Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Birkett, Councillor Rich, Trevor Pountain and Dermod O’Malley.

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 the circumstances described in 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 Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 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 Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 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 Rod Cooper declared an interest as a mooring holder and as a non-executive Board Director at the RAF Yacht Club; Ms Nicola Walsh declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest as an employee of Premier Marinas and as a mooring holder; Cllr Cartwright declared Personal Interests as a member of Warsash Sailing Club and the Royal Yachting Association; Mr Rupert Boissier declared an interest as a mooring holder.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 March 2018.

The minutes of the Committee meeting held on 9 March 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

There were no announcements.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services summarising incidents and events in the Harbour and covering issues currently under consideration by the Marine Director.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) regarding incidents and events in the Harbour.

An addendum was distributed at the meeting which outlined those events which had occurred since the publication of the papers.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the content of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services summarising recent environmental management of the Harbour.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

The report summarised environmental management of the Hamble Estuary during spring 2018.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the content of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services setting out an application for Harbour Works Consent.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services setting out an application for Harbour Works Consent (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

It was confirmed that recommendation 1.1a (listed as ‘a’ below) had been incorporated following consultation with Natural England to ensure that the proposed mooring location be moved so that it is outside of the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends to the River Hamble Harbour Board to approve Harbour Works Consent for the proposal set out in Section 4 of this report and subject to the following conditions:

a.    That the proposal is to be built in accordance with the details, plans and method submitted as set out in Appendix 1a and Appendix 1b, with the exception that the proposed mooring location is to be moved inshore so that it is located outside of the Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation.

b.    That the final design of the mooring arrangement, location and the method statement for installation are to be submitted to and approved by the Harbour Master in advance of construction.

c.    That the maximum length overall of the vessel to be moored is to be 13 metres.

d.    That the existing mooring buoys located on the intertidal area within the creek are to be removed prior to installation of the new buoys.

e.    That all equipment, temporary structures, waste and/or debris associated with the licensed activities is to be removed upon completion of the licensed activities.

f.     That Harbour Dues are to be payable on any vessel occupying the mooring.

g.    That the development must be completed within 3 years from the date of the approval granted by the Harbour Board.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services setting out an application for Harbour Works Consent.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services setting out an application for Harbour Works Consent (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends to River Hamble Harbour Board that it grants Harbour Works Consent for the proposal set out in Section 4 of this report and subject to the following conditions:

a.    That the proposal to the sea wall be built in accordance with the details, plans and method set out in Appendix 1a and Appendix 1b.

b.    That the method statement is to be submitted to and approved by the Harbour Master in advance of construction.

c.    That the applicant should ensure that only coatings and treatments that are suitable for use in the marine environment are used in accordance with best environmental practice. That all reasonable precautions will be undertaken to ensure no pollutants enter the waterbody.

d.    That all equipment, temporary structures, waste and/or debris associated with the activities is to be removed upon completion of the works.

e.    That the development must be completed within 3 years from the date of the approval granted by the Harbour Board.

To consider a report of Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services presenting the final accounts for the financial year 2017/18.

The Committee considered the report of the Directors of Corporate Services – Corporate Resources and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the final accounts for 2017/18.

Members of the Committee were grateful to the officers for presenting a comprehensive finance report.

As part of the discussion, it was confirmed that the contract for patrol boats was due for renewal within the next year and that officers were exploring options for the replacement and/or renewal of the boats.

RESOLVED:

1.1.        That this report, the statutory accounts and management accounts be noted by the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.

1.2.        That the Committee notes the level of the General Reserve as at 31 March 2018 of £35,294, and that the balance has reduced under the stated level of no more than 10% of the gross revenue budget, as set out in the reserves policy.

1.3.        That the Committee notes that, without any changes to the budget for 2018/19, the expectation is that the General Reserve will reduce to £12,294 at the end of 2018/19.

1.4.        That the Committee recommends to the Harbour Board that the 2018/19 budget is revised so that:

a.    Expenditure relating to patrol boat engine replacements is funded from the Asset Replacement Reserve rather than from revenue

b.    Expenditure relating to the maintenance of public jetties and navigational safety is funded from the Asset Replacement Reserve rather than from revenue.

c.    Expenditure relating to future asset engineering surveys is funded from the Asset Replacement Reserve rather than from revenue.

d.    That the staffing budget is increased to reflect the higher pay award to staff of 2%.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services in respect of the rate of Harbour Dues for 2019.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book).

The Committee considered options for setting the annual rate of Harbour Dues.

Following Members’ questions it was confirmed that the demand for moorings remained high and that the intention behind the proposed 1.5% Harbour Dues increase was to cover the costs of the Harbour Authority, including staffing costs following the recent Local Government pay award, and not to make excessive profit.

All Members participated in the discussion and agreed the below recommendation in accordance with the existing dispensation, under Section 33(2) (a) and (c) of the Localism Act expiring on 31 July 2021, enabling all Members to fully participate and vote in any business of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee when they would otherwise be prevented from doing so by virtue of a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest arising from holding a mooring on the River Hamble.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends to the River Hamble Harbour Board the approval of an increase in Harbour Dues of 1.5% for 2019

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services giving an update on the proceedings of the 2018 Annual Forum.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the proceedings of the Annual Forum held on 26 March 2018.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services anticipating future business items for the Committee and Harbour Board.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with regard to the future business items for the Committee and Harbour Board agendas (Item 13 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the report.