Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Chris Moody.

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.

David Jobson declared personal interests as a member of both the RAF and

Royal Southern Yacht Clubs, as a midstream mooring holder and a member of

the RYA.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 July 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

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 thanked officers for their work on publicising the byelaw on speed and awareness around speeding on the water.

It was also confirmed that the M27 SMART motorway works were nearing completion, including those on the Swanwick bridge and the Chairman would be writing to the Secretary of State to further chase up mitigation measures on the bridge to prevent run-off into the river.

To receive the draft minutes of the meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 3 December 2021.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 3 December 2021.

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 received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 7 in the minute book), which summarised the incidents and events which had taken place in the Harbour and addressed issues currently under consideration by the Harbour Master.

It was highlighted that a General Director no. 3 had been issued, which made it clear to those in charge of Personal Watercraft (PWC) that all Rules and Bye Laws applied to them within the River Hamble, just as to all other craft. So far this had been well received.

It was unclear why crime incidents had decreased, although it was suspected to be related to the weather. Whilst anti-social behaviour in particular had also reduced, it was still prevalent. Safety messages were regularly published and emailed to groups and organisation, but it would be looked at as to whether this could be expanded further.

RESOLVED

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

To consider a renewal request of the Harbour Works Consent for the Relocation of Existing Access Bridge and Installation of New Public Access Pontoon at Deacons Marina.

The Board received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 8 in the minute book), regarding an extension to the timeframe of a previously granted Harbour Works Consent that was approaching expiration.

The project had been delayed due to the pandemic and it was acknowledged that it was very extenuating circumstances and whilst the public access element did get installed, it had been temporarily removed.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Board approved the renewal for a further 3

years of the Harbour Works Consent for the Relocation of Existing Access

Bridge and Installation of New Public Access Pontoon at Deacons Marina.

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

The Board received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 9 in the minute book), which summarised activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between May and mid-November 2021.

It was highlighted that whilst many activities were regulated, it was important to identify activities that had impacts on the river such as bait-digging, littering and paddle boarding that there was less control over.

A lot of work had been done to try and educate paddle-boarders on protected areas for nesting and try and guide them on where it was best to enter the water. Work also continued in monitoring nitrates and water quality and a partnership group including the Environment Agency focussed on this.

The Board welcomed the work that had been done and its national relevance.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Board noted and supported the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Operations and Director

of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the 2021/22

outturn forecast and the proposed 2022/23 forward budget for the River

Hamble.

The Board considered a report from the Director of Corporate Operations and Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 10 in the minute book) on the 2021/22 outturn forecast as at the end of September 2021 and the proposed 2022/23 forward budget.

It was highlighted that the River Hamble was projected to achieve a

surplus of £57,000 on revenue funded expenditure, compared to a revised

budgeted surplus of £59,000. In 2022/23 the budgeted surplus on revenue funded expenditure was £37,000, which would potentially increase the Revenue Reserve to £67,829.

The balance in the Revenue Reserve was expected to increase to £65,829 by the end of March 2022 following the transfer of the £57,000 surplus from revenue, and balance would therefore be in excess of the 10% of the gross revenue budget set out as the maximum in the reserves policy. It was proposed that the £12,000 cost of the pump at Warsash Jetty instead be funded from revenue rather than the Asset Enhancement Reserve (AER).

The Board agreed welcomed the solution to pay for the pump from revenue and also noted that the pay award had not yet been finalised and may still change.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Board:
a) Noted the projected outturn for the 2021/22 financial year;

b) Approved the proposed forward budget;

c) Noted the balances held within the reserves and the position of the balances; and

d) Approved the proposal to fund the pump replacement at Warsash jetty from

revenue, rather than the Asset Enhancement Reserve as budgeted.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the annual review of fees and charges applicable to the River Hamble.

The Board considered a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (item 11 in the minute book), which summarised the annual review of fees and charges applicable to the River Hamble.

Whilst the proposed increases were below inflation, it was felt that this provided good value for money whilst being an adequate enough increase to benefit the River Hamble Harbour Authority.

The Board agreed that a gradual increase was much preferred than larger, sudden hikes.

RESOLVED

The River Hamble Harbour Board approved the fees and charges set out

in the report and to advertising them on the River Hamble Harbour Authority website.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services anticipating future business items for the Committee and Harbour Board.

The forward plan was noted.