Agenda and draft minutes

SH.1/24

It was noted that apologies for absence for this Board Meeting had been received from Cllr McKay.

to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 18 March 2024:

SH.2/24

The minutes of the Salcombe Harbour Board meeting held on 18 March 2024 were confirmed as a true and correct record

brought forward at the discretion of the Chairman

SH.3/24

(a)         Mr Christopher Plant

The Chairman informed that he had one urgent item of business that he wished to raise at this meeting that related to Mr Christopher Plant’s tenure as a Co-Opted Member of the Board.

Mr Plant had informed the Chairman that, due to work and family commitments, he had made the difficult decision to resign from the Board with immediate effect.  In so doing, Mr Plant had advised that he looked forward to both closely working with and supporting the Board in its future endeavours.

On behalf of the Board, the Chairman stated that it was his intention to write to Mr Plant to formally thank him for his commitment and work during his time serving as a Co-Opted Member.

With regard to replacing Mr Plant, the Board was reminded of the following decision of the District Council’s Executive from the meeting held on 28 June 2023 (Minute E.12/23 refers):

‘That in the event of a further ad-hoc vacancy arising, Mark Alexander be automatically appointed as a Salcombe Harbour Board Co-Opted Member, with delegated authority being given to the Director of Place and Enterprise and the Head of Democratic Services to fix the term of office in that eventuality.’

Officers had received confirmation from Mr Alexander that he was still keen on joining the Board and it was intended that the necessary arrangements would now be put in place to make this happen.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Members are invited to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registerable Interests and Non-Registerable Interests including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

SH.4/24

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

Cllrs Bonham and Dennis, Ms Allen and Messrs Owens and Stewart each declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in all related agenda items by virtue of paying harbour duties.  As set out at a previous Board meeting (Minute SH.3/23 refers), the Monitoring Officer had granted each of these Members a dispensation and they were therefore able to take part in the debate and vote on any related matters.

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

SH.5/24

In accordance with the Public Question Time Procedure Rules, there was no questions raised to the Board.

SH.6/24

A Deputy Harbour Master advised that, in response to a recent incident on the Fish Quay, discussions had been held between the Harbour Authority and the District Council in respect of how the two organisations interacted with one another in that location.

SH.7/24

Consideration was given to a report that sought the approval of the Board to carrying out a public consultation exercise on:

-        The draft Five-Year Strategic Business Plan; and

-        The draft Moorings Policy for 2025.

In discussion, the following points were raised:

(a)   Members were invited to provide their comments and thoughts on the draft documents within the next four weeks before both were then subject to a public consultation exercise.  In addition, officers confirmed that both documents would be checked by legal representatives before they were published;

(b)   It was acknowledged that some of the target dates set out in the draft Strategic Business Plan were aspirational.  In contrast, another Member was of the view that some of the environmental related targets could be more ambitious.  Once adopted, it would be an expectation for the Board to formally review progress against the Plan on an annual basis;

(c)   The presentation and format of the draft Business Plan was welcomed by Board Members;

(d)   For both consultation exercises, assurances were given to Members that a comprehensive Communications Strategy would be undertaken;

(e)   With regard to the draft Moorings Policy, Members asked that the document be proofread prior to publication to ensure consistency of decision-making approach when referencing the Harbour Authority and/or Harbour Master and/or Harbour Board;

(f)    The need to ensure that the visions set out in both documents were consistent was highlighted;

(g)   Whilst accepting of the Moorings Policy approach to second homeowners, a Member did still wish to make the point that homeowners who let out their properties contributed significantly to the local economy’

It was then:

RESOLVED

That the Board agree to a public consultation exercise being carried out on:

o   The draft Five-Year Strategic Business Plan; and

o   The draft Moorings Policy for 2025.

SH.8/24

The Board considered a report that advised it of the Harbour’s final trading position in 2023/24 together with brief details of the main variations from the original budget.

In discussion, the general positivity of the report was welcomed.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That the Board:

1.     notes the income and expenditure variations for the 2023/24 Financial Year;

2.     notes the overall trading surplus of £91,135; and

3.     resolves to allocate this surplus to the Harbour’s General (Revenue Account) Reserve.

SH.9/24

In discussion, the following points were raised:

(a)   It was confirmed that officers were working particularly hard with local commercial operators;

(b)   A Member asked that it be recorded that there was an issue in relation to the need for dredging works to be carried out at the Kingsbridge Pontoon.

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

SH.10/24          

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 informed that the SKECF was due to meet later in the month and an update would be circulated to all Board Members following this meeting.

South Devon & Channel Shellfishermen

The representative advised that there were some concerns amongst the day Shellfishermen that had been relayed to the Harbour Master.

It was noted that the lighting in the Fish Quay area had been recently replaced and this had been well received by the Shellfishermen.

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Marine Business Forum

The representative made reference to:

-        the engineering / service based local businesses trading as normal;

-        the marine based local businesses trading was slightly down in comparison to previous years.  It was felt that this was largely attributed to the poor weather conditions that had been experienced so far this year;

-        all businesses hoping for a busy summer season; and

-        some concerns had been raised over the need for dredging works to be carried out on the commercial pontoon at Batson.

Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club (KEBC)

The Board Chairman informed that he was to imminently meet with Executive Committee of the Boat Club.  The excellent working relationship between the Club and the Harbour Authority was recognised and it was hoped that this would continue to develop to the benefit of both organisations.

As a general point, Members were reminded that representatives from those town and parish councils adjoining the Kingsbridge to Salcombe Estuary were welcome to attend Harbour Board meetings.  Furthermore, the Board Chairman confirmed that he was more than happy to attend meetings of these local town and parish councils should there be a wish for him to do so.

to consider the following resolution to exclude the public and press:-

 “That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business in order to avoid the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”

SH.11/24          

It was then:

RESOLVED

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business in order to avoid the likely disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act”

SH.12/24          

An exempt report was considered by the Board that set out the relevant information required to support a recommendation to replace the current harbour moorings barge.

In discussion, the workshop that had recently been convened to informally consider all options had been welcomed and Member support was expressed for the proposed way forward.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.     That the procurement of a replacement harbour moorings barge be endorsed; and

SH.13/24          

The Board considered the exempt closing report for the Salcombe Harbour Depot project.

In the ensuing discussion, particular reference was made to:

(a)   the amount of officer time involved in the project.  In recognition of the considerable amount of officer time that had been involved in the project, the Board wished to put on record it thanks to all of those who had been involved in reaching this point;

(b)   the intention to arrange an official opening in due course.  It was confirmed that, once a date had been fixed, all Board Members would be invited to attend;

(c)   the recommended way forward.  The Board highlighted the recommended way forward that was set out in the project closure report and expressed its support for this course of action.