MALDON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS

Printable pdf  Minutes of Meeting 24 September 2024
MINUTES – ORDINARY MEETING, Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT:
D Patient (Chairman)
P Ellum (Vice Chairman)
D Hansford (Treasurer)
C Anderson
N Cardy
M Chapman
John Dines
A Fluker
N Harrisson
C Swann
C Wilson

21        PRESENTATION FROM NATIONAL TRUST RE NORTHEY ISLAND
Matt Wilson, Neda Asadfalsafizadeh.  The focus of the presentation was on benefits including 2024 plans for Western shore, Causeway and East Island.  The current situation was reviewed.  It was hoped to start on East Island later this year.  Gravel would be dumped first and then the lighters would be moved in next year.  The steel barges would be ex Environment Agency and would be properly cleaned.  All licences were in place and Trinity House has approved.
Navigation over the Causeway would not be affected.
M Wilson offered Commissioners the opportunity of a walk on Northey.

22        APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Jim Dines, A Wiseman.

23        DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST
There were none, other than those declared during the meeting.

24        MINUTES – ORDINARY MEETING 13 August 2024
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 13 August 2024 were formally received.  The Minutes were AGREED.

25        MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ORDINARY MEETING 18 June 2024
There were none.

26        CLERK’S REPORT
Item 1.            LARS updated.  Trinity House LARS system had been updated with Buoy No 19 unlit.
Item 2.            MHIC Meetings.  Further to last meeting, a copy of the Calendar and List of Meetings has been circulated.

27        TREASURER’S REPORT
Business account stood at £10,977.84, Community account stood at £5,054.37.
Income for the period included Non-Commercial Harbour Dues and payment for services at the Maldon Triathlon.  There were still two Non-Commercial Harbour Dues payments outstanding which were being chased.  Expenditure was for buoy maintenance.

28        REVIEW OF NON-COMMERCIAL HARBOUR DUES SCHEME
Payments received and outstanding as per Treasurer’s Report, Minute 27.

29        PROPOSED VISIT FROM MCGA PORTS AND VTS MANAGER
N Harrisson asked if MHIC would be charged.  The Clerk would ask for more information.

30        HARBOUR MAINTENANCE AND STATE OF BUOYS
John Dines reviewed the refurbishment of Buoy No 19.  If the modifications prove successful he will instigate a rolling programme for buoys as appropriate.  The cost would be approximately £75.  On this occasion John Dines had provided his time machining and fitting gratis.
For the next inspection he had asked H Swann to ship a pressure washer to clean the buoys inspected.

31        MDC LIAISON MEETING, WEDNESDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2024
There was discussion on dredging.  P Ellum would ask about funding for Quay projects.  N Cardy asked for disposal of wreck to be added to the Agenda.  There was concern about collisions and accidents with wreck and where responsibility lay.

32        JOINT RIVER SAFETY MEETING FOR 2025
There was discussion as to whether it should continue as an annual event and should be called a Safety Meeting.  C Swann suggested late March or early April.  The 2025 meeting would go ahead in March 2025.  C Swann identified the need for youngsters eg cadets to be reminded of safe practice and also those doing training courses.

33        INSTAGRAM
M Chapman reviewed.  Instagram was appropriate but Twitter X and Facebook were not.  The MHIC Instagram had 134 followers including RNLI, local river users and businesses.  Pictures of buoys had been posted showing the maintenance being carried out.  C Swann had contributed attractive and informative pictures.  Notices to Mariners and notices of Harbour Events had also been posted.

34        WEB CAMS
C Wilson reported that the web cams were working.  He would liaise with Maldon Little Ship Club.

35        MHIC EMERGENCY PHONE
C Anderson had received no calls and would continue to be the Commissioner on-call.

36        URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Item a)  C Anderson asked if there were any suggestions for nomination for the East Anglian Awards.
Item b)  N Harrisson raised the issue of a sunken boat.  This would be added to the Agenda for the MDC Liaison meeting.
Item c)  D Patient asked Commissioners to inform the Clerk if they were interested in the walk on Northey with a view to identifying a date.
Item d)  P Ellum asked for congratulations to be passed to the Maldon Regatta Committee (Jim Dines).
Item e)  N Cardy noted that in addition to the presentation from the National Trust, the bund had been moved and six barge loads had gone in there.  There were also six loads for Essex and Suffolk Water.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30 pm