Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

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. David Jobson declared non pecuniary interests including memberships of the Royal Southern Yacht Club; RAF Yacht Club; Royal Yachting Association and as a midstream mooring holder. Chris Moody declared a non pecuniary interest as a member of Warsash Sailing Club.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 January 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

With regard to minute number 68, Members heard that a response from the Highways Authority had been received and that the project to decommission the outlet pipes that currently drain the M27 bridge runoff into the River will be considered for incorporation into the smart motorway works.

With regard to minute number 71, it was confirmed that no response had been received from the Hamble Lifeboat Station. The Marine Director reported that he was due to meet with Councillor Cohen of Hamble Parish Council and that any update from this meeting would be provided to Board members.

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 15 March 2019.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour

Management Committee meeting held on 15 March 2019.

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 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.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Captain Andy Langford summarised some of the findings from the Port Marine Safety Code Audit (attached as Appendix 1 to the main report) for Members’ information.

The Board requested that the information shown within the graph on page 15 of the pack, be represented as two graphs for future reports and that more detail be given to explain the criteria along the x axis. It was suggested that the areas with high activity be shown in a separate graph to those areas with lower activity to clearly show the difference from year to year.

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.

With regard to paragraph 3.6 of the report, it was noted that the Harbour Authority were working with IT Services to introduce a moorings layer to the existing interactive ‘Riverview’ map.

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 regarding the Harbour Authority Business Plan.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services reviewing the Harbour Authority Business Plan.

Members noted that new national Government policy was likely to be set out over the upcoming year as a result of Brexit implications and that, whilst the details were not yet clear, it would be worth noting this within the Business Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the Board note the content of the Business Plan.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the register of assets and replacement schedule.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the register of Harbour Authority assets and timescales for replacement.

The Board discussed in detail the contribution of £35,000 from revenue to the Asset Replacement Reserve. Members agreed that this was set at the correct level to enable the necessary funds to accrue in line with the rate set out within the asset register.

Members were supportive of the Harbour Authority’s approach to financial management and were pleased that the replacement of assets and related expenditure had been carefully considered. Members noted that the information would be important to inform the setting of Harbour Dues at a future meeting of the Board.

Members requested that the cumulative spend, as shown within the graph on page 50 of the pack, also be represented as a bar chart showing the individual areas of spending within any future reports.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board take this report into account alongside the annual statutory accounts in setting Harbour Dues for 2019/20 at a future Board meeting.

To consider a report of the Directors of Corporate Resources and Culture, Communities and Business Services with information on future options for the Harbour Authority.

The Board considered the report of the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources setting out options for discussion regarding the future management of the Harbour Authority’s finances.

Members were presented with the context and background to the report including information on how the rate of Harbour Dues had fluctuated over previous years, how reserves had been managed and how the Harbour Authority might manage its finances in future years to ensure sustainability and fulfil its statutory duties.

It was clearly outlined to Members that the aim of the report was not to agree Harbour Dues for 2020 but rather to take into consideration the current status quo and discuss the potential financial management options available to the Board with a possible impact upon 2020 Harbour Dues. It was outlined that the 2020 Harbour Dues would be agreed at a later Board meeting, having been reviewed by the Management Committee, and that this report, the Asset Register report (Minute Number 82) and the end of year accounts for 2018/19 would be used to jointly inform decision making on the setting of Harbour Dues for 2020.

As part of the discussion, items raised included:

• The importance of engaging with visitors to ensure the suitability of the River’s ‘visitor offer’ and to reach out to potential visitors with attractive marketing. This could help to generate external income for the service. That said, the statutory duty of the Harbour Authority in ensuring navigational safety was always the priority.
• The potential to review the charging structure for moorings to ensure that more moorings were let out and to produce additional income. The options here included:

·      Introducing an increased charge for in-demand moorings to generate more income.

·      Introducing a decreased charge for  less used moorings (those for vessels under 9m in length) to encourage usage.

·      Continuing to advertise moorings widely across Hampshire and beyond.

• The option to review the Harbour Authority’s contractual arrangements was due for renewal. Members felt that aspects of the contract could be reviewed as part of these discussions.
• The Board noted that raising Harbour Dues should not be considered as the sole option and that it would be worthwhile exploring other avenues (including reviewing the discount offered to commercial operators) whilst maintaining the statutory service that is required

The discussion also focused upon the potential to develop a programme of future opportunities and whether it would be appropriate to support this with a further increase in Harbour Dues. Members were supportive of possible involvement with other projects, although felt that this did not necessarily need to result in a Harbour Dues increase and that other options could be explored.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Harbour Board notes the growing shortfall between the projected net annual surplus on revenue activities and the £35,000 balance agreed to be transferred to the Asset Replacement Reserve.

2. That the Harbour Board recognises that an increase in Harbour Dues for the 2020 calendar year, currently projected to be 5.1%, is likely to be required and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

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.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report.