Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Pal Hayre, Rupert Kyrle and Frank Pearson and from Trevor Bryant and Dermod O’Malley.

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 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.

Councillor Rod Cooper declared an interest as a mooring holder and as a non executive Board Director at the RAF Yacht Club; Councillor Cartwright declared interests as a member of the Royal Yachting Association; Mr John Selby declared interests as a trustee of Warsash Sailing Club; a committee member of the Royal Yachting Association, of the River Hamble Combined Clubs and of the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 June 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 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 considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities

and Business Services regarding incidents and events in the Harbour.

The recurring seasonal issues of anti-social behaviour and swimming throughout summer months were highlighted. This had not had any impact upon the Harbour Authority’s capacity to maintain navigational safety on the river.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee 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 Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities

and Business Services with an update on environmental matters.

Members acknowledged the breadth and depth of work being undertaken across the board. Members also noted that the climate change agenda was integrated into all environmental projects being conducted with a particular focus upon water based activity and developments.

With reference to section 5 of the report, as part of the discussion, it was confirmed that the marinas and boatyards provided efficient and well used boat cleaning and pump out facilities.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the content of

the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services setting out options for income adjustments.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services setting out a number of options for financial management which could impact upon the budget setting for 2020-2021.

As part of the discussion, Members noted that extensive research into the possible options and comparison with other authorities to ensure consistency had been conducted. Extensive work had been conducted with commercial operators who had provided data to inform the recommendations.

Members were aware that the options would be incorporated into the budget setting for 2020/21 to address the potential financial deficit but that no final decision was required at this stage on any of the fees, charges and proposals contained within the report.

In response to questions, Members heard that:

·         The annual deficit mentioned within section 1 of the report referred to the decreasing balance of the Revenue Reserve. Were the financial issues not addressed, the current rate of contributions meant that the position was unsustainable.

·         The seasonal nature of sailing meant that some dry stacks would likely be vacant at certain points within the year but that this was a matter of fact for all commercial operators.

·         The anticipated additional contributions from the proposals within the report would generate roughly £30,000 annually.

·         Communication of the final decision, to be taken by the River Hamble Harbour Board, on the income options and final budget for 2020/21 would be crucial. Members were supportive of this and agreed that key messages regarding fees and charges should be promoted widely to all stakeholders.

·         The proposed amounts were based upon analysis of several factors and were deemed reasonable based on that of other Harbours in the Solent. The figures proposed would also maintain a competitive offer.

RESOLVED

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes and supports the following options being taken forward for Board consideration with any increases being incorporated into next year’s budget:

(i)     To apply a flat rate charge for Harbour Dues in respect of all dry-stacked vessel berths for each berth per annum at a rate to be decided, enabling a flexible launching regime and ensuring that Harbour Dues are paid in respect of launches which are not currently captured.

The Management Committee were supportive of an indicative flat rate of £61.50 less 10% but were aware in agreeing this recommendation that the figure recommended to the Board could change incrementally if new data became available in advance of the Board meeting on 10 January 2020.

(ii)    To apply the following annual Harbour Authority mooring rates for permanently moored fishing vessels at Warsash:

§  <8m - £1000

§  >8m - <9.5m - £1100

§  >9.5m - £1200

(iii)   To increase daily launching charges, payable according to length overall and power as follows:

§  Under 6m and under 10hp – free;

§  Under 6m and over 10hp - £5 (formerly £4);

§  Over 6m and over 10hp - £8 (formerly £6).

                        And to increase Visitors’ Rates to the following:

§  Warsash Jetty

·                     Short stay (up to 4  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

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.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends to the

Harbour Board to approve the fees and charges set out in the report and that these be advertised on the River Hamble website.

To consider a report of the Directors of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the forecast outturn for 2019/20 and the forward budget for 2020/21.

The Committee considered the report of the Directors of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services and Culture, Communities and Business Services.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the revised budget for the 2019/20 financial year is supported by the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.

ii)            That the projected outturn for the 2019/20 financial year is noted.

iii)           That the proposed forward budget is supported by the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.

iv)           That the impact of the triennial actuarial pension valuation in removing the past service payments from 2020/21, and that this could change at the next valuation, is noted.

v)            That the balances held within the reserves and the impact of anticipated cost pressures on the general reserve balance are noted.

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 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 Management Committee notes the report.