To receive apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from External Advisor Mr Mike Stewart and Capt. Paul Lloyd.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 December 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Harbour Committee held on 16 December 2013 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered the items in Minutes 26, and not included on the agenda, the Chairman being of the opinion that they were urgent by reason of special circumstances i.e. the matter having arisen since the agenda was prepared and it was unreasonable to delay a decision until the next meeting.

The Harbour Committee welcomed the Owners of a collection of Word War II Motorboats who presented their proposal to Members to relocate to South Pier, Torquay Harbour their restored vessels to form a Heritage and Tourist Attraction.

The Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority advised Members that the  proposal to locate the four vessels on the north side of South Pier  would necessitate the removal of 15 existing vessels to the new inner harbour pontoon scheme and assured Committee Members that the presumption was that the current level of income from South Pier would be maintained.

The proposal had been presented to the Torquay & Paignton Harbour Liaison Forum, as outlined in the Forum Minutes, and had been received with general enthusiasm from the harbour users.

The Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority advised Members that the proposal had been brought to Committee with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman’s approval, to seek agreement from Members that they were content with the use of the Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority’s Delegated Authority to progress the move of the 15 vessels and aim to have the attraction in place by the end of April 2014 and in time for the D-Day 70^th Anniversary event.

Members were supportive of the proposal and thanked the Owners of the Heritage Boat Attraction for their presentation and for restoring and saving such magnificent vessels.

Resolved:

1.    that the Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority – Tor Bay Harbour Master, use his Delegated Powers to progress the Torquay Heritage Boat Attraction Proposal.

To give thanks for Mr Jennings service to the Tor Bay Harbour Authority and Committee.

The Chairman and Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority advised Members that the proposed presentation to past External Advisor, Mr Gordon Jennings, could not take place as he had become unavailable due to personal circumstances.

Members were advised that the presentation to Mr Jennings would be re-arranged.

The Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority advised Members that the Paignton Harbour Master, John Turner, was retiring on 31 March 2014 and thanked him for his valued hard work and expertise over the years and presented him with a token of appreciation.

To review the delegated powers of the Executive Head of the Tor Bay Harbour Authority.

The Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority informed the Council that harbour customers and the wider community, would expect the harbour authority to be fit for purpose and to regularly review the powers delegated to its senior management.

Resolved:

That having reviewed the powers delegated to the Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority as set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the submitted report, the Harbour Committee found no reason to refer any proposed changes to the Council for determination.

To consider a report which seeks agreement of the Tor Bay Harbour Authority Business Plan.

The Committee considered a report which sought agreement of the Business Plan for the Tor Bay Harbour Authority business unit for 2014/2015.

Resolved:

i)          that the draft Tor Bay Harbour Business Plan 2014/2015, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved; and

ii)         that the Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority and the Chairman of the Harbour Committee agree the final detail of the Tor Bay Harbour Business Plan 2014/2015, and sign the Acceptance Statement in Section 9.

To consider a report which seeks to amend the operational moorings and facilities policy.

The Committee considered a report to amend the Harbour Authority’s operational moorings and facilities policy. The Committee were advised that the policy sought to ensure that a consistent, fair and equitable approach was applied to new, existing and potential facility customers that use Tor Bay Harbour and the harbour estate. It also aimed to ensure that the policy and associated conditions were fully understood and recognised as being reasonable.

Resolved:

That the Tor Bay Harbour operational Moorings and Facilities Policy – Version 8 as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved.

To note the minutes of Torquay/Paignton and Brixham Harbour Liaison Forums.

The Committee noted the minutes of the Torquay and Paignton Harbour Liaison Forum meeting on 4 March 2014 and the Brixham Harbour Liaison Forum meeting on 6 March 2014.

To consider a report on the quarterly Budget Monitoring.

The Committee noted a report on the quarterly Budget Monitoring.

The Committee noted the amended outturn positions of the two harbour accounts and adjustments to the Reserve Funds as shown in Appendix 1 of the submitted report and noted the Harbour Master’s use of delegated powers to make decisions in relation to the budget allocated to Tor Bay Harbour.

Members noted  the Harbour Masters  use of their delegated powers to waive certain harbour charges , which this financial year amounted to £1,938.39 (excluding VAT), and which have been spread across both harbour accounts.  No additional charges had been levied.

To agree the Harbour Committee Work Programme for 2014/15.

Members considered a report which outlined the Committee’s Work Programme for the 2014/15 Municipal Year.

Resolved:

The Harbour Committee work programme for 2014/15, as set out in the submitted report, be approved.

To consider a report on the performance of the Harbour and Marine Services Business Unit.

The Committee noted the submitted report outlining the performance of the Tor Bay Harbour Authority Business Unit.  The Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority informed Members where performance was on target or below target.

Members noted that due to the extreme weather conditions a shortfall of Brixham Harbour Fish Toll income was expected by the year end.

To review and approve the Tor Bay Harbour Authority Asset Management Plan.

The Committee considered the submitted report to review and approve the Tor Bay Harbour Authority Asset Management Plan.

The Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority advised the Committee that the Asset Review Working Party had met on 24 February 2014 and reviewed the Asset Management Plan in accordance with their terms of reference.

Resolved:

That the Tor Bay Harbour Authority Asset Management Plan 2014/15 as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report be approved.

A briefing paper for Members.

Members noted a briefing paper presented by the Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority which had been provided by the Torbay Development Agency.

Members noted that the Executive Head of Tor Bay Harbour Authority would be writing to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) concerning the non inclusion of Brixham Harbour, under the heading of port infrastructure, in the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan and EU investment strategy. .

To review quarterly Accident & Incident for Tor Bay Harbour.

Members received a briefing note which provided an update of the current accident statistics for the Harbour Authority. Members were advised that there had been one fatality in the harbour since December 2013, which had been categorised as SU (suicide) and a hospitalisation categorised as ASU (attempted suicide).