Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Andy Hadley, who was present online.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Resolved that the minutes of The Committee held on 18 March 2024 be confirmed as a correct record

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

Councillors present at the meeting declared the following other registerable interests in their capacity as a Councillor of a Town or Parish Council or any other Local Authority:-

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

Public questions were received from:-

·       Debbie Allum – Fees and Charges (Read by Josh Barrett)

·       Allan Dwyer – Stakeholder Engagement/Fees and Charges

The questions and responses provided are attached to the minutes in Annex A.

To receive an update from the Harbour Master

The Chair of the Committee, Councillor Andy Sully introduced Acting Harbourmaster, Jessica Tyson to introduce the report. The report highlighted the role of the Harbour Management Committee.

After being read the report the following points were discussed:

·       Councillors requested clarification that this report is to be noted. Jessica Tyson confirmed this report is to be noted and not for decision.

·       Councillors asked for figures of usage of harbours on a year-by-year basis. Jessica Tyson confirmed this would be looked into and shared with the Committee. Although usage figures are not possible it would be on the basis of income.

RESOLVED – THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE REPORT

To review drafting amendments to the Memorandium of Understanding (MoU)

The Chair introduced Jessica Tyson who introduced the report. The report detailed to the committee that the Memorandum of Understanding had been through draft amendments. These amendments were mainly administrative such as updating Council addresses.

After being read the report the following points were discussed: -

·       Councillor Chilcott raised the typo in the report that December 24 should read December 23 in regard to when the MoU was confirmed at full council.

·       Councillors sought clarification on the amendments and the confirmation of what was amended. Councillor Andy Sully confirmed that the changes/amendments were administrative.

RESOLVED – THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE REPORT

To receive an update from Jessica Tyson, Harbour Master

The Chair introduced Jessica Tyson to provide an update from the Harbour Master. The update included work programmes for the ports and an update on stakeholder communication.

After being read the report the following points were raised and discussed:

·       Councillors queried if there were any known dates for when Dredging of Watcher Harbour would commence. Jessica Tyson confirmed that it was imminent but that no date had formally been agreed yet but it is hopeful to be before winter 2024.

·       Councillors queried an update on the lease of Watchet Marina. Jessica Tyson confirmed that this is also imminent.

·       Councillors queried whether a feasibility study for Dunball is required. Jessica Tyson confirmed that this is included in the port feasibility study. It was suggested that a summary of the feasibility study be sent to executive.

RESOLVED – COMMITTEE NOTED THE REPORT

To receive an update on stskeholder engagement and meetings

The Chair introduced Jessicca Tyson to give an update on Stakeholders Forums/Meetings. The update included information around the four main stakeholder groups and key points from the last meeting of each group.

Once the update had been received the following points were raised and discussed: -

·       Councillors shared positivity around how important Harbours are to Somerset and the local community.

·       Councillors are keen to work with officers to provide the best outcome for the Harbour.

·       Councillors sought clarification on the stakeholder meetings and if they were head up by Somerset Council. Jessica Tyson confirmed that these were all external meetings.

·       Councillors queried whether the minutes to previous meetings could be shared with the committee. Jessica Tyson confirmed that the majority of are available online, but that it would be investigated to see where the minutes are and potential to post links on Harbourmaster website for clarity.

·       Officers shared congratulations to Jessica for reconfiguring the Minehead Stakeholder Meeting Group.

·       Councillors noted that in the recent Cultural Strategy Report at executive coastal areas were mentioned so understand the key role in these areas play in local wellbeing and culture.

RESOLVED – THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE REPORT

To receive a verbal update on Bridgwater Dock Developments

The Chair introduced Jessica Tyson to give a verbal update on Bridgwater Dock Development. The update gave a brief overview of the project status on Bridgwater Dock.

After the update, the following points were raised and discussed: -

·       The committee would welcome a briefing from the Bridgwater Dock Project Team directly regarding the project. Jessica Tyson will endeavour to set this up before the next meeting.

RESOLVED – THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE REPORT

To receive a verbal update on Harbour Master website page

The Chair introduced Jessica Tyson who gave a verbal update on the Harbourmaster website page. The update concluded that the website is progressing but that a meeting is required with IT team to determine the direction the website needs to take, along with getting the necessary information to publish there.

RESOLVED  - THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE REPORT

To note the items on the Committees work programme

The Chair introduced the Work Programme and The Committee suggested the following agenda items to come to the next meeting: -

·       Harbour Business Plan

·       Environmental Policy

·       Dunball Wharf

·       Future Meeting Dates

The committee raised the need for clarification over the budget setting report. Jessica Tyson will seek clarification on this and feedback to the committee.

The Chair requested that the work programme be amended to follow the structure of full council and executive. Josh Barrett in Democratic Services will amend the work programme for the next meeting.

Councillor Leigh Redman requested the operation of the committee be considered and requested the following: The Habour Management Advisory Committee will write to the executive to enable HMC to operate in an informed basis, the committee requests Somerset council executive support to instigate administration to support officers in collating available data, report generation and future generation of data to help committee operate.  This was agreed it would be progressed by the Chair.

RESOLVED – THE COMMITTEE NOTED THE WORK PROGRAMME.