Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Independent member Nigel Thomas.

Subject to the following correction to minute 21 Review of Harbour Charges 2024/25:

RESOLVED that the proposed Harbour increases be consulted on with Stakeholders.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2023 (circulated previously), be approved as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

 Minute 21 should read “RESOLVED that the proposed Harbour Charges be consulted on with stakeholders”, and signed by the Chair.

There were no items, which in the opinion of the Chair, to be considered by the meeting as a matter of urgency.

Councillor Williams declared an interest a non-registerable interest in item 8; Harbour Charges review 2024/25, as she was the President of the Ilfracombe Yacht Club.

Report by Health and Safety Advisor (attached)

The Board considered a report by the Health and Safety Advisor (circulated previously) regarding the Quarterly Designated Person Port Marine Safety Code Audit of Ilfracombe and Lynmouth Harbours.

The Designated Person highlighted the following:

·         The quarterly audits were carried out for both harbours, virtually, on 25 January 2024.

Actions completed since last visit – Ilfracombe

·         The work to repair the cracked stone facing on Old Quay Head was completed on 22 November 2023.

·         At the Council Health, Safety and Welfare committee on 21 November 2023 discussion took place around the proposed sea basin at the Verity statue.  It was agreed that external Health and Safety legal advice be sought to fully understand what the Council’s liabilities were as the asset owner.

·         Further to water bathing quality testing the Harbour Master advised that a meeting had been held with the Council’s Environmental Health team who were addressing the issue of water testing and this would be carried out regularly for the Harbour.  Users of the proposed sea basin would be advised when it was not safe to swim.  The kits used for testing were very similar to the ones used by the Environment Agency.

·         Councillor Wilson informed the Board that there was a Water Quality group set up in Ilfracombe, of which she was a member, and they were looking to expand their services to coastal water testing.

·         Councillor Patrinos was leading the water testing in Lynmouth.

·         Data results of the testing were not published but could be requested to be viewed.

·         It was determined that the handrails along the RNLI steps were owned by North Devon Council.  Those handrails along with ones at the old Slipway and the Watersports Centre slipway had now been replaced with composite rails.

Risk Management – Ilfracombe

·         Internal audits were carried out on the following topics:

(i)            Environmental Duty

(ii)          Risk Assessment

(iii)         Incident reporting and Investigation

(iv)         Plans and Reporting/ Consensus and Monitoring

(v)          Harbour owned /operated craft – not currently applicable

·         Non-conformities were found in items (ii) and (iv) above.  The Harbour Master was seeking to set up a Harbour Advisory Committee.  The Harbour Master would be discussing the setup of an advisory committee with Yarmouth Harbour Authority who had recently done the same.

·         Funding was still in place for works to be carried out, in April 2024, on the sinking joints between the concrete landings and the slabs on the steps on East Face Quay and Old Quay Head.  There was an ongoing trip hazard here until works were completed.

·         The bulged wall at Stone Bench was continuing to be monitored with the catchment netting working to limit movement.

·         At another area of Stone Bench, it had been noted that a section of concrete had sheered from the pier.  The Senior Engineer had inspected the damage and noted a number of potentially significant defects in this area.

·         A consultant, who was familiar with the location, had offered to carry out an initial inspection survey free of charge.

·         This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Report by Harbour Master (attached)

Councillor Williams declared an other non-registrable interest in this item, as she was the President of the Ilfracombe Yacht Club.

The Board considered a report by the Harbour Master (circulated previously) regarding Harbour Charges review 2024-25.

The Harbour Master highlighted the following:

·         One objection had been received from the consultation with stakeholders on the proposed Harbour charges review 2024/25.

·         As a result of the objection the Harbour Master was asking the Board the following question:

Ø  Should a discretionary discount be considered for one individual?

It was discussed and the Board agreed that the increase of 5% still left North Devon Council’s charges lower than neighbouring authorities and it would not be appropriate to award a discount to an individual when all other stakeholders had found the increase to be reasonable.

RECOMMENDED to Council that all mooring dues be increased by 5% and relevant miscellaneous charges be increased by 10% be approved.

Report by Harbour Master (attached)

The Board considered a report by the Harbour Master (circulated previously) regarding the Marine Safety Plan.

The Harbour Master highlighted the following:

·         There was an overarching Long Term Harbour Strategy, due to expire in 2026, in place and the Marine Safety Plan was one of three documents that had been separated out from this.

·         The Marine Safety Plan, if adopted, would cover the period 2024-2027.

·         The Business plan would need to be discussed at a separate workshop.

·         All the Marine Safety Plan’s objectives had been met barring one – the formation of a dedicated Operating Procedure for the newly opened Watersports Hub.

·         Since the opening in July 2023 it had become apparent that the procedures already in place covered the operations of the Watersports Hub and a stand-alone policy was not required.

·         An Incident Management Exercise was due to be carried out no later than 9 March 2025.

·         The Harbour Advisory Committee set up was in hand and due to be in place by the end of March 2024.

·         The replacement of Harbour owned moorings had to be completed by March 2026 and was well underway.

RESOLVED that the revised Marine Safety Plan be adopted; and

RECOMMENDED to Council to approve the adoption as duty holders for the Harbour.

Harbour Master to report.

The Board received an update from the Harbour Master regarding Aids to Navigation.

The Harbour Master advised the following:

·         The Harbour Master currently held the logins to access the Aids to Navigation performance and activity data for both Ilfracombe and Lynmouth Harbours.

·         Trinity House would review this data at Ilfracombe on 26 February 2024 ahead of then visiting Lynmouth Harbour.

Harbour Master to report.

The Board received an update from the Harbour Master in respect of Infrastructure.

The Harbour Master advised the following:

·         The Marine Management Organisation were open to the potential uplifting of funding already awarded to cover the cost of completing the replacement of the swing davits used by the potters on the harbour.

·         The fuel tank and fuel delivery pump needed to be replaced. 

·         There was Marine Management Organisation funding available which would cover 75 – 80% of the cost of replacement.

·         The fuel tank held 40,000 litres of fuel.  During an internal cleaning, it had been confirmed that the floor of the tank was bouncy.

·         It was anticipated that a total of around £100,000 would be needed to complete the project; this would mean a £25,000 contribution from the Council.

·         The Cove project was moving ahead, initial meetings had been held with partners and the available space considered.

·         The Harbour Master would relocate her office to the Cove.

·         The old office would be made available to rent.

Harbour Master to report.

No update was given.

Harbour Master to report.

The Board received an update from the Harbour Master in respect of Future Projects.

The Harbour Master advised the following:

·         Works had started on the Kiln roof adjacent to the Watersports Hub.  There would be a walkway link from the Kiln roof across to the balcony of the Lime Kiln Café.  This would expand capacity for the cafe.

·         Stand-up paddleboard yoga was to commence at the Watersports Hub with free sessions being offered to NHS workers.

·         The Maritime Academy was progressing with a visit from Petroc College who were assessing linking their courses with classes on offer at the Sea School.

·         An additional training/meeting room was to be included within the Cove project to be able to expand the Sea School.

Harbour Master to report.

The Harbour Master advised the Board that a Harbour Advisory Committee was being set up with best practice for doing so to be obtained and reported back to the Board.

Report by Lynton and Lynmouth Town Clerk (attached)

The Board considered the minutes of the Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council Harbour Sub-Committee (circulated previously) held on 24 January 2024.

The Lynton and Lynmouth Town Clerk highlighted the following:

·         The Senior Engineer had requested the contractors who had completed works on the stone wall opposite the Bath Hotel, Lynmouth, return to make good poor quality work.  The solution itself had worked well but the quality of work was poor.

·         The slipway had been sprayed and cleared of algae and a photo of the completed works had been sent to the Ilfracombe Harbour Master.

·         The steps down to the harbour, opposite the Rising Sun had large cracks, which were getting bigger.  A liquid coat as used by the Ilfracombe Harbour Master at Larkstone, Ilfracombe was to be used.

·         The Sailing Club reported that the raft race would be at the end of July or early August 2024.  Shanty singers wanted to hold more sessions and the sauna event went well.