MALDON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS
Printable pdf 12 August 20 Minutes of Meeting
MINUTES – Thursday, 12 August 2020, at 7.00 pm, Maldon Little Ship Club
MINUTES OF MEETING – 12 August 2020
PRESENT:
Jim Dines (Chairman)
I Hiner (Vice Chairman)
G Courtney
John Dines
P Ellum
D Patient
A Wiseman
7 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from N Cardy, A Fluker, M Gibson, N Harrisson.
8 INTRODUCTION
Jim Dines introduced new Commissioner Patrick Ellum.
9 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST
There were none, other than those declared during the meeting.
10 MINUTES – EMAIL ORDINARY AND ANNUAL MEETINGS 18 JUNE 2020
The Minutes of the Email Ordinary Meeting held on 18 June 2020 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Email Ordinary Meeting held on 18 June 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.
The Minutes of the Email Annual Meeting held on 18 June 2020 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Email Annual Meeting held on 18 June 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.
11 MATTERS ARISING
Minute 81, paragraph 2 – A Fluker would look into whether MHIC could reapply to Maldon District Council for a grant.
12 FORMAL CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF EMAIL ORDINARY MEETING 30 APRIL 2020, PREVIOUSLY AGREED BY EMAIL
The Minutes of the Email Ordinary Meeting held on 30 April 2020 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Email Ordinary Meeting held on 30 April 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.
13 FORMAL CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF EMAIL ORDINARY MEETING 5 MARCH 2020, PREVIOUSLY AGREED BY EMAIL
The Minutes of the Email Ordinary Meeting held on 5 March 2020 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Email Ordinary Meeting held on 5 March 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.
14 FORMAL CONFIRMATION OF APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTED AT THE EMAIL ANNUAL MEETING 18 JUNE 2020
Approval of the MHIC Annual Report 2019 – 2020 was AGREED.
15 TO CONSIDER THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF I HINER WHOSE PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT ENDED ON 28 JANUARY 2020
Deferred due to lockdown. On being duly proposed and seconded, it was AGREED that I Hiner be re-appointed as a Commissioner.
16 TO CONSIDER THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF D PATIENT WHOSE PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT ENDED ON 4 JULY 2020
Deferred due to lockdown. On being duly proposed and seconded, it was AGREED that D Patient be re-appointed as a Commissioner.
17 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Deferred due to lockdown. On being duly proposed and seconded, it was AGREED that James Dines be re-appointed as Chairman for the ensuing year.
18 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
Deferred due to lockdown. On being duly proposed and seconded, it was AGREED that I Hiner be re-appointed as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.
19 APPOINTMENT OF TREASURER
Deferred due to lockdown. On being duly proposed and seconded, it was AGREED that M Gibson be re-appointed as Treasurer to the Commissioners for the ensuing year.
20 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2019 – 2020
Deferred due to lockdown. It was AGREED that the Accounts for the year 2019 – 2020 be formally adopted.
21 CLERK’S REPORT
Item 1. The Maldon Little Ship Club now require to use the upstairs room on Thursdays for the bar. This is as a result of the need for greater space for social distancing. The upstairs room could be available to MHIC on Tuesdays or Mondays.
Commissioners chose Tuesdays. The Clerk would make the bookings.
Item 2. Register of Interests and Contact Details
The Clerk would email the lists to Commissioners for checking.
22 TREASURER’S REPORT
There were no matters to report.
23 HARBOUR DUES
The waiving of Harbour Dues for the current year was discussed. Some charter barges were running with very low passenger numbers. The income from Harbour Dues would be very low. The Harbour community was considered. It was AGREED that Harbour Dues for passenger craft would be waived for 2020.
The proposed increase in Harbour Dues rates for 2021 was discussed. The Clerk would send out the notice waiving 2020 Harbour Dues for passenger craft and would ask for passenger numbers, broken down by month, for 2020. This information would assist Commissioners in planning for 2021 rates.
There was no news on commercial cargo traffic.
24 BUOY REPORT
A check was carried out on 10 August 2020.
No 19 digit 9 poor, light cleaned (new type), bottom weedy.
No 17 digit 1 poor, top cleaned, bottom weedy.
No 16 OK, to cleaned, bottom weedy.
No 15 OK, light and top cleaned (old type) bottom weedy.
No 14 OK, light and top cleaned (new type), bottom weedy.
No 13 dirty, top cleaned, very muddy, bottom weedy.
No 12 digit 2 failing, light cleaned (old type), bottom weedy.
No 11 OK
No 10 OK, light cleaned, internal condensation not evident (new type), anti fouling on waterline degrading, weedy bottom.
No 9 OK
Harbour Limit Port OK, cleaned some bird fouling (old type), bottom weedy.
Harbour Limit Starboard OK
Overview – all buoys were in serviceable condition, although some improvements to anti-bird fouling deterrents required, particularly Nos 10 and 14.
Outstanding ground tackle, pennant checks and service remain a priority when possible. some buoy numbers are degrading but remain serviceable.
New type port buoy light removed from No 10 December 2019 due to failure. New battery fitted and is on test (two months approx). Now operating satisfactorily.
New stock lights 1 x starboard and battery, 1 x port ex No 10.
25 PUBLICATION OF NEWSLETTER IN LIEU OF AN ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING
This was discussed. Items for inclusion identified:
– the waiver of Harbour Dues for 2020
– sending the River Bailiff photos of anti social behaviour in the Harbour
– speeding notice ready to attach to Heron Point crane
– webcam
– other items as per previous Minutes of Annual Public Meeting
There was discussion of the problems of unsafe and anti-social behaviour of PWCs. There was evidence of an increase in PWC, boats, SUPs and canoes being purchased by inexperienced handlers.
26 URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Item a) A Wiseman expressed concern regarding siltation in the river becoming more pronounced. There was discussion of factors influencing siltation including the lack of rain and few boats being out during the lockdown which would disperse the silt. The silt was more noticeable in the Harbour than above Fullbridge.
Item b) There was further discussion regarding speeding PWCs and what measures could be taken.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 7.55 pm.