Issue - meetings

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.