Agenda and draft minutes

SH.24/23          

It was noted that apologies for absence for this Board Meeting had been received from Messrs Owens and Plant.

to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 13 November 2023;

SH.25/23          

The minutes of the Salcombe Harbour Board meeting held on 13 November 2023 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

brought forward at the discretion of the Chairman

SH.26/23          

There were no items of urgent business raised at this meeting.

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.27/23          

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 and Ms Allen and Mr Stewart each declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in all related agenda items by virtue of paying harbour duties.  As set out at the 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.28/23          

In accordance with the Public Question Time Procedure Rules, there was one question raised to the Board.

( a)       Mr Tristan Stone

Mr Stone provided some background information to the Board on his yawl vessel business.  In so doing, Mr Stone informed the Board that he was now desperate for additional space within the Harbour to expand and set out the principles of a business proposal for which he was seeking Member support.

For clarity, Mr Stone recognised that his proposal was a sensitive one but he did confirm that he was fully prepared to take on sole responsibility for the associated financial and risk implications.

In conclusion, the Board highlighted the consequent economic benefits and was supportive and agreeable to the principle of the Harbour Master working through all aspects of the proposal with Mr Stone in an attempt to progress it.

SH.29/23          

The Harbour Master advised that, as part of the drive to embed an even better Health and Safety culture within the Harbour Authority, it was intended that the Board would receive (on every meeting agenda moving forward) an update related to Health and Safety matters.  In discussion, this initiative was welcomed by all Board Members.

SH.30/23          

The Harbour Master introduced a report to the Board that provided an update on a number of recent issues affecting the Harbour.  In particular, the report provided specific updates on service performance; major projects; and other issues that impacted upon the Harbour.

In the ensuing discussion, particular reference was made to:

(a)       the draft Five Year Strategic Business Plan.  Members noted that they would be in receipt of the draft Plan in the upcoming weeks to enable them to make comments and provide feedback to the Harbour Master prior to formal consideration by the Board;

(b)       the Commercial Units now being fully occupied and considered to be a huge success story;

(c)        the winter maintenance programme.  When questioned, the Harbour Master informed that the inclement weather throughout the winter months had presented its challenges and had resulted in the Harbour Authority being two weeks behind schedule in its vessel re-launch programme;

(d)       the enormity of the Harbour Depot project was recognised by both the Board and the Harbour Master;

(e)       the onus being placed upon growing the existing talent within the Harbour Authority workforce was welcomed;

(f)        confirmation that there was scope to add projects to the Council’s Capital Programme;

(g)        the recommendations generated by the recent Internal Audit.  Members felt that the Harbour Authority should be very proud of receiving such a positive Internal Audit.

SH.31/23          

The Board received a presentation from the Council’s Marine Projects Officer titled: ‘Marine Decarbonisation Activity’.

Upon the conclusion of her presentation, the Officer committed to providing a copy of the slides to all Board Members.  Following a specific request, it was agreed that an additional slide should be incorporated that included a picture of a battery cabinet (with reference to the ‘Electric Seaway’ (rapid charger) project).

In discussion, reference was also made to:

(a)       reducing carbon emissions through the Salcombe Water Taxi.  In terms of next project steps, Members were informed that a feasibility sea trial would be carried out;

(b)       the siting of a battery cabinet.  It was noted that the siting would require planning permission and Members emphasised the importance of undertaking an extensive community consultation exercise;

(c)        battery charging technology.  The officer informed that battery charging technology was evolving quickly and the Board commended the fact that the project was externally funded.  As a general trend, Members anticipated that there would be an influx of electric boat visitors to the Harbour and the importance of adequate charging provision was therefore emphasised;

(d)       the progress being made on the Harbour Carbon Footprint Study was welcomed;

(e)       the role of the Marine Projects Officer.  Members were grateful for the tireless work of the Officer and, in highlighting that the post was very much a trailblazer role, made reference to other local authorities who were now looking to recruit to a similar post.

In conclusion and, on behalf of the Board, the Chairman thanked the Officer for such an interesting and informative presentation.

SH.32/23          

The Chairman informed the Board that there was still further information to obtain before the Working Group was re-convened.  Once the Working Group had been able to meet, it was then intended that its final recommendations would be presented to the next scheduled formal Board meeting.

SH.33/23          

Officers informed that the Harbour Workshop project was now at its closing stages and an officer meeting was to be held imminently that would specifically focus on the length of time taken and lessons to be learned. 

As had been stated earlier in the meeting (Minute SH.30/23 above refers), Members acknowledged that this project had been far from straightforward and, as a result, wished to put on record their thanks to all officers who had been involved.

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

SH.34/23          

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, upon the conclusion of the next SKECF meeting, any relevant updates would be forward to Board Members.

South Devon & Channel Shellfishermen

The representative advised that the Shellfishermen were generally content.

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Marine Business Forum

It was noted that the representative had committed to circulating an update to Board Members outside of this meeting.

Kingsbridge Estuary Boat Club (KEBC)

It was noted that the Club had formally invited the Harbour Master to attend its next meeting.