a period of up to 15 minutes is available to deal with questions from the public
Minutes:
SH.13/17
In accordance with the Public Question Time Procedure Rules, the following members of the public addressed the Board:
(a) Anna Turns
Ms Turns provided Board Members with a paper that she spoke to that outlined the issues associated with tackling the issue of ocean plastics in the Estuary.
Of particular note during her introduction, Ms Turns advised that the current practice of balloons being thrown into the Estuary during the annual Crabbers Race was totally contrary to the Eco Port status gained by the Estuary in 2014. Ms Turns also informed that balloons branded as being ‘biodegradable’ were not actually biodegradable and there was a need for education and promotion of good working practices to reduce the volume of plastic entering the Estuary. Furthermore, Ms Turns asked the Board to give consideration to imposing some form of penalty on individuals who were found to be throwing plastics into the Estuary.
In the ensuing discussion, reference was made to:-
(i) the role of the Shellfishermen. Members felt that this matter should also be presented to a future meeting of the Shellfishermen Committee. In addition, a Member made the point that the Shellfishermen brought in a great deal of waste and plastic and they were generally supportive of the importance of tackling this issue;
(ii) the imposing of a Marine Litter Byelaw. The view was expressed that use of a Byelaw would be a particularly heavy penalty;
(iii) the Eco Port status. In recognising the importance of the status, some Members requested that a regular item be included on the agenda for Board meetings in relation to: ‘Updates and Issues Relating to the Estuary being an Eco Port’. Indeed, such was the significance of this matter, that Members commented that it should be taken seriously by both the Harbour Authority and the Town Council;
(iv) the extent of litter and plastics amassing by the wall at the end of the Charleton Marsh. In expressing concerns, a Member asked that consideration be given to addressing the amount of litter and plastics at the end of the Charleton Marsh;
(v) the lack of an obvious biodegradable alternative for the balloons used during the Crabbers Race. The Board agreed that Mr Mackley would be assigned the task of looking into potential alternative solutions.
In the meantime, the Board agreed that it would be disappointed to see balloons being used in future races. Moreover, the Harbour Master was directed to co-ordinate an open letter from the District Council; the Town Council; the Board; the Shellfishermen; and other key Stakeholders stating our combined opposition to the use of single use plastics and balloons in particular.
(b) Dick Martin
Mr Martin introduced himself to Members and, aware that the Egremont had been discussed at recent Board meetings, was in attendance to respond to any questions.
By way of an update, Mr Martin expressed his confidence that the Egremont would return to Salcombe in the future and would be fitted to a very high standard that would be a real asset to the Estuary. However, in light of the project being so extensive, coupled with the vessel needing more repair work than had initially been envisaged, the exact timing of its return was proving difficult to predict.
In the ensuing questioning, reference was made to:-
- assurances over the funding streams. In response to a request, Mr Martin confirmed that he was happy to provide a cast iron assurance that the funding streamswere in place. Furthermore, Mr Martin advised that, as a goodwill gesture, his finance partners were happy to commit 10% towards the Mooring Fee and it was agreed that the Board would make a decision on this matter at its next meeting;
- anticipated timescales. Mr Martin estimated that the works would constitute a 9/10 month project and it was therefore unlikely that the vessel would be able to return before the May 2018 deadline. Whilst it would be ready to return before October 2018, it was acknowledged that there would be too many vessels in the Estuary to ensure that it could return safely. Nonetheless, Mr Martin assured the Board that all interested parties would be made aware of whether or not the vessel would be ready to return before the start of next summer at the very latest;
- its pontoon. Mr Martin informed that he had received verbal assurances that the pontoon was safe and that this could be supported through written guarantees. The Harbour Master advised that a surveyor was to make a report on the state of all pontoons and the importance of them being secure and safe was emphasised;
- the Kingsbridge / Salcombe Ferry. Having now completed a season of operating, Mr Martin advised that the trading position for the Ferry was far better than he had anticipated. In addition, Mr Martin stated that he was negotiating with the Ferry owner in an attempt to complete a deal with the current owner. In taking encouragement from this update, some Members wished Mr Martin well in this regard and asked that consideration be given to the window of operation being extended. Finally, Members requested that Mr Martin maintain regular lines of communication with the Board and Harbour Master;
- Jubilee Quay. Whilst it served its functional purpose, the Board requested that the Council take a far greater interest in the Quay;
- the ‘Plymouth Princess’ activity. Mr Martin made reference to an opportunity to bring the ‘Plymouth Princess’ to Salcombe, which would provide the option of ferry trips to places such as Dartmouth and Plymouth. As a principle, Members felt this opportunity to be exciting but recognised some fundamental constraints (e.g. the lack of room in the harbour to accommodate the vessel safely). As a consequence, Mr Martin was encouraged to make a formal application for discussion by the Board at a future meeting.