The Chairman expressed his thanks to the Harbours Team and associated resort services for their response during and after storm Emma.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Amil, Bye, Hill, Robson and External Advisor Mr Buckpitt.  The Chairman also welcomed Mr Day and Mr Blazeby, new External Advisors.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5 December 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Harbour Committee held on 5 December 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To approve the recommendation for appointment of External Advisors by the Harbour Appointments Sub-Committee.

The Committee were advised that following an application and interview process, the Harbour Appointments Sub-Committee were pleased to recommend the appointment of Mark Day and Nigel Blazeby.

Resolved:

That Mark Day and Nigel Blazeby be appointed as an External Harbour Advisor for a period of four years until March 2022.

To consider a report that sets out the Tor Bay Harbour Authority Asset Management Plan.

The Tor Bay Harbour Master informed the Committee that the Harbour Authority operates a number of Council assets in order to deliver a safe and sustainable harbour.  The Tor Bay Harbour Authority Asset Management Plan was the means by which the Harbour Committee meets its obligations to provide strategic direction for those assets within Tor Bay Harbour and the harbour estate that it manages.  Members requested the Tor Bay Harbour Master investigate the future options for the Old Fuel Jetty in Brixham as a matter of urgency.

Resolved:

That the Tor Bay Harbour Authority Asset Management Plan 2018/19 be approved.

To note a report that provides Members with projections of income and expenditure for the year 2017/18 compared with approved budgets.

The Harbour Committee noted a report that provided Members with projections of income and expenditure for the year 2017/18 compared with approved budgets.  The report identified the overall budgetary position as at the end of February 2018 to enable appropriate action to contain expenditure and maintain reserves at appropriate levels.  Members were informed that a specific contribution to the reserve fund had been proposed as a contingency for storm damage costs, potential salvage costs and projected future year revenue deficits.

Members noted that the Senior Leadership Team would be commencing discussions with regards to the narrative for the 2019/20 budget therefore a meeting of the Harbour Budget Working Party would be held shortly in order to feed into this process the views of the Harbour Committee.

To consider a report that sets out the Tor Bay Harbour Business Plan for 2018/19.

Members considered a report that sought approval of the Tor Bay Harbour Business Plan for 2018/19.  Members were advised that the Municipal Ports Review recommends that local authority owned ports and harbours should produce a business plan that looks at the future prospects of the port/harbour and how it will meet the requirements of stakeholders.

Members requested the business plan acknowledge and make reference in the in the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities section, the potential impact of the country leaving the European Union.

Resolved:

i)       That subject to minor amendments being delegated to the Tor Bay Harbour Master in consultation with the Chairman of the Harbour Committee, the Tor Bay Harbour Business Plan 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved; and

ii)      The Head of Tor Bay Harbour and the Harbour Committee Chairman sign the Acceptance Statement in Section 9.

To consider a report that proposes changes to the Operational Moorings and Facilities Policy.

The Harbour Committee considered proposed changes to the Operational Moorings and Facilities policy, the policy ensured that a consistent, fair and equitable approach is applied to new, existing and potential facility users and serves as an effective management tool.

Resolved:

That the Operational Moorings and Facilities policy as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved.

To review the delegated powers pertaining to the Harbour.

The Harbour Committee considered a report that reviewed the delegated powers pertaining to the Harbour which have been transferred from the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services to the Tor Bay Harbour Master following his recent appointment.

Resolved:

That the Monitoring Officer be requested to review the changes made to the delegated powers of the Executive Head of Assets and Business Services and the Tor Bay Harbour Master and update the constitution.

To consider the Harbour Committee Work Programme for 2018-19 as set out in the submitted report.

The Committee noted the work programme.

For Members to note the latest accident statistics for the Harbour Authority’s operational area.

Members noted the quarterly accident and incident data for Tor Bay Harbour.  The Chairman expressed his thanks to all the staff that were involved in implementing emergency procedures when the Jordan A beam trawler was close to capsizing and potentially spilling significant amounts of fuel into the water.

To note the minutes of the above Harbour Liaison Forums.

The Committee received the Minutes of the latest Torquay/Paignton Liaison Forum and the Brixham Harbour Liaison Forum and noted the contents.