MALDON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS
Printable pdf Minutes of Meeting 16 August 2022
MINUTES – ORDINARY MEETING, Tuesday, 16 August 2022, at 7.00 pm, Maldon Little Ship Club
PRESENT:
D Patient (Vice Chairperson) Meeting Chairman
M Gibson (Treasurer)
N Cardy
M Chapman
Jim Dines
John Dines
P Ellum
K Lagan
7 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from G Courtney, N Harrisson, C Swann, A Wiseman.
8 WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONERS
D Patient welcomed newly appointed Commissioner, Mandy Chapman; also newly appointed Commissioner Clint Swann who was away.
9 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST
There were none, other than those declared during the meeting.
10 MINUTES – MEETING 28 June 2022
The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 28 June 2022 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 28 June 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 June 2022 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 28 June 20221 be confirmed as a correct record.
11 MATTERS ARISING
Minute 78 2022. Harbour Maintenance. A sub-committee would be formed at the next meeting.
12 CLERK’S REPORT
There were no matters to report.
13 TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported normal outgoings. Active Training had paid their invoice. The MHIC account balance stood at £10818.04.
14 REPORT – VISIT FROM BRIGHTLINGSEA HARBOUR MASTER
D Patient reported on the visit from Brightlingsea Harbour Master, James Thompson. It was a useful meeting. A number of topics were discussed including the setting of Harbour Dues and the situation which could arise if MHIC were dissolved. This latter would probably be that the harbour would pass into the hands of solicitors. There was one small port in the south which was privately managed (post meeting note: identified as Medina Wharf, Isle of Wight). N Cardy commented that Brightlingsea was of a similar size to Maldon but with many more moorings.
15 CONSULTATION – HARBOUR DUES; meeting 16 September 2022
D Patient reviewed correspondence on the subject including suggestions from G Courtney.
There was extensive discussion.
John Dines stated the importance of having a proposed scheme ready for the Consultation meeting on 16 September 2022.
Commissioners would hold a pre-Consultation meeting on 12 September 2022 to crystallise MHIC proposals.
Further discussion included:
– costs;
– duties and remit of a Harbour Master;
– collection of dues and contributions to costs;
– harbour dues basis – number of passengers or tonnage (net or gross);
– costs per boat – fixed amount or percentage;
– the role of boatyards;
– the need for simplification and clarity;
– consideration of identifying those who should pay and enforcement.
The discussion extended to the statutory remit of MHIC.
P Ellum informed the meeting that Maldon District Council would be prepared to add a sum on to MDC moorings.
16 DREDGING
To be deferred to the next meeting.
17 HARBOUR MAINTENANCE
A sub-committee would be formed at the next meeting.
18 TRIATHLON 2023
It was suggested that Active Training should not fix a date for the event until it had been discussed with MHIC who would advise on the suitability of tide etc. To avoid encroaching on the main channel, an alternative location might be advisable. Commissioners would write to Active Training.
19 URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Item a) Number 19 buoy had been inverted. Dean Cardy and Jim Dines attended and righted it. Commissioners thanked them for their assistance (Dean Cardy by email).
Item b) John Dines had taken up to date photographs of all buoy. The meeting thanked him.
The Meeting Chairman closed the meeting a 9.20 pm