Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Mark Saxby.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2024.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 25 September 2024 were confirmed and signed.

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.

Richard Tinsley declared that he held a berth at Weymouth Marina.

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 either 1 question or 1 statement for each meeting.  You are welcome to attend the meeting in person or via MS Teams to read out your question and to receive the response.   If you submit a statement for the committee this will be circulated to all members of the committee in advance of the meeting as a supplement to the agenda and appended to the minutes for the formal record but will not be read out at the meeting. The first 8 questions and the first 8 statements received from members of the public or organisations for each meeting will be accepted on a first come first served basis in accordance with the deadline set out below.  Further information read Public Participation - Dorset Council 

All submissions must be e-mailed in full to joshua.kennedy@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

by 8.30am on Friday 29 November 2024.

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

• You can submit 1 question or 1 statement.
• a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context.
• It must be a single question and any sub-divided questions will not be permitted.
• Each question will consist of no more than 450 words, and you will be given up to 3 minutes to present your question.
• 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.   

There were no public questions.

To consider a verbal report by the Chairman.

The Chair delivered a verbal report to the committee, he noted that he had attended the Lyme Regis and Bridport Harbour Consultative Group meetings for the first time, in his capacity as Chair of the Harbours Advisory Committee. He thanked the Harbour Masters for showing the committee around the harbours on a recent site visit. He also explained that the adverts for the two vacant co-optee positions would go out in the near future and final wording of the roles was being finalised.  

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

The Bridport Harbour Consultative Group minutes for the meeting held on 14 October 2024 were presented by the Harbours Manager.

The Lyme Regis Harbour Consultative Group minutes for the meeting held on 17 October 2024 were presented by Nick Marks, the Consultative Group Chair.

The Weymouth Harbour Consultative Group minutes for the meeting held on 13 November were presented by Tim Day, the Consultative Group Chair.

The committee noted the minutes of the meetings of the Consultative Groups.

To receive updates from the Bridport & Lyme Regis Harbour Master and Harbours Manager.

The Harbour Master delivered the updates for Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours. He provided a summary of the statistics for both harbours, including the mooring occupancy levels for private and commercial berths, the car parking revenue and season ticket sales. In Bridport Harbour there was a plan to introduce a disposal point for used flares, to encourage harbour users to dispose of them responsibly. He also reported an incident involving a JCB hitting a bollard on the Cobb in Lyme Regis, resulting in a new vehicle being ordered.

Members welcomed the news of the introduction of a flare disposal facility, given the lack of alternatives in the area. In response to a question from a member, the Harbour Master explained that the timbers bought from BCP Council were intended to be used to replace any rotten timbers in the harbours.

The Harbours Manager delivered the update for Weymouth Harbour. He provided a summary of the let analysis, statistics, recent events and incidents that had occurred since the last meeting. The Harbour Management System was being reviewed and possible options for streamlining the system were being explored. The scheduled works to the harbour were summarised and included various maintenance and repairs to buildings in the harbour.

In response to questions from members the Harbours Manager explained that it was unlikely that a new Harbour Management System would be in place by the start of the season, as they were still exploring the possible options. He also clarified an incident involving a vessel becoming tangled with a loose fishing net.

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

The Service Manager for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management delivered the engineering updates for Bridport, Lyme Regis and Weymouth harbours. He noted that inspections had been completed in Bridport and Lyme Regis and repairs were set to take place over the coming months. In Weymouth inspections had nearly been completed and were set to be completed shortly with repairs to follow. A summary of the works set to take place across the harbours was provided.

The committee noted the FCERM update.

To consider a report by the Bridport & Lyme Regis Harbour Master, Harbour Business Manager and Harbours Manager.

The Harbour Master presented the budget monitoring report for Bridport and Lyme Regis. He noted that in Bridport significant savings had been made due to there not being any dredging this financial year and a vacant mechanic position.

In Lyme Regis there was an overspend on seasonal hours and pay due to the pay award, as well as business rates. There were savings made on dredging and fuel costs. As Lyme Regis was still funded by Dorset Council there would be no transfer to the reserves and approximately £29,000 would be returned to Dorset Council.

The Harbour Master clarified that the mechanics post would be filled in the new year and not remain empty.

The Harbour Business Manager presented the budget monitoring report for Weymouth. It was noted that the budget was mostly on track, there had been some underspend on costs including utilities, however they had also had to cover staff leave. Funding for the regeneration project was set to come from the reserves.

The committee noted the budget monitoring figures for Bridport, Lyme Regis and Weymouth harbours.

To consider a report on the proposed fees and charges for 2025/26.

The Harbours Manager presented the budget and fees and charges for 2025/26. He explained that the fees and charges had been benchmarked against other similar sized harbours in the region and Dorset Council’s recommendation of a 2.5% increase had also been considered. He also provided a summary of the budgetary position of the three harbours.

In response to a question from one member, the Harbours Manager recognised the large loss of parking income, as a result of facilitating the repairs to harbour walls f & g and stated that they were working to a worst case scenario in the forecast.

Proposed by Cllr Williams and seconded by Cllr Bryan.

Decision: That the Harbours Advisory Committee recommend that Cabinet ask Full Council to:

1. Approve fees and charges for 2025/26 for Bridport and Lyme Harbours

2. Approve fees and charges for 2025/26 for Weymouth Harbour

3. Approve the budget for 2025/26 for Bridport Harbour

4. Approve the budget for 2025/26 for Lyme Regis Harbour

5. Approve the budget for 2025/26 for Weymouth Harbour

To consider a report from the Harbours Manager.

The Harbours Manager presented the report for the Weymouth Harbour Revision Order. It was explained that the HRO had been given approval by Cabinet in November and that a budget of £40,000 had been allocated from the reserves for this purpose.

The committee noted the report.

To consider the Harbours Committee Workplan.

The Head of Environment and Wellbeing presented the forward plan for the committee for March 2025. In addition to the standing items, it was explained that an update on the Harbour Management System would be brought forward, as well as an update on the removal of the Weymouth Pilotage Function.

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 x 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 is no scheduled exempt business for this meeting.

There was no exempt business.