Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Cllr Price. Cllr Churchman attended as a substitute for Cllr Price.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2023 be approved.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

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 March 2023.

There were no public questions received.

To receive a presentation from Neil Bell of Southern Water relating to the discharges into the River Medina.

Keith Herbert and Neil Bell from Southern Water gave a presentation relating to the discharges into the River Medina along with other information regarding the steps they were taking to alleviate flooding on the Island xxxxx

The Finance Report for Newport Harbour as at the end of February 2023 was presented to the Committee. The picture was similar to the previous report. The net figure showed that the accounts were £13,000 in credit. There had been a downturn in visitors to the Folly however it was hoped that due to the recent refurbishment of the pub that the figures would improve.

The Finance Report for Ventnor Harbour was presented. The budget was showing an overspend of nearly £6,000 however the amount had been increased to reflect the cost of the seaweed removal. The harbour would come under new management from 1 April 2023.

An update was given on the outstanding actions. There had been three main areas identified for improvement. The updating of the website was now completed, the risks should be updated by the end of July, and an update was given on Blade Runner.

The MCA had advised on what was needed for a plan to be put in place in case of an oil spill. A change in management at the Harbour was imminent, but it would still need to comply with the PMSC. A meeting would be held with the next contractor within the next 6 weeks to discuss the plan.

The SHM reported on the period 29-12-22 to 12-3-23. The visitor numbers at Newport Harbour were starting to increase – there had been 17 during the first half of March. The Folly moorings were also starting up again. Work had been done on clearing the abandoned boats – notices had gone out in February that the council would take possession. In a closed-bid auction, bids had been received for 11 of the boats, therefore the council had obtained money from the sale, as well as additional moorings that had been occupied. Some of the ground chains at the Folly needed changing, the hand crank was not viable to continue to use after 8 February. On 2 January a boat had sunk on a swing mooring, but was recovered and taken ashore. There had recently been a fire on a boat in the river. Cowes Harbour staff had spotted it and the fire service had attended quickly. The boat had sunk and had been secured in place awaiting the insurance assessment, prior to being lifted soon.

To receive an update on the disposal of W5/W6 Blackhouse Quay.

A full report was planned to be brought to the committee, however there had been a delay in commissioning of both sites. The valuation had been received and discussions were ongoing with tenants to take on the freehold. A full report would be brought to the next meeting.

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 March 2023. 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.

There were no Members’ questions