MALDON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS
Printable pdf Minutes of Meeting 30 September 2025
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Commissioners, Tuesday, 30 September 2025 at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT:
David Patient (Chairman)
P Ellum (Vice Chairman)
Dave Hansford (Treasurer)
C Anderson
N Cardy
M Chapman
Jim Dines
John Dines
A Fluker (District Councillor)
N Harrisson
C Swann
C Wilson
25 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from A Wiseman.
26 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST
A Fluker stated that he was a District Councillor. Otherwise, none other than those declared during the meeting.
27 MINUTES – ORDINARY MEETING
The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 12 August 2025 were formally received. The Minutes were AGREED.
28 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ORDINARY MEETING 12 AUGUST 2025
Minute 14 (2025) re yellow race marker, Herring Point. This was not yet placed. Commissioners will assess its location when it is set.
Minute 18 (2025) re MMO request for information. The MHIC Dredging Protocol was sent and there had been no further request for information.
Minute 20 (2025) re Maldon Triathlon. D Patient and John Dines inspected the turning buoys, which had to be repositioned.
29 CLERK’S REPORT
Item 1. Non-Commercial Harbour Dues Options. Invoices for Non-Commercial Harbour Dues had been sent out. The due date was 6 October 2025. Some payments had been received, with Sail Loft and Landbreach still outstanding. Invoice to Maldon Chandlery was delayed due to change of management so their payment was due later. Arrangements to invoice Chandlers Quay would be made.
Item 2. Dredge Protocol 2025. Following the request from Marie Canny at MMO for information about dredging, the Maldon Dredge Protocol was forwarded to her and she had not required more information.
Item 3. Joint River Users and Safety meeting, 2026. The meeting had been booked at the Blackwater Sailing Club for Tuesday, 3 March 2026. The BSC had kindly provided this free of charge and the Clerk had thanked them.
30 TREASURER’S REPORT
Bank Account stands at –
Community Account £5,375.66
Business Account £13,394.13
Total £18,769.66
Bank interest to date £92.42
Non-Commercial Harbour Dues received to date £1,410.00
Payment from Active Training World not yet due £150
£435.00 spent to date on navigation maintenance
Figures include Salary and tax payments
31 HARBOUR MAINTENANCE AND BUOY REPORT
Report from John Dines.
The Quarterly Buoy inspection was carried out on 28th August 2025.
All buoys had the upper sections cleaned, lights checked where applicable and were lifted clear of the water to enable inspection of the mooring arrangements. All were found to be in a serviceable condition and although the buoys still retaining the unmodified centres, showed sign of wear, none were so worn as to require immediate replacement.
However, No.13 Std hand, plastic, unlit buoy, has two of its three lifting lugs cracked and unfit for use although still in place. The intentions is, to replace this buoy with a temporary substitute and when ashore repair the cracked lugs to maintain the watertight integrity of the float and fit a lifting shackle to the centre tube to enable lifting, and thus avoid using the lifting lugs. This work is still pending during the period that the Contractor’s launch is ashore for repair.
On 26 September 2025, I reported the starboard hand Harbour Limit buoy was inverted. Apparently, this has occurred in the past I am told. Our Contractor has righted the buoy and reports some impact damage to the upper part leaving traces of blue paint and destroying some of the lettering. I have suggested we attach some ballast to mooring fixture to try and prevent further capsizes, assuming this was not caused by whatever struck the buoy.
32 REPORT BACK FROM MALDON DISTRICT COUNCIL LIAISON MEETING, 17 SEPTEMBER 2025
a) Report from Council meeting, Thursday, 4 September 2025, re dredging The Quay. MDC had not circulated P Ellum’s report on PAHs and there was no take up of the matters raised. MDC Officer would discuss with the MMO.
MHIC had not received a copy of the results from the second set of tests. D Hansford reviewed sampling procedures. A Fluker would remind the Council to send these results to MHIC.
At the MDC Liaison meeting on 17 September 2025, P Ellum asked for clarification. MDC insisted mud dredging was MHIC’s responsibility. P Ellum asked to see the MDC Barrister’s opinion and the original instruction.
MHIC have the power to dredge but not a duty to dredge, hence MHIC’s dredging of the channel is in line with the Order.
P Ellum suggested that problems had arisen from MDC not dredging at The Quay. MHIC could help, but must have indemnity.
A Fluker enquired if jet washing could be done. N Cardy stated that it would depend on the MMO views. Jim Dines stated that MMO had issued new exemptions and reviewed the new MMO rules. (The Clerk would send out a link to the MMO page.) MDC may not need a licence from the MMO.
There was discussion as to whether the mud was a hazardous material. It was noted that testing could be unreliable due to conditions eg tides, weather etc. P Ellum noted the assumption of contamination was questionable and that results received so far indicate that it is marginal. There was discussion regarding alternative dumping sites.
Commissioners concluded that MHIC could not comment until it had of the information, ie instruction given to Barrister, the Barrister’s full report, all results from testing. Commissioners did not agree that it was the responsibility of MHIC to dredge The Quay. P Ellum would draft a letter to MDC.
b) Wreck removals. 4 had been removed and there was one to be broken up.
c) Classroom/Maritime Centre; Gig Club Bailiff’s hut update. Note 147 from the MDC Liaison Meeting 17 September 2025, “Classroom – demolition has already started. There has been a problem with a garden subsiding, this is in hand. A skip is due next week. The site will be cleared and fenced. There will be a 2-storey building, toilets and showers. It is on the Maldon Plan.
Gig Club/Bailiff’s Hut – are under action. P Ellum expressed concern that the Gig Club should have tenure.
N Harmer is putting in for a pump out facility on the Quay.”
33 SILTATION STEERING GROUP
D Patient and P Ellum would be meeting Sir John Whittingdale MP, on 10 October 2025 to discuss the future conduct of the Group.
34 DREDGING
N Cardy reported that 7 loads had gone to Northey for Essex and Suffolk Water. 180 barge loads would be needed this winter for the National Trust but the source location was not yet identified. There would be 18 loads more for ESW.
35 MALDON TOWN COUNCIL NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
The MTC meeting to discuss this was drawn to the attention of the Commissioners.
36 MHIC EMERGENCY PHONE
This was still with C Anderson. No calls had been received. The Commissioners thanked C Anderson.
37 INSTAGRAM
M Chapman reported 451 followers (previous meeting 411), with lots of likes. The Commissioners thanked M Chapman.
38 WEB CAMS
C Wilson reported that this was on-going with a possibility of streaming to YouTube. The Commissioners thanked C Wilson.
39 URGENT ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Item a) C Swann reported that the launch used for buoy inspection would be back in use as soon as possible, within 2 weeks.
Item b) N Cardy reported that the Pontoon (S Hicks) was still sinking into the mud. Commissioners would email N Harmer River Bailiff and Sue Green MDC. (Action – done)
Item c) Jim Dines requested that an email be sent to MDC (Sue Green, N Harmer) regarding problems with a boat (Rosanne) moored at The Quay flying a pirate flag and which had dumped rubbish. (Action – done)
Item d) A Fluker asked for a brief summary of Actions and Decisions, this to be verified first by P Ellum. (Action – done)