Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Rupert Kyrle. Councillor Dominic Hiscock was in attendance as the Liberal Democrat group deputy.

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 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 11 September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed Captain Stephen Masters to his first meeting as the new representative for Associated British Ports. The Chairman thanked Captain Phil Buckley for the time that he had served on the Committee.

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.

It was noted that on 18 November a review of safety took place by designated person in advance of deadline for certification of compliance on 31 March 2021 and that the inspection had passed.

It was confirmed that in November a paper audit took place and records were found in good order, confirming status as Category C local lighthouse authority.

Finally, with regards to paragraph 8 of the report, it was confirmed that the Harbour Works Consent was live and it was anticipated that it would be brought before Committee in the next round of meetings.

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.

It was confirmed that there had been discussions held with all marinas and yards to confirm that the Harbour has sufficient waste facilities in line with merchant shipping port waste legislation, and the review of the Hamble Port Waste Management Plan had been approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The Committee received an update on the seawall repair around the Harbour Office and it was confirmed that planning permission had been granted. It was expected that the Marine Licence would come through from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in the next few weeks. Members heard that the Environment Agency application was also underway.

It was noted that a biodiversity net gains reports had been created on barren surfaces like seawalls.

A water quality workshop had been held which had received a positive response with strong local engagement. It was stated that there was strong support from interested groups for improved waste facilities for dealing with “Black waste” from vessels into the water. Members heard that the pump out at the Harbour Authority was also being replaced and was progressing.

A question was asked regarding section 6 of the report on what the expected outcome for unpermitted developments was going to be based on actions taking place. In reply, it was noted that different authorities were involved and would react in different ways. With planning authorities, it would depend if there had been a breach of planning policy. It was confirmed that discussions with these various authorities was ongoing.

A question was raised regarding related to nitrate monitoring and whether this was taking place and asked if a drop had taken place since Natural England had raised it as an issue. Members also queried whether MPs were providing any insights or help in the environment Bill’s passage. In reply, it was confirmed that Harbour Authority does not monitor nitrates as that is role of a different authority. Regarding MPs, it was confirmed that MPs were providing support and that this support had been helpful including correspondence at senior level.

In regard to a question regarding what was happening to funding previously allocated to M27 drainage pipe project, it was noted that Highway England had re-released funds back to budget pot to be used for other projects. A new round of funding would thus be required. Frustration was expressed by several members that M27 drainage issue was still ongoing despite being an ongoing concern for many years and that the works to resolve the issue had been delayed.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends that the Chairman of the River Hamble Harbour Board writes in the strongest terms to Highways England, and also to the Members of Parliament for Eastleigh, for Fareham and for Meon Valley strongly urging for their support in bringing about improvements to the M27 bridge drainage.

ii)            That the River Hamble Harbour  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

To consider a report of the Directors of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the forecast outturn for 2020/21 and the forward budget for 2021/22.

The Committee considered the report of the Directors of Corporate Services – Corporate Resources and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the forecast outturn for 2020/21 and the forward budget for 2021/22.

It was noted that there was a £90,000 surplus on revenue activity which was £3,000 higher than expected, with £35,000 out towards asset replacement reserve and £50,000 towards revenue reserve. It was noted that Covid had impacted on visitor revenues though optimism was expressed that it would rise going forwards. It was noted that increased Harbour Dues had meant increased revenue, and that seasonal staff costs were different from previous years due to Covid. The Committee noted that the annual Hamble Games had been cancelled and other seasonal work had also been cancelled.

Regarding the forward budget, Members noted that it was providing for a surplus of £62,000, which would enable the £35,000 contribution to asset replacement reserve to be made and a further £27,000 added to the revenue reserve, taking that up to £82,000. No provision for Covid costs had been made in the forward budget due to the uncertainty. The proposed expenditure budget was a £34,000 increase on the current budget mainly to cover increased staffing costs resulting from pay inflation and to bring overtime costs in line with actual expenditure (although it was highlighted that the proposed budget was set before the recently announced public sector ’pay freeze’), with other increases including £5,000 for the biennial bathymetric survey.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Budget for the 2020/21 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 2020/21 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.

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

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 regarding the future business items for the Committee and Harbour Board agendas.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the report.