SH.5/18
In accordance with the
Procedure Rules, the following members of the public addressed the
Board:
(a)
Tim Tucker (South Sands
Ferry)
Mr Tucker
stated his concerns over the recent dinghy races and the fact that
the Harbour had been closed for a 50 minute time
period. Whilst accepting that it was
inappropriate for the Board to consider this matter further at this
meeting, Mr Tucker asked that consideration be given in the future
to implementing alternative measures rather than closing the
Harbour (e.g. by imposing staggered start times).
(b)Dick Martin (Egremont)
Mr Martin
highlighted agenda item 12 (Minute SH.10/18 below refers) and read
a statement in support of the Egremont
retaining its mooring. In urging the
Board to reconsider its current stance on the return of the
Egremont, Mr Martin’s statement
made specific reference to:-
(i)
the local economic benefits arising from the
Egremont’s return;
(ii)
the intention of the Egremont to offer sailing and other watersport opportunities to disadvantaged
children. Mr Martin asked that the
Board give consideration to the wellbeing of these children before
making a final decision;
(iii)
his confidence that the Egremont would not become a noisy party
ship. It was confirmed that the
intention would be for a well-managed, tightly controlled facility
to be created that would not be a nuisance in the
Harbour;
(iv)
the intended corporate hospitality events would
ensure the financial wellbeing of the business;
(v)
these proposals not constituting a new business
start-up;
(vi)
the contents and tone of the Board letter having
caused a crisis in confidence amongst the financial backers who
were supporting the business venture.
Furthermore, Mr Martin questioned whether it was fair for the
Egremont to lose its rightful home
especially when considering that £300,000 had already been
spent on its restoration;
(vii)
the Egremont’s
Moorings having been paid up to and including March
2018. In addition, Mr Martin clarified
that no further payments had been made since he had not received an
invoice for payment beyond this period;
(viii) the ship
having previously been an eyesore and an embarrassment. Mr Martin reassured the Board that the returning
ship would come back to the Harbour in an excellent
condition;
(ix) his guarantees
that all aspects of the returning ship would be fully compliant
with the safe running of the Harbour.
Moreover, the ship would be an environmentally friendly
vessel;
(x)
the Rivermaid. For clarity,
Mr Martin informed that the viability of the Rivermaid was an important part of the overall
project and its operation was financially unsustainable without the
Egremont;
(xi) it being his
wish to present the financial modelling that underpinned the
project to a future Board meeting. When
questioned, Mr Martin reiterated that he had no reason to doubt the
veracity of the finance that supported this project.
In
conclusion, Mr Martin thanked the Board for enabling him the
opportunity to make his address and he hoped that he could work
with the Board to bring the Egremont
back ...
view the full minutes text for item SHB.5/18