Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Keith House. Councillor Roger Price was in attendance as the deputy Liberal Democrat member.

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. Mr David Jobson declared Personal Interests including memberships of the Royal Southern Yacht Club; RAF Yacht Club; Royal Yachting Association and as a Midstream Mooring Holder. Mr Chris Moody declared Personal Interests as a  member of Warsash Sailing Club.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Board on 21 March 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2017 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcements on this occasion.

To receive the draft minutes of the meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 23 June 2017.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the meeting of the River

Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 23 June 2017(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 and updates from the Marine Director.

An addendum was distributed at the meeting which outlined those events which had occurred since the publication of the papers. Mr Andy Langford, in his role as the newly appointed Designated Person, was introduced to the Board and, at the invitation of the Chairman, updated members on their responsibilities collectively and individually as Duty Holders under the Port Marine Safety Code..

Members requested that, for future reports, a summary analysis of any trends and recurring issues be included at the beginning of the paper. Discussion was held regarding swimming in the River. The Board raised concerns about designating an area specifically for swimmers and the legal implications of any possible liabilities that this would entail. The Board requested a summary of swimming related issues, actions that had been undertaken and those that were planned for implementation and agreed that this update be brought to a future Board meeting.

As part of a discussion on Appendix D, the asset register, some members requested clarification of the process undertaken to transfer the River Hamble Country Park jetty from Countryside teams to River Hamble officers.  The Lease of the Jetty has always been in favour of Hampshire County Council.    Based upon the practicality of risk ownership, the return transfer process of the former Manor Farm Country Park Jetty to the RHHA commenced in 2015 and concluded on 31 May 2016.  From a lease perspective, no formal transfer process was required.

The Board discussed Appendix 6 and agreed that the statutory responsibility of the Harbour Authority was to ensure safety of River users. It was noted that recreational coordination was the responsibility of Borough and District authorities and that more work, outside of the Harbour Authority’s core responsibilities, would incur more expenditure and require increased resource to be recruited. One member indicated that, in his view, the initial request, as recorded within minute 212 of the Board meeting held on 13 January 2017, had been misinterpreted and requested that the request be recorded within the minutes as below.

‘To consider whether there is a need or an opportunity to enhance the recreational amenities on the River? If so, does the Harbour Authority have a leadership role?’

The Chairman noted that a review of the Harbour Authority’s Vision Statement was planned, to look at the direction and intended outcomes for the Authority, and that the request raised as above would be looked into as part of this review. It was agreed that separate meetings, outside of the formal Board meetings, would be arranged to conduct the review work on the Vision Statement and that an update would be provided for the Board at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board:

a)    Notes paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6.

b)    Notes that the Asset review process as outlined in Section  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services summarising 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 from mid February to mid May 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report.

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 (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

The report outlined an application, made by the YMCA Fairthorne Manor, for Harbour Works Consent to install a floating pontoon to an existing quay wall at the Fairthorne Manor water sports centre.

It was confirmed that, in reference to Recommendation D,  the Board was not legally mandated to examine individual Risk Assessments for particular projects. However, the Harbour Master noted that, for this particular project, it was planned that a comprehensive written risk assessment would be produced and that the Harbour Office intended to ensure that this was completed by an appropriately qualified person.

Members noted that, as listed within section 3.10 of the report, certain permissions were yet to be obtained from external organisations. It was agreed that this be included as an additional recommendation as outlined below at Recommendation F.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Board approves the Harbour Works Consent for the proposal set out in Section 3 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 set out in paragraph 3.5.

b)    That all reasonable precautions are undertaken to ensure no pollutants enter the water-course.

c)    That all equipment and debris associated with the works should be removed from the area upon completion of the works and the area returned to its previous condition.

d)    That the user completes a full Risk Assessment for the new pontoon arrangement to ensure that all risks to those are reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable.

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

f)     That the permissions from the Local Planning Authority, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation and The Crown Estate be obtained before any work begins on the project.

To consider a report of Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services presenting the final accounts for the financial year 2016/17.

The Board considered the report of the Directors of Corporate Resources

and Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book).

Members noted the challenges of the current financial climate for the County Council as a whole and were aware of the work ongoing into the Transformation to 2019 programme and further financial constraints that this was expected to place on the organisation.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the River Hamble Harbour Board approves this report, the statutory accounts and management accounts for 2016/17.

b)    That the Board notes the level of the General Reserve as at 31 March 2017, at £88,062, and that whilst the balance is reducing, it remains in excess of the stated level in the reserves policy.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services in respect of the rate of Harbour Dues for 2018.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities

and Business Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board approves no increase in Harbour

Dues for 2018.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services giving an update on the proceedings of the 2017 Annual Forum.

The Board 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 28 March 2017.

It was noted that a synopsis of queries and responses arising from the Forum

was appended to the report.

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 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 13 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report.