Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1. This report proposes a Business Plan covering the work of the River Hamble Harbour Authority for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

2. Background

2.1 Appendix B to this report sets out the draft Business Plan for the provision of services and facilities by the River Hamble Harbour Authority during 2010-2011. It follows from, and supports, the Strategic Plan of the Harbour Authority and, when approved, will be used to inform the budget proposals for the financial year 2010/11. The Business Plan also includes a draft table of actions for the forthcoming year at Annex A and a table setting out achievements to date for 2009/10 at Annex B.

3. Impact Assessments

3.1 This report covers the provision of a wide range of services and facilities by the Harbour Authority. Full equalities impact assessments for the delivery of the Port Marine Safety Code; dealing with visitors and general enquiries; and the management of moorings have already been prepared.

4. Recommendation

4.1. That the River Hamble Harbour Board approves the Business Plan and Action Plan for 2010-2011.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

APPENDIX B

DRAFT

River Hamble Harbour Authority

Business Plan 2010-2011

1. Introduction

1.1 This Business Plan covers the work of the River Hamble Harbour Authority for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 and provides short term detail in support of the longer term Strategic Plan.

2. Mission

2.1 The Harbour Authority's Mission Statement is set out in the Strategic Plan.

"To ensure that the harbour is operated safely and efficiently, so as to safeguard its users, the public and the environment, both now and in the future. It is committed within its powers to fulfilling all its duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner, so that the Hamble is accessible and enjoyable for all."

2.2 The challenge to be addressed in this Business Plan is to deliver the Mission, along with the statutory functions of the Harbour Authority, within the financial resources available in-year.

3. Scope of Activities and Services

3.1 The activities of the Harbour Authority include:

(i) safety monitoring and management;

(ii) environmental monitoring and protection;

(iii) ensuring compliance with the Collision Regulations, Bye-Laws and Harbour Master's Directions;

(iv) collection of Harbour Dues;

(v) management of mid-stream moorings and the moorings waiting list (on behalf of the Crown Estate);

(vi) administration of waterborne visitors to the River;

(vii) processing of applications for developments which require Harbour Authority works consent, in accordance with the agreed Works Consent process;

(viii) the encouragement of appropriate commercial development; and

(ix) support for recreational boating.

4. Constraints

4.1 The Harbour Authority is currently constrained by:

(i) the legislation contained in the Southampton Harbour Act (1949) and Harbour Revision Order (1969) (as amended in 1982 and 1989). The River Hamble operates as a Municipal Port under the auspices of Hampshire County Council as the Harbour Authority;

(ii) The Port Marine Safety Code (2000), revised 2009;

(iii) relevant environmental legislation;

(iv) The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974);

(v) planning policy constraints imposed by the extant Eastleigh Borough Council and Fareham Borough Council Local Plans, and a current maximum of 3,261 afloat moorings on the River;

(vi) The Estuary Management Plan;

(viii) a budget based on being a self-funding business unit where annual expenditure and income must match, such that increases in Harbour Dues and Visitor Fees will be no higher than required to fund the essential in-year and long-term activities of the Harbour Authority; and

(vii) equalities legislation.

5. Objectives and Actions

The long-term strategic objectives of the Harbour Authority give rise to the following actions for 2010-2011:

5.1 Governance

The Harbour Authority is committed to governing the River Hamble in compliance with the Department for Transport's `Municipal Ports Review' by:

(i) supporting the current governance arrangements, as approved by the County Council.

5.2 Navigational Safety

The Harbour Authority is committed to making the Port Marine Safety Code the central pillar of everything which the Harbour Authority and its staff does to ensure the safety of all those who use and work in the harbour by:

(i) maintaining and, where appropriate, updating navigational marks and lights to facilitate safe navigation in the harbour and its approaches, and safeguard the navigational access to and from the harbour;

(ii) monitoring the activities of all those who use the harbour and ensuring that the law and bye-laws are enforced when appropriate, encouraging people to use the River safely and responsibly;

(iii) conducting regular (bi-annual) independent audits of the safety regime on the River;

(iv) administering the issue of commercial boat and boatman's licences on behalf of Eastleigh and Fareham Borough Councils;

(v) enhancing the availability and quality of safety information for River users by use of publications, notice boards and signs;

(vi) seeking every opportunity to improve and enhance safety by ensuring that all risks are identified and managed to `as low as reasonably practicable'.

5.3 Environment

The Harbour Authority is committed to discharge its responsibilities under the Habitats Regulations and all other relevant environmental legislation through conserving the environment and maintaining approved pollution prevention and nature conservation measures by:

(i) managing, maintaining and, where possible, enhancing the environment of the River, in accordance with current environmental legislation;

(ii) continuing statutory tasks for the stewardship and management of the environment;

(iii) maintaining an oil spill response plan and appropriate Tier 1 (immediate response) equipment;

(iv) maintaining a port waste management plan and providing the appropriate reception and disposal facilities, and;

(v) identifying environmental research opportunities and providing support and funding in appropriate cases.

5.4 Public Relations and Communication

The Harbour Authority wishes to enhance the public perception of the Harbour Authority through building and maintaining the confidence of river users and other interested parties by informing them of progress and achievements by:

(i) working to improve relations with River user groups, yacht clubs and individuals by participation in meetings, provision of information and personal contact;

(ii) informing River users and other interested parties about the Harbour Authority's aspirations, strategic planning, financial management and business planning by publishing information whenever possible;

(iii) improving the quality and quantity of information available to River users and other members of the public about the activities of the Harbour Authority by means of press releases, input to the River Hamble Directory and greater use of the web-site and the Notices to River Users distribution list; and

(iv) improving the quality and corporate image of signs and notices on the River by a rolling programme of replacement and improvement.

5.5 The Crown Estate

The Harbour Authority is committed to maintaining a productive relationship with the Crown Estate and its agents by:

(i) fulfilling the terms of the Management Agreement with the Crown Estate;

(ii) conducting regular formal and informal meetings to monitor performance;

(iii) working with the Crown Estate to ensure appropriate investment in its mooring assets and the River as a whole; and

(iv) working with the Crown Estate to provide and maintain an appropriate range of mooring types and prices.

5.6 Moorings

The Harbour Authority will continue to manage the mid-stream moorings efficiently and fairly, on behalf of the Crown Estate, by:

(i) managing the moorings waiting list on behalf of the Crown Estate;

(ii) managing sub-let moorings on behalf of the Crown Estate;

(iii) collecting Mooring Licence fees;

(iv) managing mooring holders affected by mooring maintenance work; and

(v) dealing with customer questions and complaints.

5.7 Climate Change

The Harbour Authority is committed to being pro-active in identifying the impact of climate change on the River by:

(i) conducting routine monitoring of the river for effects attributable to sea level rise; and

(ii) ensuring that all new plans, policies and projects take account of the possible longer-term impacts of climate change.

5.8 Planning and Consents

The Harbour Authority is committed to planning for the future of the River Hamble and providing a clear and effective works consent process as the primary decision-making authority on matters affecting safety and ease of navigation in the harbour by:

(i) ensuring that all eligible developments and structures are subject to the works consent process and dealt with in a reasonable timescale;

(ii) ensuring that applications for works consent are considered in accordance with the Port Marine Safety Code, appropriate environmental legislation and the adopted policies of the Harbour Authority;

(iii) working towards an acceptable method for agreeing, measuring and monitoring the carrying capacity of the River;

(iv) heeding the advice and guidance contained in other plans, such as the saved policies of the Hampshire Structure Plan; the South East Plan; and from other organisations such as the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Hamble Estuary Partnership (HEP).;

(v) working with appropriate local authorities to ensure that new Local Development Frameworks take full account of the unique circumstances of River;

(vi) engaging with the County Council and other local authorities to encourage facilities for car and trailer parking adjacent to the River;

(vii) seeking to enhance the Harbour Authority's role and influence in the economic and tourist development of the River, in conjunction with local authorities, Tourism South East, Marine South East and Sail South East.

(viii) encouraging the appropriate protection of archaeological and historic assets of the River Hamble by regular consultation and close co-operation with the Hampshire County Archaeologist, English Heritage and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology;

(ix) encouraging, facilitating and supporting the work of the Hamble Estuary Partnership; and

(x) learning more about the needs of local businesses which support River users and rely on the River for their trade, by attending meetings of the River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators' Association.

5.9 Consultation

The Harbour Authority is committed to listening to ideas and suggestions put forward by River users and other interested parties and to consulting with them when appropriate, by:

(i) conducting formal consultations with interested stakeholders when appropriate, using on-line methods wherever possible.

(ii) arranging an Annual Forum at which River users and other interested parties can express their views and opinions;

(iii) accepting deputations, in person or in writing, at meetings of the Harbour Board and Management Committee which are held in public;

(iv) ensuring that Members of the Harbour Board and Management Committee are readily accessible to the public;

(v) supporting the work of the Hamble Estuary Partnership as an additional means of engaging with stakeholders and other interested parties;

(vi) holding regular `Meet the Harbour Board' evenings; and

(vii) welcoming personal visits and telephone calls to the Harbour Office to discuss specific issues and concerns.

5.10 Visitors

The Harbour Authority will encourage the provision of appropriate facilities for visiting yachtsmen, both afloat and ashore, and manage them as efficiently as possible.

(i) encouraging visiting yachtsmen into the River and providing safe, fairly priced berthing facilities for them by publicising through leaflets, on the internet and through the Sail South East portal;

(ii) providing assistance and local information to visitors and collecting appropriate visitor fees; and

(iii) considering options for enhancing visitor facilities at Hamble and Warsash.

5.11 Policy

The Harbour Authority will ensure whenever possible that its views are taken into account when future Government policies on ports, harbours and the marine environment are under consideration, by:

(i) responding to all relevant Government consultations; and

(ii) attending appropriate conferences, working groups and meetings at the regional and national level.

5.12 Future Trends

The Harbour Authority will respond appropriately to new trends in recreational boating, for example: larger boats, RIBs, jet-skis and dry-sailing by:

(i) monitoring and reporting on trends in recreational boating, and proposing appropriate mechanisms to respond to them.

5.13 Financial

The Harbour Authority is committed to maintaining and managing the harbour cost-effectively and within the available resources by:

(i) operating within the agreed annual budget, controlling expenditure to ensure that it remains within income generation capacity;

(ii) managing and maintaining and, where necessary, replacing the Harbour Authority's existing estate, assets and facilities;

(iii) refining procedures to ensure that appropriate Harbour Dues are collected from all appropriate waterborne River users;

(iv) monitoring and controlling the 2010/11 budget, planning the 2011/12 budget and maximising value for money; and

(v) identifying and exploiting alternative sources for revenue generation, in order to ease the burden on Harbour Dues payers.

5.14 Staff

The Harbour Authority wishes to employ and retain a well-motivated, properly trained staff and provide regular training for Harbour Board and Management Committee Members by:

(i) providing and encouraging training and personal development for all staff through the Individual Performance Planning (IPP) process;

(ii) adhering to the principles of Investors in People (IiP);

(iii) ensuring that available manpower is employed in the most cost-effective manner possible;

(iv) organising training events and opportunities for Harbour Board and Management Committee Members; and

5.15 Equalities and Accessibility

The Harbour Authority is committed to ensure that it complies with all equalities and accessibility legislation by:

(i) ensuring that equalities and accessibility are taken into account in all activities and decisions of the Harbour Authority.

5.16 Review

The Harbour Authority is committed to reviewing plans, policies and procedures at intervals of five years or less, by:

(i) establishing a five-year rolling programme to ensure that all plans, policies and procedures are up-to-date and fit for purpose; and

(ii) scoping and setting objectives for a review of the capacity of the River Hamble.

6. Performance Monitoring

6.1 The main performance monitoring mechanism for the Harbour Authority is the six-monthly Port Marine Safety Code compliance audit carried out by the Designated Person (currently Captain Mark Capon of Marine Enforcement). Hampshire County Council carries out routine financial monitoring and audits, performance audits, Health and Safety checks and checks on progress against this Business Plan. The Crown Estate audits the management of moorings and the waiting list, and the associated finances.

6.2 Performance can also be monitored by customer satisfaction, through informal and formal feedback to the Harbour Authority, including mooring and berth holders, waterborne visitors, works consent applicants, commercial operators, sailing and yacht clubs, environmental groups and River user organisations. Performance indicators such as the number of complaints received (written or verbal), or the number of thanks received (written or verbal) can provide an indication of weaknesses or strengths in particular areas of service, but must be set against the context of the differing priorities of customers.

6.3 The most useful performance measures are thus:

(i) compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code, as audited six-monthly;

(ii) achievement in Hampshire County Council financial audits;

(iii) achievement in Hampshire County Council performance audits;

(iv) achievement in Health and Safety checks;

(v) achievement in Crown Estate audits;

(vi) completion of the actions in this annual business plan;

(vii) adherence to Hampshire County Council policies for the implementation of e-government; and

(viii) compliance with ISO 9001:2000 and IiP requirements.

ANNEX A

2010 - 2011 ACTION PLAN

SERIAL	ACTION	TIMESCALE
1	To consider recommendations from the Management Committee resulting from the conclusions of the Select Committee, as approved by the Harbour Board on 18 September 2009.	By June 2010
2	Work towards an acceptable method of agreeing, measuring and monitoring the carrying capacity of the River.	Contribute to work of Solent Forum recreational sub-group throughout 2010
3	Arrange Annual Forum for 2011.	Arrangements in place and event planned by end Feb 2011, to take place late Mar 2011.
4	Consider options for enhancing visitor facilities at Hamble and Warsash.	December 2010
5	Respond to all relevant Government consultations.	All responses to be completed to meet Government deadlines.
6	Continue to refine procedures to ensure that Harbour Dues are collected from all eligible waterborne River users.	Ongoing.
7	Investigate enhancements to tender storage facilities	Options and funding investigated by Sep 2010
8	Consider options for possible improvements to River Taxi service	December 2010
9	Investigate opportunities for land purchase to ease parking congestion around the harbour	March 2011

ANNEX B

2009 - 2010 ACTION PLAN - ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

SERIAL	ACTION	REMARKS
1	Finalise the implementation of the changes to the governance arrangements resulting from the Haskoning Review (as approved by the Harbour Board and County Council)	Complete
2	Procure new aerial photographs of the river.	See Marine Director's current issues
3	Work towards an acceptable method of agreeing, measuring and monitoring the carrying capacity of the River.	Contribute to work of Solent Forum recreational sub-group throughout 2009. Ongoing. Phase 1 research almost complete
4	Arrange Annual Forum for 2010.	Arrangements complete.
5	Consider options for enhancing visitor facilities at Hamble and Warsash.	Ongoing
6	Respond to all relevant Government consultations.	Complete to date
7	Continue to refine procedures to ensure that Harbour Dues are collected from all eligible waterborne River users.	Ongoing
8	Implement enhancements to the Harbour Management System software, to include searches by receipt number	Complete
9	Review of Harbour Dues for rowing boats and canoes	Complete
10	Carry out three-yearly Safety Management System consultation	Complete, but not yet reported to the Harbour Board (due January 2010)