Hampshire County Council River Hamble Harbour Board Meeting

Apologies were received from David Jobson and Nikki Hiorns.

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.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no deputations.

The Chairman had no announcements on this occasion.

The Board received and noted the draft minutes of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee held on 10 March 2023.

The Board considered the report regarding incidents and events in the Harbour.

RESOLVED:

That the Board support the contents of the report.

The Board considered the report with an update on environmental matters.

It was noted that, as part of the Oyster Restoration Project, the cultch (shell and stone) had been laid in the preceding week with the intention for oysters to be added within the next couple of weeks.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that an American organisation had provided the $5million funding towards the Solent Seascape Project.

The Marine Director drew Members’ attention to a new Harbour Authority website which would aim to deliver essential information in a more modern and intuitive way. The site was intended to be ‘live’ from May 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the Board note and support the report.

The Board considered a report regarding the condition of operational assets and associated maintenance expenditure.

RESOLVED:

That the Board supports that:

i.              The report be taken into account alongside the annual statutory accounts in setting Harbour Dues for 2023/24 at the June Board meeting.

ii.            The contribution from Revenue to the Replacement Reserve should remain at £42,000 2023/24 and note be taken of the need for frequency and amount of potential future increases.

The Board considered the report with regard to the future business items for the Committee and Harbour Board agendas.

RESOLVED:

That the Board notes the report.