Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2022.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2022 be approved.

To invite Members to declare any interest they might have in the matters on the agenda.

No declarations were received at this stage.

Questions may be asked without notice but to guarantee a full reply at the meeting, a question must be put including the name and address of the questioner by delivery in writing or by electronic mail to Democratic Services at democratic.services@iow.gov.uk, no later than two clear working days before the start of the meeting. Therefore the deadline for written questions will be Friday, 24 June 2022.

There were no questions submitted, however following a question from Councillor Price at the last meeting officers confirmed that the road to the Folly was not within the ownership of the Council.

Officers advised that there had been little change since the last meeting, there continued to be an overspend forecasted, due to contractor works, income had shown an increase due to updating leases and mooring figures. Visitor numbers were not as good as expected.

The committee were advised that a review of long term and visitor moorings had been discussed which would bring more regular income to the harbour.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

Ventnor harbour was a simple budget and had a similar pattern to the previous meeting, further discussion had been had regarding the seaweed issue at the harbour.

The Chairman advised that there continued to be discussions regarding the future of Ventnor Harbour

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

The Senior Harbour Master advised the Committee that the major works at Newport Harbour had been completed. Inspections of navigation aids had taken place and any works requiring attention had been resolved.

There was some discussion regarding the planned Armed Forces Day and the availability of the toilets on the harbour, the Senior Harbour Master advised that the toilets were not the responsibility of the Harbour although they had locked them following an event earlier in the year, harbour staff were happy to help where they could.

The Committee were advised that there were a few small problems during the IW Festival however it seemed to run smoothly, comments forms had been returned to the festival organisers.

It was noted that the Get Well Plan had been drawn up to bring the Harbour up to standard, this had been achieved and discussion was had regarding renaming the agenda item as the plan was now for operational issues.

The Committee acknowledged the work undertaken to get the harbour to this point.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Get Well Plan for Newport Harbour be noted.

THAT officers changed the agenda item title.

The Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods advised that the journey for Ventnor Harbour had only just begun which was reflected in the number of outstanding issues to be completed. He explained that Ventnor Harbour was a statutory Harbour which was the responsibility of the Local Authority.

There was some discussion regarding closing Ventnor harbour as at this time the Authority were only permitted to allow someone else to manage the harbour, officers would look into the decision making process and advise the Committee.

RESOLVED:

THAT the Get Well Plan for Ventnor Harbour be noted.

To guarantee a reply to a question, a question  must be submitted in writing or by electronic mail to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 2.00pm on Monday, 27 June, 2022. A question may be asked at the meeting without prior notice but in these circumstances, there is no guarantee that a full reply will be given at the meeting.

Cllr Matthew Price asked if more could be done to assist businesses on Newport Harbour during the IW Festival period with regard to staff and visitors accessing the businesses during this period. The Harbour Master advised that he checked up on local businesses during this time and agreements had been put in place with Solo, however he did not know the full details of the agreements made.

Cllr Julie Jones-Evans asked if all the units on the harbour were being used, she was advised that they were all occupied.