Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies received from Councillor House.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Board held on 12 April 2024.

Following some minor amendments the minutes were approved.

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 shared his thanks to Councillor Woodward for his services as Chairman of the Harbour Board and welcomed Councillor Latham as Vice Chairman.

The Recreational Sailing Representative welcomed Councillor Ford as the new Chairman.

To review the minutes of the previous meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 14 June 2024.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 14 June 2024.

To record formally RHHA patrol operations and inform the Duty Holder of significant events and trends having a bearing on the Marine Safety Management System.

The Board reviewed the Marine Director's comprehensive report, which outlined recent incidents and ongoing matters within the Harbour, including a supplementary document detailing events up to 2 July 2024. An increase in anti-social behaviour at Lands’ End Road was observed, surpassing last year's rates. Premier Marina has been consulted, and the local police have been proactive and effective in their response. Residents are encouraged to document disturbances and report them to the authorities, rather than confronting the individuals directly.

The Recreational Sailing Representative asked for a report to be made at the next meeting regarding an incident involving a pontoon securing failure during Storm NELSON.

The Environmental Management Representative expressed gratitude to the Marine Director for their support during a recent incident. The Marine Director confirmed that incident logs are regularly disseminated to Stakeholders, colleagues, and Marinas. The Vice Chairman praised the Marine Director's educational approach in managing river activities.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board supported the contents of the report.

To summarise activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between March and May 2024.

The Board received a report detailing the River Hamble Harbour Authority's environmental management activities for the Hamble Estuary from March to May 2024.

The presence of seahorses in the River, which has garnered media attention for the first time, was highlighted. A seagrass restoration scheme is under consideration by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, with further details to be confirmed in due course.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board noted and expressed its support for the report's contents.

To present the final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ended 31 March 2024 and the original budget and forecast outturn for the year ended 31 March 2025 to the River Hamble Harbour Board for consideration.

The Board reviewed the Harbour Authority's final accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024, alongside the original budget and the forecast for the year ending 31 March 2025.

The final outturn for 2023/24 was largely as anticipated, with a necessary draw from the Revenue Reserve to enable the full agreed contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve to be made, slightly deviating from predictions due to adverse weather conditions. Despite a decrease in the Asset Replacement Reserve resulting from the recent new patrol boat purchases, the situation remains manageable. However, it was highlighted that given the small, planned draws from the Revenue Reserve in recent years and that the annual contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve is expected to be increased in the near future, it may be prudent to consider a slightly bigger increase in Harbour Dues now, to prevent significant future rises in dues.

The Marine Director commended the Finance team for their diligent work throughout the year, and also emphasised the Harbour Authority’s growing reputation for fiscal prudence. The Board was informed that the Asset Replacement Reserve undergoes an annual review in March to account for manufacturing cost increases, which exceed inflation rates. It was noted that the projected minimum balance within the Asset Replacement Reserve is now £161,000 in 2035, up from £130,000.

In response to the Recreational Sailing Representative's inquiry about the forecast future increased balance of the ARR, it was clarified that the future minimum holding policy of the ARR would be subject to a review paper later.

RESOLUTION

The Board approved the report, the statutory accounts, and the management accounts for 2023/24, and took note of the forecast for the 2024/25 financial year.

To analyse the financial position of the River Hamble Harbour Undertaking in order to make a recommendation on any change in Harbour Dues that may be necessary.

The Board examined the financial analysis of the River Hamble Harbour Undertaking and considered a proposed 4% increase in Harbour Dues, which would amount to an illustrative £9.91 increase for a 10-metre boat.

The proposed increase was discussed at length, with due consideration given to many factors such as the primary sources of income and weather-related uncertainties, the largely positive feedback on the proposed 4% received in discussions with the Mooring Holders’ Association and Commercial representatives, steps already being taken to minimise resource requirements, the current rate of inflation, and the context of challenging economic times.

The Board noted that the River Hamble Management Committee RECOMMENDED that the River Hamble Harbour Board approve an increase in Harbour Dues of 4% for 2024/25.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board approved the 4% increase in Harbour Dues for the fiscal year 2024/25, by a majority vote, with the Recreational Sailing Representative abstaining.

To set 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 Board reviewed a report outlining anticipated key issues for upcoming River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board meetings.

Southern Water's attendance at the June 2024 meeting was deferred to September 2024 due to the pre-election period.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board noted the contents of the report.