Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services to review the fees and charges for the Harbour Authority.

The Board considered a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services reviewing the fees and charges for the Harbour Authority.

The Board noted the proposal to increase the launching fee for Personal Water Craft/Jet Skis from £5 to £10 to bring charges into closer alignment with those levied elsewhere in the Solent (following research other authorities were charging between £10 and £14). This had also been brought about following the recent increase in Jet Ski activity on the River particularly throughout the 2020 summer months.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board approves the fees and charges set out below and to advertise them on the River Hamble website.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services to review the fees and charges for the Harbour Authority.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services in setting of fees and charges.

Members heard that the demand for moorings on the River continued to be extremely high. It was noted that 2% fee struck a good balance with surrounding local harbours and the increased work put in by staff due to need to train new paddle boat users.

The Committee noted the £10,900 income in visitor fees received by the end of July which was down from £18,000 in previous years and a greater than usual income from displaced jet skis. It was confirmed that the proposed increase in jet ski launch fees from £5 to £10 was merited to bring the Harbour charges more closely into line with charges levied elsewhere in the Solent and also due to the effort put into educating new craft users to ensure safety. The Committee queried whether an increase to £10 was in line with other local harbours. In response, it was confirmed that the proposed fees were broadly comparable and that some other harbours charged more.

Members queried the capacity of the Harbour Authority and on the River itself if the increase in people holidaying locally may overwhelm resources and space on the water. In reply it was stated that there was no issue with water capacity and that there existed plenty of space for jet skis.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends to the

Harbour Board to approve the fees and charges set out in the report