Agenda item

To review a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services agreeing on adjustments to generate additional income for the Harbour Authority.

The Board received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and

Business Services setting out options for income adjustments.

The Board noted that the options had all been approved at the previous meeting except for the dry-stacking proposal, for which a £100 flat rate had previously been proposed. It was added that operators did not object to the principle of a flat rate, it was a matter of the amount of the flat rate.

The Board noted the extent of the work that had been conducted into this issue to ensure that prices are comparable with those on the Solent. The Board also agreed that the approach needed to be understandable and so wanted to avoid multi-tiered calculations for the dry-stack charge.

Discussion was held over the amount of dry-stacking space available. It was noted that various methods might be applied to Harbour Dues calculation and that any method chosen would need to be simple and consistently applied.

The Board heard that work conducted by jointly by the Harbour Master and the Association of Marina and Boatyard Operators had suggested that around 4000 launches had been conducted over the past year.  With a launch fee of £6 and around 380 dry stack spaces, this suggested that a figure of £65 per slot might be appropriate.  The Board decided that this method was overly complex and further discussed selection of a charging option related to an average boat length of 6m, recognising that both larger and smaller vessels occupy stack spaces. It was agreed that any charge should be made annually and in advance to sustain the flexibility of the customer offer.

The recommendation of a charge of £65 per dry stack slot, less 10% was proposed. A vote was held with the following outcome;

For                  1

Against          5

The recommendation of a charge of the six metre rate per dry stack slot, less 10% was proposed. A vote was held with the following outcome;

For                  3

Against          2

Abstain          1

RESOLVED: That the River Hamble Harbour Board agrees that the following options are 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, enabling a flexible launching regime and ensuring that Harbour Dues are paid in respect of launches which are not currently captured. This figure will be the six metre rate, less 10%.

(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 hours):

• Hamble Jetty
  • Short stay (up to 4 hours):

• Mid-stream Visitors’ Pontoon.
  • Short stay (up to 4 hours):
    • up to 12 metres length overall – £5 (£4);
    • over 12 metres length overall – £8 (£6);
    • overnight (after 5pm) - £2 (£1.50) per metre.

·         Weekly - £2 (£1.50) per metre per night.

(iv) Providing that a surplus on revenue activities has been generated and the required contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve has been met, to transfer any additional balance that may be created as a result of these measures to the Asset Enhancement Reserve to take advantage of future opportunities.