Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Jim Clarke - Independent Member.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020 were confirmed as a correct record and would be signed at a future date.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Steve Pitman - Independent Member declared that he was a member of Weymouth Sailing Club.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Public speaking has been suspended for virtual committee meetings during the Covid-19 crisis and public participation will be dealt with through written submissions only.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to two questions or a statement of up to a maximum of 450 words.  All submissions must be sent electronically to denise.hunt@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

Questions will be read out by an officer of the council and a response given by the appropriate Portfolio Holder or officer at the meeting.  All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Monday 7 December 2020.

Five questions were received from members of the public that were read out at the meeting.  The questions and responses are contained in Appendix 1 of these minutes.

To note the minutes of the Weymouth Harbour Consultative Group held on

10 November 2020.

The Chairman of the Weymouth Harbour Consultative Group presented the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2020.

Noted

To receive a verbal update by the Chairman.

The Chairman provided a verbal update in relation to the following points:-

• Dates of harbour consultation group meeting at Lyme Regis on 15 December 2020 and West Bay on 19 January 2021, both starting at 6.30pm.
• Current progress on the appointment of a new Independent Member of the Committee
• A working group consisting of 3 Councillors and 2 Independent Members to form a working group to take forward the development of the Harbours Strategy.

To receive the following updates by the Harbour Masters:-

·         Weymouth

·         Bridport & Lyme Regis

The Weymouth Harbour Master and Bridport & Lyme Regis Harbour Master presented their updates.

Noted

To provide an engineering update for Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis harbours.

The Engineering Projects Manager updated the committee on engineering works in the three Dorset Council harbours.

Noted

To consider the current position for the Harbour Revenue Budgets for Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours at the end of October 2020 and the predicted position of the Harbour Reserves for 2020/21.

The Harbour Masters and the Finance and Admin Manager for Weymouth Harbour presented the current position for the Harbour Revenue Budgets for Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours at the end of October 2020 and the predicted position of the Harbour Reserves for 2020-2021.

Decision: To note the Budget Monitoring figures for 2020/21.

Reason for Decision: The Harbours Committee has the responsibility

for the harbours’ finances including budget setting, budget monitoring and the final out-turn at the year end.

To consider the budget requirement for the Harbour Revenue Budgets for Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours for 2021/22 and beyond, including fees and charges for all harbours and the Asset Management Plan Improvements for Weymouth.

The Harbour Masters and the Finance and Admin Manager (Weymouth Harbour) presented a report setting out the budget requirement for the harbour revenue budgets for Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis harbours for 2021-22 and beyond, including fees and charges for all harbours and the Asset Management Plan improvements for Weymouth.

Proposed by Councillor Sarah Williams, seconded by Councillor Rob Hughes.

Recommended to Full Council:

That the following related to budget requirements for the Harbours’ Budgets for 2021/22 be approved, including:

1. The Weymouth Harbour Budget for 2021/22;

2. The fees and charges for 2021/22 for Weymouth Harbour;

3. The Asset Management Plan Improvements for 2021/22 for Weymouth    Harbour subject to a mid-year review;

4. The budget request for Bridport Harbour for 2021/22;

5. The budget request for Lyme Regis Harbour for 2021/22; and

6. The fees and charges for 2021/22 for Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours.

Reason for Recommendation:

The Harbours Committee has the responsibility for the harbours’ finances

including budget setting, budget monitoring and the final outturn at the year end.

To consider the Harbours Committee Forward Plan.

The Forward Plan was presented by the Head of Environment and Wellbeing. 

It was agreed that the following items were added to the Forward Plan:-

• Progress on review of the Weymouth Asset Management Plan and impact on future finances
• Outcome of Health & Safety assessments of Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours

Noted

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To consider a report by the Weymouth Harbour Master.

The Weymouth Harbour Master presented a report regarding the renewal of a lease to Weymouth Gig Rowing Club.

Proposed by Councillor Rob Hughes, seconded by Councillor Sarah Williams.

Recommended to Full Council:

1. That the lease for the Weymouth Rowing Club be renewed for an interim period of 3 years from 25 March 2020.

2. That the Harbours Committee be given delegated authority to determine further interim renewals of the lease if necessary.

3. That the Harbours Committee be given delegated authority to determine whether to grant a full lease for a period of 25 years from 25 March 2020 once the Harbour Revision Order has been approved.

Reason for Recommendation:

The Gig Rowing Club continues to be an integral part of the harbour and have an active membership. The renewal is a short-term temporary arrangement until a longer term lease can be considered once the Harbour Revision Order has been approved.