Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr McEvoy, Cllr Bryant, Cllr Burgess, and Cllr Achwal.

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.

No declarations were made.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2024.

The minutes of the meeting on the 14 June were agreed by the Committee.

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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 advised the Committee that the Southern Water presentation would now be at the end of the meeting instead of at the beginning.

To receive a presentation from Southern Water.

The Management Committee received a presentation from Southern Water, which covered their response to OFWAT’s Draft Determination of their 2025-2030 Business Plan, storm overflows in the River Hamble catchment, the Clean Rivers and Seas plan, wastewater operations, and spill reporting.

Members learned that Southern Water is striving to exceed the permits issued by the Environment Agency, recognising that these permits were established many years ago and are now outdated and insufficient. It was noted that the Environment Agency has faced severe budget cuts by the Government, resulting in increased responsibilities for Water Boards to meet legislative requirements, including what could be seen as “marking their own homework.”

Members were informed about a section on Southern Water’s website that displays any current, and recent, water issues in the area. They were encouraged to share any messages received from Southern Water with their constituents to ensure awareness of any issues or upcoming works from multiple sources. Additionally, Southern Water is collaborating extensively with local catchment groups and citizen science groups to address local issues promptly.

The use of Environmental Information Requests was also encouraged, allowing the public to access environmental information held by public authorities. This includes data on air and water quality, pollution, waste management, and land use planning.

To formally record RHHA patrol operations and inform the Duty Holder of significant events and trends .

The Committee received an update report from the Director of Universal Services (item 7 in the minute book), summarising incidents and events in the Harbour and addressing issues under consideration by the Harbour Master. A supplementary report was also provided, detailing more recent incidents recorded since the publication of the papers.

Members expressed concern at the high level of anti-social behaviour and the exposure of patrol staff to threats of violence and noted that Hampshire Police’s local resources had also been called periodically to deal with regional priorities outside the local area.  The importance of body worn cameras carried by patrol staff was again emphasised and Members were informed that members of the public did not always report incidents of anti-social behaviour to the police and often misunderstood the powers of the Harbour Authority as fellow citizens. Harbour Authority engagement was aimed at educating those who gathered at the Quay about river safety (e.g., avoiding swimming into the path of a propeller or jumping from a bridge into shallow water). It was noted that the Police had issued three Section 34 Dispersal Orders for the Hamble Quay area and the Eastleigh Borough Council Youth Options team had also been involved and helpful.

Cllr Cooper commended the river staff for their bravery in dealing with anti-social behaviour and asked the Harbour Master to convey his gratitude. Members requested that the Police be invited to attend an upcoming meeting to discuss anti-social behaviour in the River Hamble area and the Harbour Master agreed to take this forward for a future meeting.

Cllr Holes agreed that education on reporting was crucial, as the public often complained to the Parish Council before reporting to the Police, who were ultimately the only ones with the power to deal with the individuals involved. 

Cllr Philpott agreed that the safety of Harbour Authority staff is paramount and suggested raising these issues at the next Employment at Hampshire County Council Committee meeting and offered to facilitate this. The Harbour Master informed members that senior HCC Officers were already aware of the matter and had been hugely supportive.

The Committee discussed the use of signage on bridges and other areas as a deterrent. They were advised that signs were regularly replaced due to vandalism and were checked to ensure the message was up-to-date and in the correct location.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee RECOMMENDED that the River Hamble Harbour Board support the contents of the report.

To receive a report summarising activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between June and August 2024.

The Committee received an update report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 8 in the minute book).

The report was summarised, and Members highlighted ongoing concerns about motorway runoff polluting the River. Despite ongoing communications with Highways and the Government, progress towards a resolution remained limited. The Environment Development Manager assured the Committee that efforts to resolve the issue would continue, and updates would be provided at a future meeting when available.

Members praised the biodiversity restoration efforts in the River but expressed disappointment over water companies discharging wastewater near recreational areas with minimal consequences.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee noted and supported the contents of the report and RECOMMENDED that the River Hamble Harbour Board support the contents of the report.

To receive a report reviewing the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s rolling Business Plan.

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Universal Services (item 9 in the minute book), which reviewed the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s rolling Business Plan.

Members learned that the team had evolved strategy setting pillars to assess what they need to achieve. The Committee was supportive of the plan and there were no questions.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee reviewed the Business Plan with no revisions or additional items required before being considered by the River Hamble Harbour Board. The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee RECOMMENDED that the River Hamble Harbour Board support the contents of the report.

To receive a report setting out the key issues which it is anticipated will appear on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board agendas in the forthcoming months.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Universal Services (item 10 in the minute book) and noted that the December meeting will have a review of the Asset Replacement Reserve Policy.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee noted the report and RECOMMENDED that the River Hamble Harbour Board support the contents of the report.