Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Burgess, with Cllr Bryant substituting.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code.  Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Councillor Dunning declared an interest as a member of the Royal Yachting Association; John Selby declared interests as a trustee of Warsash Sailing Club, a committee member of the Royal Yachting Association, of the River Hamble Combined Clubs and of the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association; Councillor Rod Cooper declared an interest as a mooring holder and as a member of the RAF Yacht Club.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 December 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2023 were agreed as a correct record subject to an amendment to Cllr R Cooper’s interest declaration: he declared an interest as a mooring holder and as a member of the RAF Yacht Club.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Vice-Chairman advised that Hugh Lumby had recently resigned as a county councillor.  The Council meeting in May would be appointing a new Chairman. 

Committee members joined the vice-Chairman in thanking Hugh Lumby for his services as Chairman since 2021.  The Vice-Chairman agreed to write to Hugh Lumby to express this.

To record formally RHHA patrol operations and inform the Duty Holder of significant events and trends having a bearing on the Marine Safety Management System.

The Committee received the report and supplementary report to record formally RHHA patrol operations and inform the Duty Holder of significant events and trends having a bearing on the Marine Safety Management System. 

The Marine Director highlighted the Trinity House inspection – this had been compliant, but three red lights had deteriorated and needed to be addressed.

The report showed a breakdown of the numbers of incidents and events attended by the harbour staff.  A need to revisit sites had pushed up the reported number of environmental incidents.

The Committee supported the contents of this report to the Harbour Board.

To summarise activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between December 2023 and February 2024.

The Committee received a report to summarise activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between December 2023 and February 2024. 

In terms of water quality, the Harbour Authority had limited jurisdiction over land derived sewage discharges although was involved in initiatives to reducing boat-derived.  It was hoped to re-arrange the presentation by Southern Water for the June meeting.

The new Handbook was highlighted and the vice Chair commented on the Oyster video shown after the previous meeting.

The River Hamble Management Committee noted and supported the report. 

To convey the condition of essential operational assets, indicate levels of associated maintenance expenditure and judge whether the Asset Replacement Reserve (ARR) is being maintained at an adequate level.

The Committee received the annual report to convey the condition of essential operational assets, indicate levels of associated maintenance expenditure and judge whether the Asset Replacement Reserve (ARR) is being maintained at an adequate level.

The Marine Director highlighted the effect of inflation on costs, such as for replacing piles.  He advised that the Harbour Board was accumulating funds into reserves at the right rate (a planned £42k this year).  He also highlighted the gain in fuel-efficiency derived from the new patrol boats.

RESOLVED

That the Committee proposes that the River Hamble Harbour Board approves:

a. That this report be taken into account alongside the annual statutory

accounts in setting Harbour Dues for 2024/25 at the June Board meeting;

b. The contribution from Revenue to the Replacement Reserve should

remain as planned at £42,000 in 2024/25 and continued note be taken of the

need for frequency and amount of potential future increases.

To set out the key issues which it is anticipated will appear on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board agendas in the forthcoming months.

The Committee received the report setting out the key issues which it is anticipated will appear on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board agendas in the forthcoming months.

The Committee approved the circulated Forward Plan for 2024.