Hampshire County Council River Hamble Harbour Management Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillors Rod Cooper, Rupert Kyrle and Tonia Craig. Councillor Pamela Bryant was in attendance as the Conservative substitute member.

Apologies were also received from Nicola Walsh.

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.

Councillor Lumby declared a personal interest as member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, a berth holder at MDL and a consultant at a law firm who provide legal advice to some businesses on the river; Ian Cooke declared a personal interest as a berth holder at the yacht club at Hamble; Councillor Dunning and Steven Masters each declared an interest as a member of the Royal Yachting Association; John Selby declared interests as a trustee of Warsash Sailing Club, a committee member of the Royal Yachting Association, of the River Hamble Combined Clubs and of the River Hamble Mooring Holders Association.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no deputations.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Joanne Bull to the Committee representing Fareham Borough Council.

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

and Business Services regarding incidents and events in the Harbour.

The Marine Director noted that, following the recent fatality on Hackett’s Marsh, the Harbour Authority may be required to present expert material to the coroner.

The Committee noted the installation of the new pump out facility and thanked Southern Water for installation of the pipework without charge. It was confirmed that the cost to use the facility would likely be between five and eight pounds per token.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the content of

the report.

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

and Business Services with an update on environmental matters.

The Committee were updated on the recent developments on the M27 bridge works following the Chairman of the Harbour Board’s communication with local Members of Parliament and Baroness Charlotte Vere of Norbiton. The Chairman of the Board had received communication from National Highways that preparatory works to the bridge were underway and that this would lead into the main improvement works at a later date. National Highways had assured the Chairman of the Board that they would maintain contact regarding future work.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee notes the content of

the report.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services seeking retrospective approval to a Harbour Works Consent application.

Members heard that the Harbour Office had identified the development in question and that no permissions had been sought prior to its installation. It was noted that retrospective consent of this nature was a rare occurrence.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:

·         The proposal was sited within a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) but that it had met all environmental requirements. Members requested that the Harbour Authority engage with Natural England regarding the possibility of upgrading the area to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

·         The applicant had put in place mitigation measures targeted at sustaining the surrounding saltmarsh area.

·         Retrospective HWC applications incurred more officer time and therefore a greater financial cost to the Harbour Authority.

·         There was a significant amount of information and advice available to potential applicants to guide them through the process of making a HWC application.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee recommends to the Harbour Board to approve Harbour Works Consent for the proposal set out in paragraph 4 of the report and subject to the following conditions:

a.    The proposal is to be built in accordance with the details, plans and method set out in paragraph 4.

b.    The size, arrangement and specific location of the enhancement features are to be submitted to and approved by the Harbour Master in writing prior to installation.

c.    The applicant should ensure that all equipment, temporary structures, waste and/or debris associated with the consented activities be removed upon completion of the consented activities.

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

and Business Services in setting the annual rate of Harbour Dues.

The Committee noted the fortunate surplus within the accounts as a result of sound planning and a significant increase in visitor income from 2021. Members discussed the challenges of finding a balance between keeping Harbour Dues low for river users but also the need to ensure income for the Harbour Authority for necessary maintenance and staff costs. It was agreed that a 1% rise would achieve this balance.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         Other harbour authorities in the region had generally increased their rates by more than 1%.

·         The Harbour Authority was working with the Crown Estate to address the issue related to mooring availability and to provide more suitable moorings to meet demand and generate income. (Specifically in relation to the low demand for 8m and below moorings).

·         There were few electric options available which met the requirements of patrol boats – the current market was very expensive and boats had low endurance and power. The electric market was fast paced and the Harbour Authority were monitoring developments for the future.

RESOLVED:

That the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends to the

River Hamble Harbour Board the approval of an increase in Harbour Dues of

1% for 2022/23.

The Committee considered the report of the Directors of Corporate Services –

Corporate Resources and Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the final accounts for 2021/22.

The Committee heard that the Harbour Undertaking returned a net surplus of £64,876 on general revenue activities, enabling the agreed £35,000 contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve to be made in full and a transfer of the remaining £29,876 to the Revenue Reserve.

Members noted that the total income for 2021/22 was approximately £37,000 higher than budgeted at £718,061.

It was also reported that revenue expenditure for the year totalled £653,186, and that this was approximately £31,000 higher than budgeted. This was linked to agreed spend on the pump out facility at the Warsash jetty and the works to the River Hamble Country Park jetty.  It was noted that the costs for these works were much lower than they could have been, benefitting from Southern Water meeting the costs of the installation of pump out facility and the donation of pontoons by Premier Marinas for the new River Hamble Country Park jetty.  

RESOLVED:

i)             That this report, the statutory accounts and management accounts be noted by the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee, prior to submission to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.

ii)            That the Committee notes that as at 31 March 2022 the Revenue Reserve has a balance of £73,705, which exceeds the maximum balance set out in the reserves policy by approximately £11,000.

iii)           That the Committee considers the proposal to transfer the excess within the Revenue Reserve to the Asset Enhancement Reserve and agrees a recommendation for submission to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.

iv)           That the Committee supports the recommended changes to the 2022/23 budget and their submission to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.

The Committee 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 Management Committee notes the report.