Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2022 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Cllr M Roberts declared a non-pecuniary interest as the holder of a mooring at West Bay Harbour, a member of the LGA Special Interest Group – Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and Chairman of Southern IFCA.

Cllr M Penfold declared a non-pecuniary interest as the Chairman of SCOPAC (Standing Conference on problems associated with the Coastline) and as a member of the Special Coastal Interest Group.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit up to two questions or two statements for each meeting.  Alternatively, you could submit one question and one statement for each meeting.

All submissions must be e-mailed in full to susan.dallison@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Thursday 22 September 2022.

When submitting your question(s) and/or statement(s) please note that:

· no more than three minutes will be allowed for any one question or statement to be asked/read

· a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context and this will be included within the three minute period

· please note that sub divided questions count towards your total of two · when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g. the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder)

· include your name, address and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting.

· questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda

· all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.

Dorset Council Constitution  Procedure Rule 9

There was no public participation to report.

To consider a verbal report by the Chairman.

The Chairman reported on his participation in recent harbour related events and activities as well as his attendance at meetings of the Harbour Consultative Groups.

As part of his presentation the Chairman took the opportunity to thank Jamie Joyce, Harbour Master at Weymouth who had recently left the authority for personal reasons. He also acknowledged the retirement of Gary Smart from Weymouth Harbour.

To note the minutes of the Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbour Consultative Groups.

The minutes of the HCG meetings that had taken place since the last meeting of the Harbours Committee were presented by the following HCB representatives: -

Weymouth Harbour Consultation Group May and August 2022 – Andy Sargent, Chairman

In response to a question regarding appointing membership to the consultative group, the Head of Environment and Well-being advised that most of the representatives of the consultative group were members of associations who nominate a representative to sit on the consultative committee. If there are no association nominations, an open request is put via the relevant members of the group to seek representatives.

To receive updates from the Weymouth and Bridport & Lyme Regis Harbour Masters.

The Chairman welcomed David Brown and Matt Brown, Assistant Harbour Masters of Weymouth to their first meeting of the committee.

In response to a question regarding the competent harbour authority process, the Head of Environment and Well-being confirmed that this would be one of the first activities carried out by the new Harbour Master once they had been appointed.

There were further responses to questions in respect of visiting fishing vessels to the satisfaction of the committee.

In response to a further question, the Assistant Harbour Master confirmed that LED lighting was currently still being tested, but he was confident that this was working effectively.

The Harbour Master for Bridport and Lyme Regis presented his update. There were no further questions, and the two Harbour Master Updates were noted.

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

The Service Manager for Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management presented an update on engineering activities that were being undertaken within all three Dorset Council Harbours. This included dredging work, repairs, Lyme Regis Environmental Improvement Scheme Phase 5, Weymouth Flood & Coastal Risk Management Scheme Phase 1 and Harbour Walls.

In response to a question, the Service Manager confirmed that stakeholder engagement in respect of the Cobb works, which included consultation with the commercial fishermen, was on-going.

Members sought assurance in respect of the Lyme Regis Scheme and the Service Manager confirmed that full consultation with users of the harbour was in place. The delay in the works would not cause any additional safety concerns.  The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment expressed concerns relating to the delay and timing of the harbour dredging, the Chairman acknowledged these concerns and confirmed that officers aimed to carry out the work going forward on the agreed confirmed dates.

The report was received and noted.

To consider a report by the Weymouth and Bridport & Lyme Regis Harbour Masters.

The committee considered the monitoring positions for the harbour operational budgets for Weymouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis at the end of August 2022.  They also receive the predicted position of the Harbour Reserves for 2022/23.

In response to a question regarding the replacement pontoon work, the Harbour Office Manager confirmed that the project would be proceeding shortly.

Decision

That the current budget monitoring figures for Weymouth Harbour, Bridport Harbour and Lyme Regis Harbour for 2022/2023 be noted.

To receive a report by William Heaps, Marico Marine and Ken Buchan, Dorset Council

The Designated Person for Dorset Council’s Harbours presented his report on the council’s compliance of the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC). The detailed report set out a summary of status and areas for action.

He acknowledged that considerable progress had been made with the Dorset Council’s Harbours. The opportunities for growth for Bridport and Lyme Regis had been difficult. However, lessons could be learnt from Weymouth.

He concluded that, overall Dorset Council could not confirm PMSC compliance as required until the Bridport and Lyme Regis Marine Safety Management System and Navigational Risk Assessments had been completed.

However, the designated person was confident that compliance could be achieved in a relatively short time, and certainly by March 2024 and the appendix to the report set out a timetable of actions to address the outstanding issues.

The Chairman welcomed the report and its recommendations.  He acknowledged that a lot of work was being carried out to address the outstanding actions. Richard Tinsley, Independent member of the committee confirmed that he had been working with officers on the issues around risk and supported the proposed timetable set out in the appendix.

In response to a question, the Head of Environment and Wellbeing confirmed that the recruitment process for the new Harbour Master post was ongoing.

Decision

(a)           That the Designated Person’s report be accepted and that the report be sent to Full Council for information.

(b)           That the programme timetable to address any outstanding issues highlighted by the audit report be approved.

To consider the Harbours Committee Workplan.

The Committee noted its forward plan and the Chairman suggested that Piloted Vessels at Bridport be added to a future date of the Harbours Committee.

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 to report.