Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1. This report provides an update on issues currently occupying the Marine Director's in-tray. These include Warsash Sailing Club's s31 objection to Harbour Dues, the Select Committee approved by the Harbour Board at its last meeting, the recent Harbour Board workshop, finances, ordering replacement Patrol Boats and procurement of new aerial photographs of the harbour.

2. Issues

2.1. Warsash Sailing Club's s31 objection. This has now been formally withdrawn by the Club, as have the seven other representations made by various organisations and individuals. The Public Inquiry (scheduled for 27 October) was therefore cancelled by the Department for Transport.

2.2. Select Committee. The Select Committee held its first meeting in public on 21 October, at which officers of Hampshire County Council were questioned on a wide range of matters pertaining to the management of the River. A second meeting was held on 23 November, at which deputations from stakeholders and members of the public were heard.

2.3. Harbour Board workshop. At a Harbour Board workshop held on 13 October, members were updated on the statutory roles and responsibilities of the Harbour Authority by Captain Mark Capon (designated person) and on the relevant environmental legislation (by Board Member, Dr Susie Tomson and the Assistant Harbour Master(Environment), Alison Fowler. Members also considered a range of ideas to enhance the assets and facilities of the harbour. Members agreed to analyse and cost these ideas in more detail before working them into firm proposals for consideration by the Management Committee and Harbour Board at future meetings.

2.4 Finances. Detailed work on preparing the revised budget for 2009/10 and

the forward budget for 2010/11, which will be reported to Management Committee and Board in January, is now nearing completion. It is clear that there is likely to be a substantial surplus on the trading account for 2009/10.

An updated agreement has been concluded with The Crown Estate relating to the management of the mid-stream moorings. As a consequence, the amount due to The Crown Estate has been calculated, and this sum covers the last three years. As previously reported, the 2008/09 final accounts included a prudent estimate of the amount payable. As a consequence, the one-off settlement is some £90,000 less than allowed, and thus there is likely to be a surplus in the region of £90,000 in 2009/10. Now that the agreement is concluded, there will be an annual settlement and the budgeted expenditure will accurately reflect the new agreement.

2.5 Order for replacement Patrol Boats. An order for two new patrol boats has now been placed with Cheetah Marine, as agreed by the Harbour Board. The new boats will be delivered in 2010 and will be up-to-date versions of the current boats, with the addition of an opening gate in the sidewall. Engines, control systems and some stainless steel work will be transferred from the existing boats. The present intention is to trade-in the existing boats. The gross cost of the new boats will be £107,000, less the trade-in allowance for the old boats. The Management Committee have requested a report on the costs and potential benefits of retaining one of the old boats (with smaller engines) in addition to the two new ones, primarily as a platform for carrying out `dirty' jobs. This report will be presented at the January 2010 meeting of the Management Committee.

2.6 Procurement of aerial photographs. Aerial photographs are an invaluable tool for managing the harbour, particularly when considering applications for works consent which affect safety and ease of navigation. They provide an additional layer of visual information about the actual location of buoys, piles, pontoons and boats which cannot be obtained from charts, maps or plans. The 2009/10 Business Plan approved the purchase of up-to-date photographs with a budget of about £4000. A considerable amount of work has gone into identifying the best solution and likely costs. Procurement of suitable photographs taken from by a fixed wing aircraft has been quoted at £8,000.

2 Recommendation

3.1 That this report be noted

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

APPENDIX 1

River Hamble Select Committee

Terms of Reference

1. The Select Committee is proposed as a means to independently review the objection to harbour dues on the River Hamble made by the Warsash Sailing Club in accordance with Section 31 of the Harbours Act 1964 thereby avoiding the considerable cost of a public enquiry.

2. The Select Committee shall comprise NINE members as follows:

One Hampshire County Councillor Councillor Seán Woodward

One Fareham Borough Councillor Councillor Trevor Cartwright

One Eastleigh Borough Councillor Councillor Susan Ingram

Three representatives of river users Michael Sterne, David Jobson and Colin Brookes

Two representatives of river businesses Rupert Boissier and Jon Eads

One representative of the RYA Bob Russell

3. The Select Committee will be chaired by Hampshire County Councillor Seán Woodward with Michael Sterne of Warsash Sailing Club as the Vice Chairman.

4. The Select Committee will publicise its work and invite any group's spokesman or any individual with an interest in the conduct of the River Hamble to appear to make representations or present written evidence including appropriate officers of Hampshire County Council.

5. The Committee will:

a. Investigate the objections by Warsash Sailing Club and the responses by the Harbour Authority

b. Consider the dues charged by the Harbour Authority to the various categories of river user and any differentials between them

c. Consider the activities carried out by the Harbour Authority and identify any that are not directly related to that body's powers and whether any additional work carried out should properly met by harbour dues payers

d. Consider what aspects of the costs and charging regime may assist in meeting the vision of the Hampshire County Council Department of Culture, Communities & Rural Affairs:

"To improve the quality of life by providing the best possible access to recreational and heritage services and assets together with developing skills and interests to ensure the better use of these valuable resources"

and the following corporate objectives:

Providing personal and social development opportunities for 13-19 year olds through youth work, for example, cultural activities, advice, information and counselling, international and residential experiences

Promoting and supporting health and healthy lifestyles for all

e. Investigate the activities of the Harbour Authority office and consider if it could achieve better efficiency and, hence, economy

and make recommendations to the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee which in turn will make recommendations to the River Hamble Harbour Board and Hampshire County Council as appropriate.

6. Timescale. The Select Committee will aim to complete its work during 2009.