Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
River Hamble Harbour Management Committee - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Friday, 13th June 2025
10:00 AM
Friday, 13th June 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Friday, 13th June 2025
2:00 PM
Friday, 13th June 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
13 Jun 2025
13 Jun 2025
Location:
Warsash Sailing Club (Shore House Shore Road, Southampton, England, SO31 9FS)
Warsash Sailing Club (Shore House Shore Road, Southampton, England, SO31 9FS)
Meeting Attendees
Co-opted Member
Councillor Steve Holes
Eastleigh Borough Council
Present, as expected
Chairman
Chairman of the Council
Co-opted Member
Captain Steven Masters
Associated British Ports
Apologies
Co-opted Member
River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators’ Association
Ben Lippiett
River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators’ Association
Present, as expected
Co-opted Member
Matthew Richardson
Association of River Hamble Yacht Clubs
Apologies
Co-opted Deputy
Councillor David Foot
Fareham Borough Council
Present, as substitute
Co-opted Member
Stuart Henderson
Royal Yachting Association
Present, as expected
Co-opted Member
British Marine - Vacancy
British Marine
Not required
Co-opted Member
Winchester City Council - Vacancy
Winchester City Council
Not required
Co-opted Deputy
Winchester City Council - Vacancy
Winchester City Council
Not required
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Cllr McEvoy, Matthew Richardson, Steven Masters and Cllr Burton. Cllr Foot attended as Deputy.
2
Declarations of interest
All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
Minutes
Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
No declarations were made.
No declarations were made.
3
Minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 February 2025
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 February 2025.
Attachments:
- Document 2025 02 21 RHHMC Minutes DRAFT 05 Jun 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
There were no deputations for the meeting.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman welcomed Stuart Henderson to the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee, following his formal approval at the recent full County Council meeting.
The Chairman also extended a warm welcome to John Newton, who will be taking over from Jennifer Wadham. The Committee expressed its sincere thanks to Jennifer for her hard work and dedication to the River Hamble Harbour Board and Committee. Her contributions have been greatly appreciated and her commitment over the years was formally acknowledged.
The Harbour Master and Committee members also joined in thanking Jennifer for her many years of dedicated service.
The Chairman also extended a warm welcome to John Newton, who will be taking over from Jennifer Wadham. The Committee expressed its sincere thanks to Jennifer for her hard work and dedication to the River Hamble Harbour Board and Committee. Her contributions have been greatly appreciated and her commitment over the years was formally acknowledged.
The Harbour Master and Committee members also joined in thanking Jennifer for her many years of dedicated service.
6
Marine Director and Harbour Master's Report and Current Issues
To receive a report to record formally RHHA patrol operations and inform the Duty Holder of significant events and trends having a bearing on the Marine Safety Management System.
Attachments:
- Document Marine Director and Harbour Master's Report and Current Issues 05 Jun 2025
- Document Marine Director and Harbour Master's Report and Current Issues - Appendix 1 05 Jun 2025
- Document Addendum to Agenda Item 6 of the Meeting of the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee 05 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Committee received an update report from the Director of Universal Services (item 6 in the minute book), which formally recorded River Hamble Harbour Authority (RHHA) patrol operations and informed the Duty Holder of significant events and trends affecting the Marine Safety Management System.
The Harbour Master advised that incidents of anti-social behaviour have been relatively low so far this year. However, he reiterated the importance of encouraging members of the public to report any such incidents immediately by calling 111, to ensure timely and appropriate responses.
Members were informed that during their visit in March, the General Lighthouse Authority identified seven defects among the 164 Aids to Navigation. All identified issues have since been rectified.
Councillor Philpott congratulated the Harbour team on the low levels of anti-social behaviour, particularly in light of the recent warmer weather, and expressed hope that this positive trend continues.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Management Committee recommended that the River Hamble Harbour Board support the contents of this report.
The Harbour Master advised that incidents of anti-social behaviour have been relatively low so far this year. However, he reiterated the importance of encouraging members of the public to report any such incidents immediately by calling 111, to ensure timely and appropriate responses.
Members were informed that during their visit in March, the General Lighthouse Authority identified seven defects among the 164 Aids to Navigation. All identified issues have since been rectified.
Councillor Philpott congratulated the Harbour team on the low levels of anti-social behaviour, particularly in light of the recent warmer weather, and expressed hope that this positive trend continues.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Management Committee recommended that the River Hamble Harbour Board support the contents of this report.
7
Environmental Update
To receive a report summarising activities relating to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between mid-February and mid-May 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Environmental Update 05 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Committee received an update report from the Director of Universal Services (item 7 in the minute book), which summarised activities related to the River Hamble Harbour Authority’s (RHHA) environmental management of the Hamble Estuary between mid-February and mid-May 2025.
The Environment Development Manager reported that the team had recently completed a booming exercise, which was carried out successfully. Further details and outcomes from the exercise will be presented at the next meeting.
Councillor Kyrle informed the Committee that the Parish Council has been reviewing recent reports and video evidence of blue green algae blooms. Following discussions with the Environment Agency, he advised that the issue has been escalated from a Category 2 to a Category 3 concern and is now being closely monitored.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Management Committee noted and supported the contents of this report.
The Environment Development Manager reported that the team had recently completed a booming exercise, which was carried out successfully. Further details and outcomes from the exercise will be presented at the next meeting.
Councillor Kyrle informed the Committee that the Parish Council has been reviewing recent reports and video evidence of blue green algae blooms. Following discussions with the Environment Agency, he advised that the issue has been escalated from a Category 2 to a Category 3 concern and is now being closely monitored.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Management Committee noted and supported the contents of this report.
8
River Hamble Final Accounts 2024/25 and Forecast Outturn 2025/26
To receive a presenting the final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ended 31 March 2025 and the forecast outturn for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Attachments:
- Document River Hamble Statutory Accounts 2024-25 & Forecast Outturn 2025-26 05 Jun 2025
- Document River Hamble Statutory Accounts 2024-25 & Forecast Outturn 2025-26 - Appendices 1 05 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Committee received an update report from The Director of Corporate Operations and Director of Universal Services (item 8 in the minute book), present the final accounts of the Harbour Authority for the year ended 31 March 2025 and the forecast outturn for the year ended 31 March 2026 to the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee for consideration.
The Committee received the report on the River Hamble Final Accounts for 2024/25 and the Forecast Outturn for 2025/26. There were no comments or questions raised.
The Committee took this opportunity to reiterate their thanks to Jennifer Wadham for her consistently detailed and thorough financial reporting over the years, which has been greatly valued.
RESOLVED:
The Committee received and noted the report, including the statutory accounts and management accounts for 2024/25, prior to their submission to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.
The Committee also noted the forecast outturn for the 2025/26 financial year.
It was further noted that there is a requirement to use the Revenue Reserve (RR) to ensure the full annual transfer to the Asset Replacement Reserve (ARR) can be made in both 2024/25 and 2025/26, and that this will result in a subsequent reducing balance.
The Committee received the report on the River Hamble Final Accounts for 2024/25 and the Forecast Outturn for 2025/26. There were no comments or questions raised.
The Committee took this opportunity to reiterate their thanks to Jennifer Wadham for her consistently detailed and thorough financial reporting over the years, which has been greatly valued.
RESOLVED:
The Committee received and noted the report, including the statutory accounts and management accounts for 2024/25, prior to their submission to the River Hamble Harbour Board for approval.
The Committee also noted the forecast outturn for the 2025/26 financial year.
It was further noted that there is a requirement to use the Revenue Reserve (RR) to ensure the full annual transfer to the Asset Replacement Reserve (ARR) can be made in both 2024/25 and 2025/26, and that this will result in a subsequent reducing balance.
9
Review of Harbour Dues
To receive a report analysing the financial position of the River Hamble Harbour Undertaking in order to make a recommendation on any change in Harbour Dues that may be necessary.
Attachments:
- Document Review of Harbour Dues 05 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Committee received an update report from the Director of Universal Services (item 9 in the minute book), analysing the financial position of the River Hamble Harbour Undertaking to make a recommendation on any change in Harbour Dues that may be necessary.
The Harbour Master presented a detailed report on the proposed 5% increase in Harbour Dues. He noted that the report was more comprehensive than usual to clearly justify the recommendation. It was explained that continued reliance on the Reserves to offset increases is no longer sustainable, and action is required to prevent the Reserve from entering a deficit.
The Committee was advised that the table at the end of the report illustrated the impact of the proposed increase on mooring holders, demonstrating that the adjustment remains reasonable. While an 8% increase could have been proposed, the Harbour Master felt that such a rise would not be justifiable at this time.
Councillor Philpott commended the Harbour team for the clarity and quality of the report and praised the excellent value for money provided to mooring holders given the available resources. Ben Lippiett endorsed Councillor Philpott’s comments.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends that the River Hamble Harbour Board approves a proposed increase in Harbour Dues of 5% for 2025/26.
The Harbour Master presented a detailed report on the proposed 5% increase in Harbour Dues. He noted that the report was more comprehensive than usual to clearly justify the recommendation. It was explained that continued reliance on the Reserves to offset increases is no longer sustainable, and action is required to prevent the Reserve from entering a deficit.
The Committee was advised that the table at the end of the report illustrated the impact of the proposed increase on mooring holders, demonstrating that the adjustment remains reasonable. While an 8% increase could have been proposed, the Harbour Master felt that such a rise would not be justifiable at this time.
Councillor Philpott commended the Harbour team for the clarity and quality of the report and praised the excellent value for money provided to mooring holders given the available resources. Ben Lippiett endorsed Councillor Philpott’s comments.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee recommends that the River Hamble Harbour Board approves a proposed increase in Harbour Dues of 5% for 2025/26.
10
Forward Plan for Future Meetings
To receive a report setting out the key issues which it is anticipated will appear on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board agendas in the forthcoming months. The Forward Plan is attached at Appendix 1.
Attachments:
- Document Forward Plan for Future Meetings 05 Jun 2025
Minutes
The Committee received a report from the Director of Universal Services (item 10 in the minute book), setting out the key issues which it is anticipated will appear on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Harbour Board agendas in the forthcoming months.
Members were invited to suggest additional content for future meetings. It was requested that a follow-up presentation be arranged with Southern Water to provide an update on the plans previously presented to the Committee.
Members also requested that an invitation be extended to National Highways to provide an update on the ongoing works on the M27, specifically in relation to the bridge over the River Hamble, including any associated mitigations and the impact on the river.
The Harbour Master agreed to contact both organisations and will seek to schedule their attendance at a future meeting.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee noted the report.
Members were invited to suggest additional content for future meetings. It was requested that a follow-up presentation be arranged with Southern Water to provide an update on the plans previously presented to the Committee.
Members also requested that an invitation be extended to National Highways to provide an update on the ongoing works on the M27, specifically in relation to the bridge over the River Hamble, including any associated mitigations and the impact on the river.
The Harbour Master agreed to contact both organisations and will seek to schedule their attendance at a future meeting.
RESOLVED:
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee noted the report.
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