MALDON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS
Printable pdf Minutes 16 January 2024 Ordinary Meeting
MINUTES –ORDINARY MEETING, Tuesday, 16 January 2024 at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT:
D Patient (Chairman)
P Ellum (Vice Chairman)
M Gibson (Treasurer)
C Anderson
M Chapman
A Fluker
N Harrisson
D Hansford
C Swann
A Wiseman
33 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Jim Dines, Nigel Cardy, John Dines, Clint Swann.
34 WELCOME NEW COMMISSIONERS
D Patient welcomed new Commissioners Charles Anderson, Dave Hansford and Colin Wilson. The meeting thanked Mike Gibson for his work as Commission Treasurer over the years. M Gibson will continue for a period to provide a hand over to the new Treasurer
35 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST
There were none, other than those declared during the meeting.
36 MINUTES – EXTRAORDINARY MEETING 14 November 2023
The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 14 November 2023 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 14 November 2023 be confirmed as a correct record, with an amendment (A Fluker’s name be included on the Present list).
37 MATTERS ARISING – EXTRAORDINARY MEETING 14 November 2023
N Harrisson raised the matter of the location and number of buoy lights in stock. This would be checked.
38 MINUTES –ORDINARY MEETING 10 October 2023
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 10 October 2023 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 10 October 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.
39 MATTERS ARISING – ORDINARY MEETING 10 October 2023
Minute 27 Item 2. The Triathlon was confirmed for Sunday, 4 August 2024, 12.20 pm. (Post meeting note: Blackwater Sailing Club have been notified.)
40 CLERK’S REPORT
Item 1. Commercial Harbour Dues Returns. These had been sent out. The deadline for Returns was Friday, 26 January 2024. Three returns (Wyvenhoe, Blue Mermaid and Marigold) had already been received.
Item 2. DfT Tonnage Returns. A reminder from DfT had been received. Their return was due by 31 January 2024.
Item 3. Harbour Insurance (due 29 February 2024). Winters had been asked for a quote. Last year saw a reduction in premium. The policy had been updated with the names of the current Commissioners.
Item 4. MDC Liaison Meeting. The MDC meeting scheduled for 16 January 2024 was been postponed.
Item 5. MHIC Standing Orders. These were as before. A digital copy and paper copies were available to refresh Commissioners’ files.
Item 6. Commissioners’ Details. Printouts of Commissioners’ Contact Details and Declarations of Interest were passed around for checking and updating.
Item 7. Report from MDC River Bailiff 10 January 2024
“It being Winter and not a lot happening on the waterfront, I’m afraid there is very little to report from this end. However, I would say that following information provided to the Council by Essex Police Marine Unit three offenders were successfully prosecuted in court during December for offences committed on the River Blackwater during last Summer.”
Item 8. Report from River Bailiff 11 January 2024 regarding approach from Home Office
“I met with the Information Gathering Team from the Home Office Intelligence Directorate this morning. We discussed reporting of sightings etc of suspicious activity along the coast and who might be able to assist them by reporting such activities. They were most interested in the annual meeting held by the Commissioners and have asked if they could come along and give a presentation of their work, could you please ask the Commissioners if this is something they would like at the next River Safety Liaison Meeting please.” MHIC had responded ‘yes’.
Item 9. 2024 Joint River Safety Meeting. Arrangements for this meeting had been commenced. Blackwater Sailing Club had been approached with a request for an available room in mid-March. (Post meeting note: date set for Wednesday, 13 March 2024).
41 TREASURER’S REPORT
M Gibson stated that 6 months’ service for the MHIC Emergency mobile phone had been paid by cheque to G Courtney.
The current balance stood at £12,428.12, with over £11,500.00 in the Business Premium Account. Interest rates had been rising and interest for the current year would be approximately £170.00.
42 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN TO THE END OF THE CURRENT COMMISSION YEAR, JUNE 2024
On being duly proposed and seconded it was AGREED that D Patient be elected as Chairman to the end of June 2024. (Unanimous)
43 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN TO THE END OF THE CURRENT COMMISSION YEAR, JUNE 2024
On being duly proposed and seconded it was AGREED that P Ellum be elected as Vice-Chairman to the end of June 2024. (Unanimous)
44 APPOINTMENT OF TREASURER TO THE END OF THE CURRENT COMMISSION YEAR, JUNE 2024
On being duly proposed and seconded it was AGREED that D Hansford be appointed as Treasurer to the end of June 2024. (Unanimous) M Gibson would provide support during a hand-over period.
45 NON-COMMERCIAL HARBOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
Following the Extraordinary Meeting of 14 November 2023 D Patient visited boatyards/moorings owners with a letter from MHIC. This was well-received with minor amendments. Written responses have been received from Marinestore, Heritage Marine, Landbreach and Chandlers Quay. Maldon District Council has also responded, pending a decision by Senior Officers.
D Patient and P Ellum reviewed the situation. The Non-Commercial Harbour Contributions Order would be posted on the MHIC website. P Ellum considered that it may need reviewing in the future.
M Gibson stated that income from Non-Commercial Contributions would help. Commercial Harbour Dues would not be the only source of income. He noted that there was now an extra out-going with servicing of the buoys having been contracted out.
There was general discussion including the possibility of approaching yacht clubs in the future.
46 COMMERCIAL HARBOUR DUES
These were last increased (2%) in 2016. An increase of 2.5% was proposed. It was AGREED to increase Commercial Harbour Dues by 2.5%. M Gibson commented that this could be adjusted next year. C Anderson suggested benchmarking against inflation. The Harbour Dues Notice was reviewed. It was AGREED that the previously drafted Note 3. be removed.
47 MHIC EMERGENCY PHONE
P Ellum suggested a sub-committee be formed at the next meeting. Cost was considered. C Wilson commented that it could be Pay As You go.
48 BUOY REPORT, BUOY MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY
D Patient reviewed the situation including safe practice being followed. H Swann was contracted for maintenance of buoys. John Dines would be the contact between MHIC and H Swann.
49 DREDGING
There was discussion. N Cardy would update Commissioners at the next meeting.
50 SILTATION COMMITTEE
N Cardy would establish the contact and pass it to the Clerk. The Siltation Committee should be restarted.
51 URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Item a) A Fluker updated from MDC. The Brent had received funding and had applied for a jetty. MHIC should be consulted.. Dredging at the Visitors’ Pontoon would proceed. M Harwood-White was leaving. A date for an MHIC/MDC Liaison meeting should be set.
The meeting was closed at 8.30 pm