Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Committee made in accordance with Part 4B paragraph 5 of the Constitution.

Cllrs Bacon, Pitcher and Peace sent apologies; Cllr Jones-Evans was substituting for Cllr Bacon.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2022.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2022 be approved.

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

Councillors Jones-Evans and Price declared a non-pecuniary interests as they knew the applicant for agenda item 8.

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, 23 September 2022.

Mr Elford from Newport asked what impact the proposals set out in agenda item 8 would have on the residential moorings, he was advised that there would be no impact to the moorings, they moorings were not included in the red line outlining the land referred to in the report later on the agenda.

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised the Committee of the key points set out in the Finance report for Newport Harbour, there was a predicted underspend relating to employees, and over spend in utility costs were likely however this could be offset by the reduction in waste disposal costs. Moorings at the Folly had been closed to allow for work on ground chains to take place, this would cause an overspend on the budget, the Committee were advised that it was difficult to predict when this type of upgrading work would be necessary however as it was due to be undertaken during November 2022 this would ensure it would not be necessary next year.

The Committee questioned the key cards for utility costs and were advised that they had not yet been updated, once the Council’s energy contract was agreed the key cards would be updated to reflect the change in costs.

Clarification regarding the recharges were requested and would be circulated after the meeting.

RESOLVED:

    (i)         THAT the finance report be noted.

THAT details regarding recharges would be supplied to the committee

The contract for removing seaweed from the harbour had been awarded for two years, income had been consistent with previous years. Moorings had been removed however had historically been incorporated into the finance figures, however this would be rectified for future budget settings.

Outstanding PMSC actions.

The Senior Harbour Master advised that the majority of outstanding audit actions had been completed with a few items to be completed in October 2022.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

Get Well Plan.

It was noted that the focus had been to make Newport harbour compliant as a priority, processes used for Newport would be amended for Ventnor which would make the process quicker. The Committee was advised that the service would be moved to the new web pages as part of the next phase in the web project.

The Committee thanked staff for all their hard work.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted

The Senior Harbour Master highlighted the main points from his report, he confirmed that a new Deputy harbour master had commenced work, a number of events had taken place on the quay, including Armed Forces Day. Trinity House inspections had taken place that day and initial feedback suggested it had gone well.

There had been issues regarding people swimming in the river, harbour staff had contacted the PCSO who had confirmed advice provided by the harbour staff, the quay was being used as a meeting place for people with modified cars and bikes, police were involved with an incident, they are also visiting the quay during the evenings to try and educate the young drivers.

An incident regarding young men with a BB gun had been reported and dealt with by harbour staff and the police, it was believed two of the men had been spoken to by the police.

The Committee questioned the amount of sewage being discharged into the river and asked of the process regarding notifications from Southern Water. Officers advised that a report could be provided to the Committee in March 2023 for information following a six month monitor, they would also ask someone from Southern Water to attend the meeting.

RESOLVED

THAT a report regarding sewage discharge into the river be provided to the Harbour Committee at the meeting in March 2023 with a representative from Southern Water being asked to attend.

THAT the Senior Harbour Master report be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the key points.

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised that a draft report had been supplied however the full report was awaited. It was noted that the majority of recommendations from the last report had been completed. Reporting of incidents process was to be reviewed, a memorandum of understanding had been agreed between the Isle of Wight Council, Cowes, Yarmouth and Bembridge harbour to provide support if an oil spill occurred at any of the harbours.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised the Committee that they had been approached by the applicant in this instance and were requesting the Committees agreement to open negotiations, a report would then be brought back to the committee for consideration.

RESOLVED:

THAT The Isle of Wight Espresso Company be treated as a special purchaser for land and building situated at Blackhouse Quay, Newport Harbour – Known as W5 and W6.

To receive an update on the management contract.

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services provided an update on Ventnor harbour, he explained that tenders had been requested for the management of the harbour which had now closed, two submissions had been received and would be considered by 13 October 22, following that process a report to Cabinet would be submitted for their meeting in November 2022, with the contract commencing 1 April 2023.

The Committee were assured that Ventnor Town Council had been kept up to date on all discussions relating to the harbour.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update 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 2.00 pm on Monday, 26 September 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.

Councillor Price asked if a visit of the harbour could be arranged, officers advised they would provide possible dates to the Committee.

Councillor Redrup asked if there was any involvement from the Council regarding the events at Island Harbour, the Senior Harbour Master advised that they had been approached by administrators regarding the boundaries however the would be in contact regrading any outstanding monies owed to the Isle of Wight Council.

Councillor Jordan raised concern regarding the responsibility of the Committee and asked that this be clarified to the Committee members particularly regarding setting policy, it was advised that an advice note would be circulated to the Committee to clarify the situation.

Councillor Redrup asked if hose pipes were allowed when washing down boats, he was advised that harbour staff were asking people not to use the hose pipes, however they would check to see if this was still the case.