Agenda and minutes

to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 22 June 2020;

SH.9/20          

The minutes of the meeting of the Salcombe Harbour Board held on 22 June 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

Members are invited to declare any personal or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of such interests, they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting

SH.10/20        

Members were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of the meeting, and the following were made:

Ms Jones, Mr Mackley, Mr Marriage, Mr Plant, Mr Stewart and Mr Taylor each declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in all related agenda items by virtue of paying harbour dues to the Council.  As a result of the Deputy Monitoring Officer granting each Board Member a dispensation, they were all able to take part in the debate and vote on any related matters (Minute SH.3/20 refers).

a period of up to 15 minutes is available to deal with questions from the public

SH.11/20        

In accordance with the Public Question Time Procedure Rules, there was one issue raised:

Submission received from Mr Graham Allen:

‘I would like to submit the following to this Board meeting:

Some Members of the Board here are aware that this year, my first year of owning a boat and enjoying the lovely scenery of the Estuary has been disappointing to discover the high crime of theft of vessels and equipment taken from them. Myself, I have had to report three crimes, theft and criminal damage.

Becoming aware and being informed by other boat owners, it seems crime is fairly common.

It would appear that the present security is in-effective with patrols not covering every day.

It would be interesting to know of any powers these patrols have and if there has been anyone detained or questioned.

I would like to propose that a CCTV camera be erected at New Bridge. Today’s technology makes it achievable, act as a deterrent, may cut the crime figures and be cost effective in the long run and reduce insurance costs.

I have the support from Charleton Parish Council and Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club and sum members of this committee.

I hope this proposal meets with the approval of this Board and the camera is installed by next season.’

In response, the Chairman thanked Mr Allen for his submission and advised that the issue of the harbour security contract would be considered further by the Board in accordance with agenda item 12: ‘Harbour Update Report’ (Minute SH.16/20 below refers).

to receive verbal reports from Board Members who attend the Harbour Community Forums on behalf of the Board

SH.12/20        

The Board received verbal update reports from those Members who attended the Harbour Community Forums.  The updates were given as follows:

Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary Conservation Forum (SKECF)

The representative advised that the most recently scheduled SKECF meeting had been postponed as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  An e-newsletter update had been circulated to the SKECF membership and a Zoom meeting was to be held during the Autumn.

South Devon & Channel Shellfishermen

In emphasising the importance of the China market, the representative advised that the price of shellfish had been fluctuating greatly in recent months.

In addition, the representative confirmed that there had been very few incidents on the Fish Quay since her last update had been given to the Board.

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Marine Business Forum

The representative confirmed that a number of businesses had successfully been in receipt of Discretionary Grant funding.

Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club (KEBC)

The representative informed that he had nothing to report to this meeting.

East Portlemouth

The representative informed that he had nothing to report to this meeting.

SH.13/20

The Board considered a report that sought to propose a draft 2021/22 Budget to Council.

In discussion, reference was made to:

(a)     the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  A Member felt that the draft 2021/22 Budget proposals did not reflect the impact of the Pandemic and he could see no justification for the proposal to contribute £163,000 in Reserves at this current time;

(b)     the work of both the Harbour Authority and Finance officers.  A number of Members wished to thank officers for their work during the Pandemic and confirmed their support for the proposals as presented.

It was then:

SH.14/20        

Consideration was given to a report that sought to recommend to Council that the draft Fees and Charges for 2021-22 be approved.

In discussion, the following points were raised:

(a)     A Member reiterated his earlier concerns (Minute SH.13/20 above refers) that the proposed Fees and Charges for 2021/22 were not sympathetic to the grave economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic;

(b)   An additional recommendation was PROPOSED and SECONDED as follows:

‘That a Hardship Fund (up to £10,000 to be funded from the General Reserve) be established, with the details underpinning the Fund being presented back to the next Board meeting for its approval.’

In debate on this addition, Members felt that this may go some way to mitigating the impact on local businesses of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  In addition, it was requested that Council officers obtain a legal opinion on the feasibility of establishing such a Fund prior to the recommendation being presented to the Council meeting to be held on 17 December 2020.  When put to the vote, this addition was declared CARRIED.

It was then:

SH.15/20                    

The Council considered a report that sought a recommendation from the Board to adopt a revised Enforcement Policy.

In discussion, the Board wished to record its thanks to those who had been involved in the development of the Policy, which was considered to be a crucial piece of work.

It was then:

SH.16/20        

A report was presented that updated the Board on a number of recent issues affecting the Harbour.

In discussion, reference was made to:-

(a)     the increased number of open water and recreational users in the Harbour.  In citing the increased number, some Members were of the view that there was a need to review the standard (and positioning) of signage within the Harbour;

(b)     the proposed dredging timetable.  The Board expressed its support for the proposed dredging timetable as outlined in the presented agenda report;

(c)     Harbour Security contract.  Members acknowledged the contents of Mr Allen’s submission earlier in the meeting (Minute SH.11/20 above refers) and were aware of similar concerns having been raised over the current Harbour Security Contract.  As a way forward, the Board concluded that it would be appropriate for a Working Group of Members (comprising of Ms Jones, Cllr Long, Mr Mackley and Mr Stewart) to be established to review the options for the next Harbour Security Contract.  The importance of the involvement of local police representatives as part of the review was also recognised;

(d)     Electric charging points provision.  Members were of the view that there was both a need to upgrade and increase the provision of electric charging points within the Harbour.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.       That the content of the Harbour Master’s Update report be noted and endorsed;

2.       That the funding of the dredging project (up to a maximum cost as set out in the agenda report) be approved and funded from the Salcombe Harbour General Reserve; and

3.       That a Working Group (comprising of Ms Jones, Cllr Long, Mr Mackley and Mr Stewart) be established to review the options for the next Harbour Security Contract.