Agenda and minutes

to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 18 January 2021

SH.24/20        

The minutes of the meeting of the Salcombe Harbour Board held on 18 January 2021 were confirmed as a correct record, save for the one alteration below:

The addition of ‘Pacific’ so SH.21/20 Feedback from Harbour Community Forums:

Salcombe Kingsbridge Estuary Conservation Forum (SKECF)

“…During his update, the Estuaries Officer made particular reference to concerns over nutrients from farmland entering the Estuary and the increased numbers of Pacific oysters being found in dwarf seagrass.”

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.25/20        

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, and Mr Stewart 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.26/20        

In accordance with the Public Question Time Procedure Rules, there were two issues raised:

Submission received from Rod Seymour and Nick Croft, “The Dock”:

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mr Seymour outlined their proposal for a floating bar/restaurant, with a hope that the barge could be operational for 2023.

Submission received from Keith Cockell and Peter Downes, “Salcombe Afloat”:

Mr Cockell outlined their proposal for a floating café aiming for it to be in place and operational for Summer 2022.

Following both presentations, the Chairman thanked all for bringing their proposals to the Board but advised that, as these proposals were not agenda items, the Board would not be able to give any formal recommendations at this meetings.  However, Members did comment as follows:

·          Salcombe Harbour was very busy during the peak summer months, with one Member commenting that activity on the water was at saturation point and the concept of a floating refreshment barge could have implications for the safety of water users, this being the responsibility of the Harbour Master;

·          It was noted that the concept of ‘Salcombe Afloat’ being mobile would impact on the sea bed due to anchoring at various locations;

·          Any vessel would need to be maintainable on site or at the Harbour;

·          Members thanked all for early sight of these concepts and noted that new businesses in the area were to be encouraged;

·          The Chairman then outlined that if either, or both, proposals were to be taken further, fully outlined proposals would need to be presented back to the Board as formal agenda items in the Autumn of 2021.  It was highlighted to the applicants that there was currently a lot of scepticism amongst the Board, and any further time or money spent on developing the proposals would need to be expended with this in mind.

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

SH.27/20        

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)

There had been no meeting since the last Board update, with the next meeting to be held on 30^th March, with the agenda for this meeting to be sent out soon.

South Devon & Channel Shellfishermen

The Board was informed that preparations for the coming season were well underway.  Exports were noted to be on the increase.

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Marine Business Forum

The representative advised that the Forum had met with Anthony Mangnall MP last week.  Mr Mangnall advocated for schools in South Hams to facilitate water sport activities and educational visits to the coast.  To date, no local marine business had folded and all were keen to get started again as soon as COVID regulations allowed.

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.29/20                    

The Board considered a report that provided an update on the progress that had been made on the Harbour Depot project.

Members emphasised the importance that these units, once built, should be for small, local businesses with rents kept affordable.  On behalf of the Board, the Chairman expressed thanks to all for the work involved to get the project to this stage and it was acknowledged that the next stage would involve a great deal more work from the Harbour Master and his team.

The Chairman then added to the recommendation and it was then:

RESOLVED

That the report be noted and the Board endorse the recommendations of the Executive to the Full Council meeting to be held on 25 March 2021.

SH.30/20        

Prior to closing the meeting, the Board then passed on their thanks to the Harbour Master and his team for the excellent way that the recent oil spill in the Harbour had been dealt with and the comprehensive report that had been published afterwards.