Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held at Royal Southern Yacht Club, Rope Walk, Hamble on Friday 23 October 2009.
PRESENT
Chairman:
p Councillor S. D. T. Woodward
Vice-Chairman:
a Councillor Dr. R. J. Ellis
Councillors:
a F. Allgood p C. Davidovitz
a Mrs C. A. Bailey p A. D. G. Evans
a A. Broadhurst a A. Gibson
p M.C. Cooper p A. W. Rice, TD
Eastleigh Borough Council
a Councillor Mrs S. Ingram a Councillor H. Millar
Fareham Borough Council
p Councillor T. M. Cartwright a Councillor D. C. S. Swanbrow
Winchester City Council
a Councillor Victoria Weston a Councillor J. Cooper (Deputy)
Royal Yachting Association
p Mrs P. Dorothy
Association of River Hamble Yacht Clubs
p Mr P. Middleton a Mr J Noe
British Marine Federation
a Mr John Eads a Mr M. Glanville
Associated British Ports
a Captain P. Holliday a Mr R. Blair
Hamble River Boatyard and Marina Operators Association
a Mr R. Boissier a Mr N Kimish
Berth and Mooring Holders Representative
p Mr D. Jobson
15. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of
Councillors F. Allgood, Mrs C. A. Bailey, A. Broadhurst and
A. Gibson, Councillor Mrs S. Ingram, Councillor V. Weston,
Captain P. Holliday, Mr J. Eads and Mr R. Blair.
16. 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.
Councillor S. D. T. Woodward, Councillor T. M. Cartwright,
Mrs P Dorothy and Mr P. Middleton all declared personal interests by reason of their being Mooring or Berth Holders on the River.
Councillor T. M. Cartwright declared a personal interest as a member of Warsash Sailing Club and Mrs Peggy Dorothy declared a personal interest as a member of the Hamble River Sailing Club and Warsash Sailing Club. Mr P. Middleton declared a personal interest as a member of the RAF Yacht Club.
17. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Committee held on 26 June 2009 were
confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising thereon:
Minute 11 - Car and Trailer Parking adjacent to the River Hamble
Mr P Middleton felt that a broader look should be taken at all car parking and the unresolved issue of the Donkey Derby Field.
The Director of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs advised that
he had sought the involvement of the Environment Department in looking at the wider impact of car parking on the River Hamble and would report the outcomes which would also cover Mr Middleton's issues to the next meeting of the Management Committee.
Mr D. Jobson advised that the resolution regarding Harbour Dues for paddled and rowed vessels excluded the fact that there should be a review after 3 years. The Marine Director advised that the River Hamble Harbour Board had agreed to review when necessary.
18. CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman noted that this was the last meeting that
Lindsey Hawke-Davies would be attending as a result of her leaving
Hampshire County Council. The Committee joined with him in
expressing their thanks and appreciation to Lindsey.
The Chairman advised that a small working group had been
established to review the financial aspects involved in running the
River. The process had taken place in parallel with the setting up of
a Select Committee The Chairman invited Mr D. Jobson to give an
update on the work of the group. Mr D. Jobson circulated a paper
which provided an overview of the work of the group and its
recommendations. The Working Group's recommendations
concluded that:
· An activity based Profit and Loss structure, clearly
separating operational and support services would make the need,
cost and benefit more self-evident for both essential and
discretionary services.
· In particular the cost and value of acting as the Crown Estate's managing agent would be proven.
· A more effective organisational structure should be considered.
· The method of assessing and collecting dues for marina boats `afloat' should be extended to `dry sailed' boats at commercial operators, Parish Council and Club sites.
· There should be a re-alignment of clearer reconciliation of billing dues and accounting periods would permit greater income transparency.
· The Harbour Authority should fully recover costs for commercial services.
· The Crown Estate should be encouraged to re-examine the scope to increase mooring capacity/utilisation to enhance the Harbour Authority revenue streams.
The Group recommended:
· A more rigorous allocation of operating and capital costs and corresponding depreciation and reserves should be implemented.
· In turn, a more robust business case process should be considered to aid planning and budgeting.
· An operating surplus should be encouraged, offset by a corresponding reduction in the revenue reserve the following year.
· The reserves policy should be clarified and a plan for future investment published.
· The asset register should be reviewed to clarify ownership issues and future provision and enhancement.
· Where merited these recommendations should be adopted for the current 2010/11 budget.
The County Treasurer welcomed the paper and reassured Members
that there was an opportunity to revisit the budget in the course of
the financial year. It was agreed that the County Treasurer and
Marine Director would meet with the group to discuss further.
9. DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations to the meeting.
20. 2010/2011 BUSINESS PLAN
The Director of Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs presented
the Business Plan covering the work of the River Hamble Harbour
Authority for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 (Item 6 in the
Minute Book).
The Marine Director referred to the 2009 - 2010 Action Plan and
achievements to date and advised that the Annual Forum would be
arranged for March 2010.
With regard to the 2010- 2011 Action Plan, Mr Middleton felt that
there was an opportunity to enhance the taxi services in
conjunction with the commercial operators. The Marine Director
advised that work was progressing with the Crown Estate and
options were being considered for the storing of tenders on
pontoons at the Hamble and Warsash. In response to a question
about an opportunity purchase fund to address car parking issues
long term, the Marine Director advised that he welcomed the idea
but that there were practical and cost issues to consider. He would
add the item to the draft Action Plan. Car parking was an ongoing
discussion with Hampshire County Council.
RESOLVED
That the Management Committee advises the Harbour Board to
approve the Business Plan and Action Plan for 2010-2011 subject
to the items mentioned.
21. HARBOUR MASTER'S REPORT
The Marine Director presented the Harbour Master's report
summarising the activities and events in the Harbour since 19 July
2009 (Item 7 in the Minute Book). The Marine Director circulated a
supplementary report giving an update on more recent events
(Item 7 (x) in the Minute Book.
The Marine Director advised that the Harbour now operated on
autumn hours 6am - 7pm which had been shortened to match the
available daylight. In response to a question from a Member about
the charging policy if a boat was in difficulty and needed to be
towed to a safe place, the Marine Director advised that the charge
was made of £46 including VAT for a tow of less than an hour and
if over the hour the charge was pro rata. The Marine Director
reported that with the exception of the attempted theft there had
been no other significant thefts of large outboards. He advised that
the support they had received from the Police Community Support
Officers had been excellent. The Marine Police Unit had
responsibility for marine based crime until about 9 months ago but
were now tasked to different areas. The local land Police were
assisting and it had been agreed with them that all occurrences of
theft reported to the Harbour Office would be reported to the Police.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted
22. MARINE DIRECTOR'S CURRENT ISSUES
The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture,
Communities and Rural Affairs (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on
current issues including the withdrawal of Warsash Sailing Club's
Section 31 objection to Harbour Dues, the Select Committee
approved by the Harbour Board at its meeting on 18 September
2009, the ordering of replacement Patrol boats and the procurement
of new aerial photographs of the Harbour.
With regard to the Section 31 objection, the Marine Director
advised that as a result of Warsash Sailing Club withdrawing its
objection to the Section 31 agreement and the withdrawal of seven
other representations made in this regard the Department of
Transport had now confirmed that the public inquiry had been
formally cancelled. The Select Committee would continue to look at
the issues raised by Warsash Sailing Club who had reserved the
right to reinstate the public inquiry if the Select Committee did not
resolve the issues to their satisfaction.
In relation to the order for new patrol boats, the Marine Director
advised that the Harbour Board had agreed that the Chairman,
County Treasurer and himself could look at the detailed
specifications of the boats which were new versions of the current
patrol boats. In discussions with the manufacturer he had
managed to persuade them to produce a one off boat very similar to
the current boats, the only difference being a gate in the starboard
gunwhale. The engines would be transferred along with the control
system and some of the stainless steel fabrication. He had been
offered a trade in price on the second hand boats but was looking to
sell on the open market if a higher price could be achieved. One of
the existing boats could be retained to use around the Harbour but
the Harbour Board had not currently agreed to this..
Mr Middleton considered that there was insufficient information
available to make an informed decision about whether to retain one
boat. He suggested that a report be submitted to the next meeting
on the costs of the proposal and the question of retaining one boat.
The Marine Director advised that the gross cost for two boats
including the transfer of equipment was £107,000.
With regard to the aerial photographs, the Marine Director advised
that he had made further enquiries about the best solution and had
found out that Hampshire County Council had used a company to
produce aerial photographs in 2005 and would be using the same
firm again next summer.
A Member considered that both 2005 and 2010 photographs would
be useful for comparison purposes to look at specific sites on the
River.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
23. ENVIRONMENT UPDATE
The Committee considered the report of the Director of
Culture, Communities and Rural Affairs (Item 9 in the Minute
Book) on various issues relevant to the environment
management of the River since June 2009 including Marine and
Coastal Access Bill, Balanced Seas, consultation on proposed
changes or updates to environmental legislation, maintenance
consents and training.
The Marine Director advised that in relation to the Marine and
Coastal Access Bill it was hoped that it would be enacted before
Christmas 2009.
In terms of the Balanced Seas Project, the Marine Director advised
that this was looking at marine protected areas. The University of
Kent had appointed three Project Liaison Officers one of which
would be based at the Harbour Office, working in the office one or
two days a week.
In response to Mr Middleton's question about the M27 bridge not
being included in the priority list of bridges awaiting interceptors, the
Marine Director advised that he would make further enquiries and
report back to the Management Committee.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
24. HARBOUR WORKS CONSENT - WARSASH MARITIME
COLLEGE JETTY CAPITAL DREDGE (SOUTHAMPTON
SOLENT UNIVERSITY
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture,
Communities and Rural Affairs (item 10 in the Minute Book) on
the proposed works to dredge the area around the Warsash
Maritime Academy Jetty during the Winter 2009/2010 period.
The Marine Director advised that the works were a capital rather
than a maintenance dredge.
RESOLVED:
That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee
advises the Board to grant conditional Harbour Works Consent
for the proposed dredge with the following conditions:
Dredging to be undertaken using the backhoe dredging
method and that there is no overspill.
Timing of the dredge to be carried out between November and
March in order to avoid the salmonid migration window.
No sediment to be deposited within the Hamble.
Post dredge data to be supplied to the Harbour Authority on
request if appropriate for inclusion in the River Hamble
Dredging Plan.
25. ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
The Committee considered the report of the Director Culture,
Communities and Rural Affairs (Item 11in the Minute Book) and
endorsed the topics anticipated in the future with the addition of
Retention of Boats to the meeting on 8 January 2010.