Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies had been received from Cllrs J Bacon, A Garratt and G Peace. Cllr M Lilley was substituting for Cllr Garratt.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held 28 June 2023 be approved.

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

There were none 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, 22 September 2023.

There were no public questions.

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised that the impact of the new energy costs would be monitored over time, the forecast had been drafted based on the initial costings therefore the forecast may reduce following this.

RESOLVED:

THAT the finance report be noted.

There was no change in the finance report due to the management companies’ responsibilities, the public slipway which was still in control of the Local Authority had been cleaned.

The Committee congratulated staff on the improvements made.

RESOLVED:

THAT the finance report be noted

The Senior Harbour Master highlighted information contained in his report which included:

• Duty Harbour Master vacancy had been filled
• Southern Water had carried out work at the pumping station
• Trinity House had completed their inspections with no concerns
• A full survey of the harbour had been completed
• New safety ladders had been installed at the Folly
• There were no dramas during the IW Festival

RESOLVED:

THAT the Harbour Masters report be noted.

The Committee were advised that Marico had inspected Ventnor Harbour and the following key points were raised:

• Roles and responsibilities were clearly understood
• Consultation with harbour users needed to be set up (similar to the Newport Harbour users group)
• Safety Management plan was in draft
• Emergency Management Plan was required

The Committee expressed their thanks for the work achieved and understood the get well plan for Ventnor was similar to that of Newport Harbour following early inspections.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted

The Strategic Manager for Commercial services advised that the website action was ongoing following the transfer of services to the new Isle of Wight Council website.

Marico had undertaken a site visit recently and the outcomes were positive, which included:

• Good engagement with the Harbour users group
• Marine Safety Management Plan requires review and update
• One member of staff (newly appointed) required training

The Committee asked if customer surveys were undertaken, Officers advised that currently no surveys were in place, staff met with the harbour users regularly to discuss any issues and keep them update on what was happening, it was understood that there would need to be different surveys for different types of users.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

To agree to dispose of the freehold of land and a building to a special purchaser.

The Strategic Manager for Commercial Services advised the Committee that they had previously agreed to the Isle of Wight Espresso Company to be treated as a special purchaser for the site, following negotiations it was agreed that the ownership of both the sea wall and walkway would be included in the transfer of the land.

It was believed that the company had long terms plans for the site which would generate employment in the area and possibly a tourist attraction bringing added value to the harbour.

An independent value was undertaken by the purchaser and the price took into consideration the financial contribution that would be required to refurbish the property.

RESOLVED:

 I.              THAT the land and property is declared surplus to harbour requirements and disposed of.

II.              THAT the Isle of Wight Espresso Company is treated as a special purchaser and agree to dispose of the freehold of the land and building at Blackhouse Quay, Newport Harbour – known as W5, W6, connecting land and W7 - for £315,000.

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, 25 September 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.