Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2019.

To receive the minutes of Weymouth Harbour Consultative Group 5 September 2019

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2019 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Cllr Roberts asked if it was usual practice to list the names of members who were unsuccessful in being selected for the roles of Chair and Vice Chair. 

The Chairman confirmed that this would be checked.

The Chairman of the Weymouth Harbour Consultative Group presented the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2019.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Steve Pitman declared an interest as 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.

The following statements and questions were received from Town and Parish Councils at the meeting:

Cllr Jan Bergman – Weymouth Town Council

Cllr Bergman explained that the principles put forward by the Town Council were to ensure that Weymouth was a town where residents would want their children and grandchildren to live.  The town should be sustainable with strong education, good employment and opportunities for young people.

The Town Council were keen to explore the opportunity of bringing a ferry service back to Weymouth.  He had been in touch with Condor Ferries, but there were other companies that could be explored ie. Red Funnel or others.  He wanted to explore which ferry companies might be interested and development a strategy to ensure a sustainable town.

The following statements and questions were received from members of the Public:

Mr Ian Bruce

Mr Bruce enquired about former Weymouth Harbour Management Board’s finances.  The ring fencing of the Harbour’s finances had not been completed as should have been prior to the formation of the new Dorset Council.  He urged the Chairman of the Harbours’ Committee to work robustly with officers to deal with the matter properly to ensure ringfencing of the finances for the peninsular and harbour land.  Mr Bruce also referred to the North Quay site and the integral need for car parking to help make the offer attractive for the harbour users.

Ms Boyd who crews a diving charter boat in Weymouth Harbour asked for the committee to explain when the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Board would consult with the harbour users.  Approved funding for the project needed to be spent within 18 months.  The next steps outlined as the full design plan, planning and consent update did not constitute a consultation.

The Chairman advised that she would investigate the matter and respond to Ms Boyd.

To receive the reports of the Harbour Masters – Harbour update, Standing items and PMSC issues.

The Weymouth Harbour Master presented his Update.

On the peninsular the terminal building had been demolished and work was being done to convert the land to parking spaces, there would be consultations on the final designs.

There had been a delay on the Harbour Revision Order (HRO) for Weymouth due to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) raising additional queries, but it was hoped that it would be ready for approval by November/December 2019.

Knights Brown had started to set up and clear the asbestos from the ferry steps site.  It was hoped that the piling and major construction would be finished by Christmas with the detailed finishing jobs being done in the new year.  The Wall D pontoons would be removed during the work and modified or replaced to fit the new wall layout.

Communications had been sent to local business, hotels and residents regarding the commencement of work and traffic management measures plus the Harbour Master was keeping Harbour users updated.

The Pleasure Pier building had been demolished and removed, it was hoped that a café building of similar concept to the ones on the beach could be let on the pier, which planning permission had been applied for.

The redevelopment of the North Quay Council offices would impact the Harbour, until decisions were made parking would continue, he re-iterated the importance of parking to the harbour users.

The Weymouth Harbour Consultative Group would continue in it’s present format with meetings held at Weymouth Town Council offices.  Cllr Colin Huckle and been appointed to the group to represent the Town Council and Cllr Mark Roberts would be the representative for Dorset Council.

The former Designated Person for the Harbour had left the Council and Mr William Heaps of Marico Marine had been appointed to the post for all three harbours for a period of three years subject to an annual review.

Interviews for the 4^th Independent Member for the Harbours Committee were planned for the 14^th October, it was hoped to bring a report back to the committee in November.

The Harbours’ Committee Chairman attended the last FLAG meeting, Weymouth Sailing Club were happy with their new pontoons and a draft renewal lease was being discussed with the Rowing Club.

Following opening the facilities at North Quay for visitors use, vagrants started to use the premises, which left no option but to revert to using a fob entry system for berth holders only.

Maritime and Local events were available to view on the harbour website and the Weymouth Water Safety Group continued to meet.

A new member of staff had joined the harbour office.

An MCA Fishing Boat Safety Consultation was due to start on the 14^th October 2019 and it was hoped that one of the shows would be held in Weymouth.

The PMSC issues within the report were noted with the biggest risk to harbour safety being speeding jet-skis

The Harbour Master for West Bay who was also Interim Harbour Master for Lyme Regis  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

·      To set out the current position for the Harbour Revenue Budgets for Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours at the end of August 2019.

·      To set out the predicted position of the Harbour Reserves for 2019/20.

The approved 2019/20 budgets are given at the Appendices with predictions based on data until the end of August 2019.

The Weymouth Harbour Master introduced the Budget Monitoring Report and outlined the format and the revenue budget break down.

He referred to the Asset Management Plan and the programme of works for 2019/20, this was an extract of the 25 year rolling plan, looking forward it was hoped to continue to put some money into the harbour reserve each year and spend annually as required from the operational budget and the reserve.

The current budget for Weymouth harbour was set last December with the knowledge that there was a predicted shortfall of £116,932.

The Asset Management Plan was taking some time to settle as there was a lot of expensive projects to be dealt with in the first years.

There had been fewer visits from Commercial Vessels than expected which contributed to a reduction in income. The Waverley and some tall ships had cancelled this year, however the income from leisure vessels was up.

Charges for services such as electricity and water continued to be refined.

The outcome of the Budget Monitoring Report was £5,000 adverse.  Discussions were ongoing in relation to income and expenditure of sites which were part of the HRO but not previously included in the harbour budget.  This included a commitment to the demolition of the Terminal Building of £250,000 and £100,000 for the Quayside Regeneration which had not been included in this Report.

An update on revenue, capital requests and budget would come to the next Harbours Committee meeting.

In response to a question regarding repairs to Harbour walls F & G the Harbour Master and the Engineering Projects Manager advised that walls C & D were the current priority and the money for those would most likely be covered by the allocated engineering budget.  Going forward it was suggested that Cabinet would be approached via the Asset Management Group for funding.

It was requested that the Harbour Master circulated maps of the harbour walls definitions prior to the forthcoming tour of the harbour.

It was expected that going forward additional income streams would be achieved with more visitors.  The Peninsular Regeneration Project would give more wharf space, but it was not possible to say at this stage what capacity due to boats rafting each other, but there would be more pontoon space which may reduce rafting and consequently encourage more boats.

In response to a question regarding the commercial relationship between the

harbour authority and quayside fuel company, the Harbour Master was unable to discuss the proprietor’s business but there were clear working agreements and guidelines in relation to where he was able to fuel vessels.  The harbour did not receive income directly from the fuel company but the fuel prices were low and did encourage visiting boats to the harbour.

The Harbour Master for West Bay who was also Interim Harbour Master for Lyme Regis presented the two Budget Monitoring Reports for Bridport and Lyme Regis.

In relation to Bridport the Harbour Master highlighted the favourable employees figure of £8,852, there had been a lot  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The purpose of this report is to seek authority to prepare and submit a Harbour Revision Order (HRO) to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in order to modernise the current local legislation relating to Lyme Regis Harbour.

The Head of Environment and Well Being presented the report which sought authority to prepare and submit a Harbour Revision Order (HRO) to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in order to modernise the current local legislation relating to Lyme Regis Harbour.

He advised that the limits and purpose of the Council running the harbour were not as clear as they should be.  There were a range of additional common statutory harbour powers which were not in place for Lyme Regis that would assist in the efficient running for the harbour such as charges and disposal of land.  

A budget of £31,500 spread over a period of two years was suggested to cover the cost of the specialist marine lawyer required to make the application to the MMO, the application and cost of public notices.

He explained that an HRO was required for both Lyme Regis and Bridport, but as Lyme’s had not been modernised since the 1500s it took priority over Bridport.

Proposed by Cllr K Wheller, seconded by Cllr M Roberts.

Decision: That the Harbours Committee recommend to the Executive and Full Council in that as far as they have power to do so, they agree and otherwise support that:-

1)    an application being made to the Marine Management Organisation for a Harbour Revision Order in respect of Lyme Regis Harbour to consolidate and modernise the applicable current local legislation;

2)    delegated authority is given to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to determine the wording of the HRO based on legal advice and undertake all procedures for the submission of the HRO to the MMO;

3)    a budget of £31,500.00 be allocated for this work to include legal advice, the application fee and public notices.  This may be split over 2 years.

To receive the Harbours Committee workplan.

The Weymouth Harbour Master presented the Workplan which incorporated both standing items and the schedule of items. 

The next meeting would include Harbour budget setting and it was hoped that the new Designated Person would be able to attend.

There were no points or questions.

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 move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

 There was no exempt business.