Agenda and minutes

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

Cllr Bacon had sent apologies  Cllr Jones-Evans was substituting for him.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held 29 March 2023 be approved.

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

There were no declarations received at this time.

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 June 2023.

There were no public questions.

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised that the finance reports showed the first few months of the new financial year, there was net improvement on income forecast for 2023/24, however an over spend was shown on premises due to rising electric costs and a small overspend on operational equipment.

The Committee were advised that visitor numbers were increasing and a peak in temporary berthing fees in June due to the IW Festival.

RESOLVED:

THAT the finance report be noted

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services informed the Committee that a management contract had been agreed from 1 April 2023 therefore all operational responsibilities were undertaken by the contract.

RESOLVED:

THAT the finance report be noted

The senior Harbour Master advised the Committee that a number of events had been held on the quay which were well attended, the power washing of pontoons had been completed and issues with power supply were being investigated. An advertisement for a deputy harbour master had been required, the closing date for applications was 29 June 2023, it was noted that some applications had been received.

The Committee asked if there was any feedback concerning the boat fire, they were advised that the insurance company had dealt with it, and they were not aware of the cause of the fire, there was no damage to the pontoon.

Thanks were given to the Harbour Master for the tour of the harbour provided in April 23, the Committee questioned if anything had been looked into regarding additional pontoons being opened at the Folly to increase revenue to the harbour, they were advised that the work to the wall was completed, although it was an idea which would be looked into and a business plan could be drawn up later in the year.

The Committee were advised that the annual audit was due to take place in September 2023 which would also include Ventnor Harbour the report would be discussed at the January 2024 meeting.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services informed the Committee that the management contract commenced on 1 April 2023 with monthly reports being made to the Isle of Wight Council, all inspections were confirmed and an issue with navigation lights had been found, a compliment had been received from a visitor to the harbour.

A new electric pump had been ordered for the removal of seaweed in the harbour which was now the responsibility of the management company. Weekly meetings with the Senior Harbour Master were being undertaken.

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 June 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.

Councillor John Medland asked for an update on the commercial strategy for Newport Harbour, the Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised that he would supply an update outside of the meeting.

Councillor R Redrup asked if there was any update on the issues around Island Harbour, the Senior Harbour Master advised that he had not been informed of any news.

Councillor J Jones-Evans provided an update on the proposed cultural centre and steel yard.

Councillor P Jordan asked if there was an update on the Coffee Company on the harbour, the Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised that negotiations had taken longer than expected, a report would be brought to the next meeting of the Harbour Committee in September 2023.