MALDON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS
Printable pdf Minutes 14 November 2023 Extraordinary Meeting
MINUTES – EXTRAORDINARY MEETING, Tuesday, 14 November 2023 at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT:
D Patient (Vice Chairperson)
N Cardy
M Chapman
Jim Dines
John Dines
P Ellum
A Fluker
N Harrisson
A Wiseman
1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from C Swann, M Gibson, J Stuchbery (Clerk).
2 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST
There were none, other than those declared during the meeting.
3 INTRODUCTION FROM THE ACTING CHAIRMAN DAVID PATIENT
The List of Dates and the Calendar display for 2024 MHIC meetings were distributed. The next Ordinary Meeting will be on Tuesday, 16 January 2024 at Maldon Little Ship Club.
D Patient announced that he would resign as Vice Chairman at the 16 January 2024 meeting. There would be vacancies for Chairman (following death of G Courtney), and for Vice Chairman. Also, a Treasurer must be appointed following the retirement of M Gibson.
Jim Dines gave his Apologies for the 16 January 2024 meeting. He would be in Canada.
4 TOPSAIL CHARTERS
A letter dated 12 July 2023 from the Commissioners had been sent (via email) to Topsail Charters asking for their choice of paying Harbour Dues either by passenger numbers or net registered tonnage. Topsail replied by text to G Courtney on 16 October 2023 stating “. . . passenger numbers still looks the best option for us at present . . .” This was discussed. It was AGREED (unanimous) to accept Topsail Charters paying on passenger numbers and to take Topsail’s text of 10 October 2023 as an agreement to pay on that basis.
5 APPLICANTS/INTERVIEWS FOR POSTS OF COMMISSIONER
D Patient stated that there were three candidates and two vacant posts. He suggested that interviews be held at MLSC on Tuesday, 28 November 2023 using the time slot that had been booked for the MHIC Ordinary Meeting. The meeting on 28 November was cancelled because matters were covered at this EM. (Note: MHIC had fulfilled its minimum of six Ordinary Meetings per year. There were also two EMs in 2023.) There was discussion and it was decided that D Patient and P Ellum would interview candidates. P Ellum stated that there might be one more suitable candidate and all Commissioners concurred that if the person applied before 28 November 2023, they could be interviewed.
D Patient stated that the advertisement for the post of Commissioner had emphasised the need for skills appropriate to Treasurer. N Harrisson stated that the post of Treasurer should not be offered to one of the new Commissioners on appointment but should wait until the 16 January 2024 meeting. (Post meeting note: Commissioners subsequently agreed that the maximum number of Commissioners could be extended to 14).
6 NON-COMMERCIAL HARBOUR DUES
D Patient stated that most Stakeholders (eg boat owners, yacht clubs) had agreed to contribute to Non-Commercial Harbour Dues but without amounts being specified. A Fluker stated that Maldon District Council would also contribute. The “link man” at MDC was Matthew Harwood-White. There was discussion. It was decided that D Patient would draft a letter to all Stakeholders asking them to inform MHIC of what they would contribute annually to Harbour upkeep. D Patient would circulate the draft letter to all Commissioners for comment/amendment before sending it out to Stakeholders. N Harrisson stated Harbour Dues should start from 1 January 2024 and payment be collected in April.
7 COMMERCIAL HARBOUR DUES 2024
D Patient suggested these should be increased for 2024. An increase of 2.5% to Commercial Harbour Dues was suggested.
A Fluker pointed out that without current figures on MHIC costs it was difficult to know what rise should be applied. Commissioners reinforced the continuation of the current practice that Commercial Harbour Dues be reviewed annually.
8 TO CONSIDER THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF JOHN DINES WHOSE PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT ENDS ON 17 DECEMBER 2023
On being duly proposed and seconded it was AGREED that John Dines be re-appointed as Commissioner.
9 URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Item a) D Patient stated that the next MDC Liaison meeting would be on Tuesday, 16 January 2024. P Ellum, D Patient and N Cardy would attend. (Post meeting Note – this has been postponed.)
Item b) N Harrisson raised the situation with respect to buoy lights. Jim Dines stated that one broken light has been replaced. The number of lights in stock was not currently available.
Item c) N Cardy stated that MDC needed to dispose of boats properly. Two boats that MDC paid N Cardy to bring to Maldon had become unmoored. There was discussion with regard to MDC bringing boats for disposal into waters under MHIC authority.
Item d) N Cardy raised the matter of light pollution by Osea View Tiptree Tea Room and also at the Queen’s Head (The Hythe) and Sadd’s Wharf. Light pollution would be discussed at the next MDC Liaison meeting.