Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

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 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.

David Jobson declared personal interests as a member of both the RAF and Royal Southern Yacht Clubs, as a mid stream mooring holder and a member of the RYA. Chris Moody declared personal interests as a member of Warsash Sailing Club and as Chairman of Hamble River Boatyard and Marina Operators Association.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 September 2020.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 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.

It was with much sadness that the Vice Chairman, in the chair for this meeting, announced the death of Councillor Keith Evans who had served as Harbour Board Chairman since 2010. Board Members and officers gave tributes to Councillor Evans and collectively expressed deepest sympathies to his family.

To receive the draft minutes of the meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 4 December 2020.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee meeting held on 4 December 2020.

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 regarding incidents and events in the Harbour.  

In introducing the report, particular reference was made to section 5 and the  routine inspection of the Marine Safety Management System which had taken place on 18 November 2020. With the Harbour Authority having been found to be compliant, this would enable the Duty Holder to write the three yearly letter of compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code to the Regulator (the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency) by the deadline of 31 March 2021.

In response to a Member question, it was confirmed that there was nothing further to add to the update in the report at section 8 regarding the Universal Marina Harbour Works Consent and it was anticipated that the application would come before the Board in the normal way for consideration at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:  

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the content of the report, endorses the Marine Safety Plan for 2021-2024 and agrees to write to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to confirm continued compliance with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code.

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

The Board considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on environmental matters.

Members discussed section 9 of the report and the recent decision by the Highways Authority to re-allocate the funding that had previously been allocated to the drainage works as part of the M27 smart motorways scheme.

Highways England had recently contacted the Harbour Authority explaining that its plan to deliver the drainage run off works within the wider scheme by March 2021 can no longer go ahead at this time. Members expressed their frustration at this development, particularly as the drainage works had been in the planning for several years.

In response to a Member question it was confirmed that Natural England had been in contact with the landowner regarding their unpermitted development. In the second instance referred to within the report, the Harbour Authority was in contact with the Local Planning Authority to determine whether local planning protocol had been broken.

RESOLVED:  

That the River Hamble Harbour Board: 

(i)            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, and; 

(ii)          notes and supports the remainder of the report.

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

The Board noted the projected revenue surplus figure for the current year of £90,000 of which £35,000 would be transferred to the Asset Replacement Reserve (ARR) with the balance being added to the General Reserve. It was noted that there was expected to be a minimal impact as a result of Covid on the outturn. The Board approved the proposed 21/22 forward budget, noting the planned £62,000 surplus, which would again allow the full ARR contribution to be made with a further addition to the General Reserve.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board:

i)             Note the projected outturn for the 2020/21 financial year.

ii)            Approve the proposed forward budget.

iii)           Note the balances held within the reserves and the improved position on the general reserve balance.

iv)           Approve the proposal to postpone the decision on the possible excess in the Revenue Reserve based on the proposed 2021/22 forward budget.

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 a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services reviewing the fees and charges for the Harbour Authority.

The Board noted the proposal to increase the launching fee for Personal Water Craft/Jet Skis from £5 to £10 to bring charges into closer alignment with those levied elsewhere in the Solent (following research other authorities were charging between £10 and £14). This had also been brought about following the recent increase in Jet Ski activity on the River particularly throughout the 2020 summer months.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Board approves the fees and charges set out below and to advertise them on the River Hamble 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 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.  

RESOLVED:  

That the River Hamble Harbour Board notes the report.