Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from David Jobson.

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. Chris Moody declared a personal interest as a member of Warsash Sailing Club.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 April 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2018 were agreed 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 receive the draft minutes of the meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 8 June 2018.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee meeting held on 8 June 2018 (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

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 Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 7 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.

Members’ attention was drawn to the incidents of anti social behaviour which had increased in frequency. The Harbour Authority was liaising with Hampshire Constabulary and with Legal Services regarding particular incidents which had occurred and with a view to deter and/or manage any future incidents. It was noted that a more detailed report would be brought to a future meeting of the Board regarding the management of anti social behaviour.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board 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 Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

The report summarised environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between February and April 2018.

Discussion was held regarding the Solent Oyster Restoration Project and the intentions behind introducing the new oyster stock into the River. It was noted that the primary intention was for environmental benefit to the existing ecosystem and not to enable commercial fishing of the oyster population, although it was hoped that may be possible again in time.

In response to Members’ questions it was clarified that the vital role played by saltmarshes in protecting the coastline was multifaceted and the saltmarshes not only provided environmental benefits for the area but also economic and financial benefits through acting as a natural flood defence.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board 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.

(Councillor Keith Evans declared a conflicting interest as a member of the Planning Committee at Fareham Borough Council and left the room whilst this item was considered. Councillor Peter Latham chaired the meeting for this item only.)

The Board 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).

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 Board approves Harbour Works Consent for the proposal set out in Section 4 of this report and subject to the following conditions:

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

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

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

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

7. 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 Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services setting out an application for Harbour Works Consent (Item 10 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

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

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

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

5. 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 Board considered the report of the Directors of Corporate Services – Corporate Resources and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the final accounts for 2017/18 (Item 11 in the Minute Book).

In response to Members questions it was confirmed that the re-valuation of some Harbour Authority assets, as referred to in section 3 of the report, had been based on technical survey information supplied by Opus Engineering which had resulted in an extension to the predicted lifetime of some assets. The extension in asset lifetime had meant an adjustment to the accumulated depreciation amounts from previous years.

It was discussed that, without the recommendation to move some items of expenditure from revenue to a charge on the replacement reserve, there would be an underlying annual loss. It was noted that this would need to be reviewed in more detail for future budgets.

RESOLVED:

1.1.        That the report, the statutory accounts and management accounts are approved by the River Hamble Harbour Board.

1.2.        That the Board 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 Board 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 Harbour Board approves 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 Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book).

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

As part of the discussion, the desire to maintain a reasonable balance within the Asset Enhancement Reserve was noted to ensure that the Harbour Authority would be able to support any future projects or initiatives going forward.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board approves 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 Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing the proceedings of the Annual Forum held on 26 March 2018.

Members noted the considerably low public attendance at the Annual Forum which had only been attended by six individuals. Discussion was held regarding the financial and time/resource implications of arranging such an event and how the Forum may no longer necessarily be the most suitable way to liaise with River users.

It was agreed that the objectives of the Forum would be outlined in a report to a future River Hamble Harbour Management Committee meeting for further consideration and to establish whether the current Forum arrangement was meeting its aims. 

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report and requests that the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee considers options for the structure of future Annual Forum events.

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

The Board 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 14 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report.