Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Rupert Kyrle and Councillor Stephen Philpott. Councillor Pam Bryant attended as a deputy on behalf of Councillor Philpott.

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 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 Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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 Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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 Hugh Lumby declared a personal interest as a consultant for a law firm that advised the Royal Southern Yacht Club;
Councillor Rod Cooper declared a personal interest as a berth holder at the yacht club at Hamble.
Councillor Trevor Cartwright and Steve Masters declared interests as members of the Royal Yachting Association.

Nicola Walsh declared a personal interest as an employee of Marina Ltd.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 June 2021.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations for the meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman confirmed that it was Rupert Boissier’s last meeting, having been on the Management Committee since 2005. The Committee and Harbour Master thanked Rupert for his counsel and advice over the years and wished him all the best for the future.

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 received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 6 in the minute book), which summarised the incidents and events which had taken place in the Harbour and addressed issues currently under consideration by the Harbour Master.

It was highlighted that a General Director no. 3 had been issued, which made it clear to those in charge of Personal Watercraft (PWC) that all Rules and Bye Laws applied to them within the River Hamble, just as to all other craft. So far this had been well received.

The Committee were given an outline of the history and issues with the drainage pipes leading from the M27 bridge after 14 years of highlighting the issues to Highways England (HE). It was anticipated that funding would be sought to make the necessary improvements as part of the ongoing work along the M27 and the Harbour Master continued to await an update from HE.

On page 20 of the pack in appendix 1, the incident that had taken place on 5 October (paragraph 12.66) was discussed and it was agreed that it had been dealt with effectively and according to procedure. The recommendations within the Port Marine Safety Code Audit (appendix 2) were summarised to the Committee.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee supported the contents of this report to the Harbour Board.

To consider a renewal request of the Harbour Works Consent for the Relocation of Existing Access Bridge and Installation of New Public Access Pontoon at Deacons Marina.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 7 in the minute book), regarding an extension to the timeframe of a previously granted Harbour Works Consent that was approaching expiration.

The project had been delayed due to the pandemic and it was acknowledged that it was very extenuating circumstances.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee supported the

recommendation to the River Hamble Harbour Board to approve renewal for a

further 3 years of the Harbour Works Consent for the Relocation of Existing

Access Bridge and Installation of New Public Access Pontoon at Deacons

Marina.

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

The Committee received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 8 in the minute book), which summarised activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between May and mid-November 2021.

It was highlighted that whilst many activities were regulated, it was important to identify activities that had impacts on the river such as bait-digging, littering and paddle boarding that there was less control over.

A lot of work had been done to try and educate paddle-boarders on protected areas for nesting and try and guide them on where it was best to enter the water. Work also continued in monitoring nitrates and water quality and a partnership group led by the Environment Agency focussed on this.

It was confirmed that a recent deceased swan that had been found had been discovered as being over 20years old via reporting its leg ring, which was a fantastic testament to the environment it had been living in around the River Hamble.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee noted and supported the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Operations and Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the 2021/22 outturn forecast and the proposed 2022/23 forward budget for the River Hamble.

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Corporate Operations and Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 9 in the minute book) on the 2021/22 outturn forecast as at the end of September 2021 and the proposed 2022/23 forward budget.

It was highlighted that the River Hamble was projected to achieve a

surplus of £57,000 on revenue funded expenditure, compared to a revised

budgeted surplus of £59,000. The proposed budget for 2022/23 would generate a surplus on revenue funded expenditure of £37,000, which would potentially increase the Revenue Reserve to £67,829.

The balance in the Revenue Reserve was expected to increase to £65,829 by the end of March 2022 following the transfer of the £22,000 surplus from revenue after the £35,000 agreed contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve, and balance would therefore be in excess of the 10% of the gross revenue budget set out as the maximum in the reserves policy. To ensure the Revenue Reserve balance remained below the maximum set out in the reserves policy, it was proposed that the £12,000 cost of the pump at Warsash Jetty instead be funded from revenue rather than the Asset Enhancement Reserve (AER).

RESOLVED

a) The projected outturn for the 2021/22 financial year was noted.

b) The proposed forward budget was supported by the River Hamble Harbour

Management Committee for submission to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.

c) The balances held within the reserves and the position on the reserve

balances were noted.

d) The proposal to fund the pump replacement at Warsash jetty from revenue,

rather than the Asset Enhancement Reserve as budgeted, was supported by the Management Committee for submission to the River Hamble Board for approval

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the annual review of fees and charges applicable to the River Hamble.

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 10 in the minute book), which summarised the annual review of fees and charges applicable to the River Hamble.

Whilst the proposed increases were below inflation, it was felt that this provided good value for money whilst being an adequate enough increase to benefit the River Hamble Harbour Authority.

Members discussed the potential impacts of the increasing storms and climate change, but were reassured that the River Hamble was quite sheltered and the newer works were very resilient. However, it would be monitored going forward.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommended to the

River Hamble Harbour Board approval of the fees and charges set out in the report and advertise them on the River Hamble Harbour Authority website.

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 received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 11 in the minute book), which summarised the forward plan for the Management Committee.

RESOLVED

The forward plan was noted by the Committee.