MALDON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS
Printable pdf Minutes 25 April 2023
MINUTES – ORDINARY MEETING, Tuesday, 25 April 2023, at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT:
G Courtney (Chairperson)
D Patient (Vice Chairperson)
M Chapman
P Ellum
C Swann
80 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from M Gibson, N Cardy, Jim Dines, John Dines, N Harrisson, A Wiseman.
81 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST
There were none, other than those declared during the meeting.
82 MINUTES – MEETING 14 March 2023
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 14 March 2023 were formally received. It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 14 March 2023 be confirmed as a correct record, with the amendment of Minute 79 to show the correct date of 25 April 2023.
83 MATTERS ARISING
Minute 71 Harbour Dues for Leisure Craft
David Patient asked Commissioners to prepare for the next meeting by considering the issues and information needed to formulate MHIC Non-Commercial Harbour Dues. He would investigate houseboats. Commissioners needed to research other vessels/boatyards. P Ellum suggested a check list of what needed to be researched.
Minute 72 Lights
Lights had not been ordered because of cost. C Swann preferred the 2 – 4 nautical mile lights which although more expensive would last longer. He suggested buying as and when required because the supplier could deliver swiftly. Cost was an issue. G Courtney would buy one battery pack but hold off on lights.
Minute 73 Mobile phone for MHIC
M Chapman suggested Tescos as a cheap supplier. G Courtney would pursue the acquisition of a phone.
Minute 75 Dredging and siltation
This would be pursued.
P Ellum had been approached by Steve Sharp of Blackwater Sailing Club regarding the Visitors’ Pontoon. He had explained that MHIC is not responsible for the Visitors’ Pontoon.
C Swann had been approached by BSC asking for advice regarding work on their slipway. He referred them to N Cardy.
84 CLERK’S REPORT
Item 1. Maldon Little Ship Club. The MLSC had waived charges for MHIC meetings. The Clerk had conveyed the Commissioners’ thanks.
Item 2. June Meeting Change of Date. The June meeting date was proposed to be moved one week earlier to Tuesday, 6 June 2023.
Item 3. Maldon District Council. The new manager for Countryside and Leisure is Matt Harwood-White. He had welcomed the opportunity to meet Commissioners. A possible date for a Liaison meeting would be agreed.
Item 4. Update from River Bailiff. The River Bailiff responded to a request for any updates from MDC:-
“A couple of things the Commissioners might like to be made aware of.
● There is currently a Planning Application open for comment regarding works on Northey Island. Part of the works involve the placing of sunken lighter barges along the Eastern side of the island to arrest erosion of the protective banks and alternative use of dredged material – Eastern Bird Island. See MAL/23/03033 MLA/2023/00028
● The 8 knot Speed Limit Buoys will have recently been placed out in their usual positions by the time the meeting takes place
● Have the Commissioners been made aware of MGN 684 (M) Safety of Powered Water Craft, which has recently been published by the MCA. It contains some important changes to existing Colregs legislation in that owners, passengers and riders can all now be prosecuted for offences.”
Item 5. Appointment of new Maldon District Councillor Harbour Commissioner. It had been arranged with Charlotte Elderton at MDC that this will be done after the MDC local elections in May 2023.
85 TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer had emailed the report. The current balance was £14,931.13. This included the outstanding balance from Topsail of £6,472.70 which included owings from 2021 and 2022. Exceptional expenditure had included £2,196.00 for Ashfords legal advice and £1,485.11 for the Winters insurance premium.
86 To consider the re-appointment of PATRICK ELLUM whose period of appointment ended on 24 APRIL 2023
On being duly proposed and seconded it was AGREED that Patrick Ellum be re-appointed as Commissioner.
87 HARBOUR MAINTENANCE AND STATE OF BUOYS
G Courtney and David Patient had met with H Swann who was ready to start by 1 May 2023. Procedures eg invoicing will be formalised by G Courtney and the Clerk. David Patient reviewed the criteria he and John Dines applied when making the selection. He commented on H Swann’s use of a mud sledge as a Health and Safety measure.
88 FUTURE MEETING WITH MATT HARWOOD-WHITE AND NIGEL HARMER
The new Manager at Countryside and Leisure, Matt Harwood-White, had emailed welcoming a meeting with MHIC. The Clerk would fix a date. Suggested topics:- wrecks, Visitors’ Pontoon and dredging, communications eg events, payment for Harbour Dues by MDC.
89 URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
There were none.
90 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
This would be Tuesday, 6 June 2023, 7 pm at Maldon Little Ship Club.
The Chairperson closed the meeting at 8.20 pm