No. 1 at the entrance to the harbour.

· Post dredge data to be supplied to the Harbour Authority on request if appropriate for inclusion in the River Hamble Dredging Plan.

· When the spoil barge or other plant is required to move into or out of the harbour, an `all ships' advisory call must be made on VHF channel 68.

· Any movement of the barge during the weekends must be cleared with the Harbour Office prior to the weekend, to ensure other planned events are not affected.

· Sufficient Tier 1 spill booming must be held to completely encircle the plant equipment being used.

· Should there be an incident outside working hours and the Harbour Master not be contactable the Coastguard should be contacted. The Coastguard hold all contact details if required in an emergency.

32. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture Communities and Rural Affairs (item 12 in the Minute Book).

The Board noted with the concern the proposed items for January 2010 and the possibility of an excessively lengthy January 2010 agenda. Members noted that the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee would consider the Select Committee's report on 15 January 2009 and that this was only four days prior to publication of the agenda for their own meeting on 29 January 2010. Given the potential significance of the Select Committee's recommendations and those of the Management Committee in respect of it, Board Members felt that this was one item that could be deferred to their March 2010 meeting to allow for appropriate consultation. To ensure that they were appropriately informed and aware of the report's potential implications, Board Members asked that an informal briefing be arranged in February (on a date to be confirmed).

RESOLVED that:

(i) The report be noted and that

(ii) Consideration of the River Hamble Select Committee's report be deferred to the Harbour Board Meeting of 29 March 2010.

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