Agenda and minutes

(Please complete the form provided at the meeting or telephone Corporate and Community Services to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting) Items must be re-declared when the item is called, and Councillors must leave the room if necessary)

Councillor Fowler

All items – personal interest as was a trustee of Ilfracombe Yacht Club and a boat owner

Mr B Gear

All items – personal interest as was a member of Ilfracombe Yacht Club

·         The aid to navigation lights had passed the Trinity House audit which meant that the solar powered lighting project was not so urgent

·         The new location of the gig club storage unit, meant a survey of works was not required as it was no longer planned to go below the cliff face

·         The top rail on the safety barrier for the Waste Shark hoist had been lowered

·         The rusty gates on the steps to the second landing had been removed

·         Self- closing devices had been fitted on the end gates, harbour-side, at the steps to the loading and unloading area

·         the findings of the three areas audited were:

(i)            Incident Reporting and Investigation – which found no non-conformity or non-compliance

(ii)          Competency and Training – no non-conformity or non-compliance

(iii)         Drink and Drugs – One non-conformity found which was no reference to drink or drugs procedures in the Marine Safety Management System.  In the event of the Harbour Master suspecting a mariner to be under the influence of a substance there were no references to the procedures to be followed, the version being audited against was v2.2, (v3 would include reference to procedures when published after adoption at the next Board meeting)

·         the boats out had completed successfully over 7^th and 8^th November 2020

·         works still outstanding, but ongoing, were the fender works at the first  landing, the electrical conduits and the removal of the top chains along Quay wall

·         Examination and testing quotes were being sought for the mooring equipment and bollards on the Quay.  This was quite complex as there were four different types and no confirmation from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on testing criteria

·         The Environment Agency had completed repointing works on the Harbour wall by the Royal Britannia Public House

Lynmouth

·         The Harbour Master had attended a three day specialised training course for Harbour Masters, held in Southampton, which was attended by Harbour Masters from across the country.  It was a very good opportunity to network as well as being a very informative course.  It was hoped that the deputy Harbour Master would be able to attend the same course in the future.

·         As Ilfracombe harbour was now classed as a Statutory Harbour Authority (SHA) the two yearly records audit would now not be needed instead this would be five yearly

·         The funding bid to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) had been accepted and if successful would contribute to the cost of the CCTV upgrade

·         A second Port Security committee meeting was due to take place, at which no incidents were to be reported

In response to a question on when the harbour would hear about the EMFF application the Harbour Master advised the closing date for applications was 29^th November 2020 and it was expected to hear very quickly after closing date. 

·         A substantial bulge in the wall at stone bench was being monitored.  A further bulge near the fuel berth that was not impinging on the fuel berth was also being monitored

·         No formal meetings had taken place but regular emails were sent to members of the Forum

Quay Road Congestion

·         Issues with the increased numbers of visitors and obstructions along Quay Road to the carpark had caused problems for pedestrians and businesses.  The increase in footfall was a positive for the local economy, however, the gridlock caused by traffic traversing along Quay Road was off putting for families visiting.  It was hoped solutions could be found and put in place ahead of the next busy season but it was disappointing that there was no action to be seen to have happened as yet

The Head of Resources confirmed that this was a Highways issue under the remit of Devon County Council.  The Local Authority had no jurisdiction over street parking, and that the carpark access could not be closed off as the loss of revenue would be detrimental to the authority.

The Harbour Master advised that an onsite meeting had taken place with Devon County Council but that local Businesses needed to agree on a course of action as a way of moving forward.

Recycling provision

·         Works would be kept to a minimum with just maintenance jobs undertaken as and when required

·         Two self-closing gates would be installed one at the second landing and the other at stone bench

·         The British Ports Association membership was due for renewal the cost of which was £900.  The Harbour Master proposed not renewing this membership but instead arranging duty holder training at a time convenient to members

·         Five new oil spill responders were to have their training the cost of which the Harbour Master was requesting to use the Harbour budget to cover

·         Board members would be invited to attend the training session which was due to take place at Castle Quay, Barnstaple.  The Harbour Master would send out email invites with further details

RESOLVED:

·         Tuesday 4^th May 2021at 2pm

·         Tuesday 10^th August 2021at 2pm

·         Tuesday 16^th November 2021 at 2pm

·         Tuesday 1^st February 2022 at 2pm

·         Tuesday 4^th May 2021 at 2 pm

·         Tuesday 10^th August 2021 at 2 pm

·         Tuesday 16^th November 2021 at 2 pm

·         Tuesday 1^st February 2022 at 2 pm