Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Keith 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 the circumstances described in 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 Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 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. Mr David Jobson declared Personal Interests including memberships of the Royal Southern Yacht Club; RAF Yacht Club; Royal Yachting Association and as a Midstream Mooring Holder.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 October 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 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 receive the draft minutes of the meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 1 December 2017.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour

Management Committee meeting held on 1 December 2017 (Item 6 in the

Minute Book).

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 Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and

Business Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) regarding incidents and events in the Harbour and updates from the Marine Director.

Board members were pleased to hear of the results of the independent inspection of the Marine Safety Management System and the Harbour Authority’s continued compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code. Members were also pleased to hear that the recommendations from the previous inspection had been acted upon effectively. It was confirmed that the findings of the inspection would be shared with river users more widely and that the Marine Director regularly attended club meetings and local groups to keep stakeholders informed of related matters and to share feedback.

Members were grateful for the information contained within the graph at Figure 1 and requested that the numerical data showing frequency of incidents also be presented in a table alongside the graph for future reporting.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board:

a)    Endorses the independent Inspection by the Designated Person of the

Marine Safety Management System, at paragraph 5 and agrees to write a signed statement of compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

b)    Notes the remainder of the report content.

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

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and

Business Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

The report summarised environmental management of the Hamble Estuary

throughout autumn 2017.

The Board were interested to hear about the Solent Oyster Restoration Project as outlined within section 3.7 of the report. It was confirmed that the organisers were undertaking initial negotiations and baseline site surveys at the time of the meeting. It was agreed that, once it had been made available, information about the next steps of the proposed project would be brought to a future meeting of the Board.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services to review the fees and charges for the Harbour Authority.

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities

and Business Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

Discussion was held regarding the proposal to increase the rate for towing and/or movement of boats within the Harbour Authority limits (at an owner’s request) from £49 (+ VAT) to a new figure of £82 (+VAT). It was confirmed that all other fees and charges were proposed to remain at the same level as previous years. Some members expressed that they needed more information about what would be included within the towing charge before they would be able to support any increase. It was agreed that this additional information would be provided at a future Board meeting with the intention of a decision being made.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board approve the fees and charges set out within the report with the exception of the ‘Other towing/movement of boats within the Harbour Authority limits (at owners request)’ fee – as listed at the bottom of page 38.

That information regarding the breakdown of the proposed £82+VAT towing charge be brought to a future Board meeting to enable the 2018/19 fee to be agreed.

To consider a report of the Directors of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the forecast outturn for 2017/18 and the forward budget for 2018/19.

The Board considered the report of the Directors of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services and Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book).

Members were pleased to hear that operational costs had remained consistent with previous years. The Board were pleased that prudent financial management was in place, including planning ahead for any unforeseen circumstances, however some Members emphasised that the level of reserves held be regularly reviewed to ensure that the accrued rate was at an appropriate level.

It was agreed that a further breakdown of the spending over the years from the Asset Enhancement Reserve would be brought to a future meeting of the Board for information.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board:

a)    Notes the 2017/18 forecast outturn.

b)    Approved the 2018/19 forward budget as set out within 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 Board 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 (Item 11 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report.