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Hampshire County Council
Councillors: 78
Wards: 76
Committees: 49
Meetings (2025): 165
Meetings (2024): 156

Meeting

River Hamble Harbour Board - Hampshire

Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Friday, 5th July 2024
10:00 AM
End:
Friday, 5th July 2024
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
05 Jul 2024
Location:
St Pauls Church Hall, Barnes Lane, Sarisbury Green, SO31 7BG
Meeting Attendees
Councillor Keith House photo
Committee Member
Councillor Keith House

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Co-opted Member
David Jobson

Recreational Sailing Representative

Present, as expected

Co-opted Member
Jason Scott

Marine Director (non voting)

Present, as expected

Co-opted Member
Nicola Walsh

Marine Industry Representative

Present, as expected

Councillor Steven Broomfield photo
Conservative Deputy
Councillor Steven Broomfield

Conservative

Not required

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Councillor Peter Latham photo
Vice-Chairman
Councillor Peter Latham

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Peter Chegwyn photo
Liberal Democrats Deputy
Councillor Peter Chegwyn

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Councillor Tim Groves photo
Liberal Democrats Deputy
Councillor Tim Groves

Liberal Democrat

Apologies

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Councillor Michael Ford photo
Chairman
Councillor Michael Ford

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Co-opted Member
Nikki Hiorns

Environmental Management Representative

Present, as expected

Councillor Jackie Branson photo
Conservative Deputy
Councillor Jackie Branson

Conservative

Not required

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Officer
Sheena Sayer

Expected

Agenda
1 Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes Apologies received from Councillor House.
2 Declarations of interest
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.
Minutes 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.
3 Minutes of previous meeting held on 12 April 2024
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting of the Board held on 12 April 2024.
Attachments:
Minutes Following some minor amendments the minutes were approved.
4 Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes There were no deputations.
5 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes The Chairman shared his thanks to Councillor Woodward for his services as Chairman of the Harbour Board and welcomed Councillor Latham as Vice Chairman.

The Recreational Sailing Representative welcomed Councillor Ford as the new Chairman.
6 Draft Minutes of the meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 14 June 2024
To review the minutes of the previous meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 14 June 2024.
Attachments:
Minutes The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 14 June 2024.
7 Marine Director and Harbour Master's Report and Current Issues
To record formally RHHA patrol operations and inform the Duty Holder of significant events and trends having a bearing on the Marine Safety Management System.
Minutes The Board reviewed the Marine Director's comprehensive report, which outlined recent incidents and ongoing matters within the Harbour, including a supplementary document detailing events up to 2 July 2024. An increase in anti-social behaviour at Lands’ End Road was observed, surpassing last year's rates. Premier Marina has been consulted, and the local police have been proactive and effective in their response. Residents are encouraged to document disturbances and report them to the authorities, rather than confronting the individuals directly.

The Recreational Sailing Representative asked for a report to be made at the next meeting regarding an incident involving a pontoon securing failure during Storm NELSON.

The Environmental Management Representative expressed gratitude to the Marine Director for their support during a recent incident. The Marine Director confirmed that incident logs are regularly disseminated to Stakeholders, colleagues, and Marinas. The Vice Chairman praised the Marine Director's educational approach in managing river activities.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board supported the contents of the report.
8 Environmental Update
To summarise activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between March and May 2024.
Attachments:
Minutes The Board received a report detailing the River Hamble Harbour Authority's environmental management activities for the Hamble Estuary from March to May 2024.

The presence of seahorses in the River, which has garnered media attention for the first time, was highlighted. A seagrass restoration scheme is under consideration by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, with further details to be confirmed in due course.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board noted and expressed its support for the report's contents.
9 River Hamble Final Accounts 2023/24
To present the final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ended 31 March 2024 and the original budget and forecast outturn for the year ended 31 March 2025 to the River Hamble Harbour Board for consideration.
Minutes The Board reviewed the Harbour Authority's final accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024, alongside the original budget and the forecast for the year ending 31 March 2025.

The final outturn for 2023/24 was largely as anticipated, with a necessary draw from the Revenue Reserve to enable the full agreed contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve to be made, slightly deviating from predictions due to adverse weather conditions. Despite a decrease in the Asset Replacement Reserve resulting from the recent new patrol boat purchases, the situation remains manageable. However, it was highlighted that given the small, planned draws from the Revenue Reserve in recent years and that the annual contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve is expected to be increased in the near future, it may be prudent to consider a slightly bigger increase in Harbour Dues now, to prevent significant future rises in dues.

The Marine Director commended the Finance team for their diligent work throughout the year, and also emphasised the Harbour Authority’s growing reputation for fiscal prudence. The Board was informed that the Asset Replacement Reserve undergoes an annual review in March to account for manufacturing cost increases, which exceed inflation rates. It was noted that the projected minimum balance within the Asset Replacement Reserve is now £161,000 in 2035, up from £130,000.

In response to the Recreational Sailing Representative's inquiry about the forecast future increased balance of the ARR, it was clarified that the future minimum holding policy of the ARR would be subject to a review paper later.

RESOLUTION

The Board approved the report, the statutory accounts, and the management accounts for 2023/24, and took note of the forecast for the 2024/25 financial year.
10 Review of Harbour Dues
To analyse the financial position of the River Hamble Harbour Undertaking in order to make a recommendation on any change in Harbour Dues that may be necessary.
Attachments:
Minutes The Board examined the financial analysis of the River Hamble Harbour Undertaking and considered a proposed 4% increase in Harbour Dues, which would amount to an illustrative £9.91 increase for a 10-metre boat.

The proposed increase was discussed at length, with due consideration given to many factors such as the primary sources of income and weather-related uncertainties, the largely positive feedback on the proposed 4% received in discussions with the Mooring Holders’ Association and Commercial representatives, steps already being taken to minimise resource requirements, the current rate of inflation, and the context of challenging economic times.

The Board noted that the River Hamble Management Committee RECOMMENDED that the River Hamble Harbour Board approve an increase in Harbour Dues of 4% for 2024/25.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board approved the 4% increase in Harbour Dues for the fiscal year 2024/25, by a majority vote, with the Recreational Sailing Representative abstaining.
11 Forward Plan for Future Meetings
To set out the key issues which it is anticipated will appear on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board agendas in the forthcoming months.
Attachments:
Minutes The Board reviewed a report outlining anticipated key issues for upcoming River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board meetings.

Southern Water's attendance at the June 2024 meeting was deferred to September 2024 due to the pre-election period.

RESOLUTION

The River Hamble Harbour Board noted the contents of the report.
Previous Meetings
Meeting

14th Mar 2025

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

10th Jan 2025

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

15th Nov 2024 Cancelled

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

4th Oct 2024

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

5th Jul 2024

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

12th Apr 2024

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

12th Jan 2024

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

6th Oct 2023

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

7th Jul 2023

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

31st Mar 2023

River Hamble Harbour Board

Future Meetings
Meeting

4th Jul 2025

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

3rd Oct 2025

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

14th Nov 2025

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

9th Jan 2026

River Hamble Harbour Board

Meeting

10th Apr 2026

River Hamble Harbour Board

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