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, 19th December 2025
10:00 AM
Friday, 19th December 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Friday, 19th December 2025
2:00 PM
Friday, 19th December 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
19 Dec 2025
19 Dec 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
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Captain Steven Masters
Associated British Ports
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Matthew Richardson
Association of River Hamble Yacht Clubs
Apologies
Co-opted Member
Stuart Henderson
Royal Yachting Association
Present, as expected
Co-opted Deputy
Councillor David Foot
Fareham Borough Council
Apologies
Chairman
Chairman of the Council
Co-opted Member
Councillor Margot Power
Winchester City Council
Present, as expected
Co-opted Member
River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators’ Association
Ben Lippiett
River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators’ Association
Apologies
Co-opted Member
British Marine - Vacancy
British Marine
Expected
Co-opted Deputy
Councillor Ritchie Latham
Winchester City Council
In attendance
Monitor
Councillor Ritchie Latham
Copy docmts only
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor Graham Burgess, Councillor Stephen Philpott, Cllr Lance Quantrill, Matthew Richardson (Co-opted Member) Association of River Hamble Yacht Clubs, Councillor Joanne Burton and Councillor David Foot (Co-opted Members) Fareham Borough Council, Captain Steven Masters (Co-opted Member) Associated British Ports,
Councillor Steve Holes (Co-opted Member) Eastleigh Borough Council,
Ben Lippiett (Co-opted Member) River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators’ Association, Councillor Rupert Kyrle and Councillor Wayne Irish.
Councillor Steven Broomfield attended as a deputy for Councillor Quantrill.
Councillor Steve Holes (Co-opted Member) Eastleigh Borough Council,
Ben Lippiett (Co-opted Member) River Hamble Marina and Boatyard Operators’ Association, Councillor Rupert Kyrle and Councillor Wayne Irish.
Councillor Steven Broomfield attended as a deputy for Councillor Quantrill.
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.
3
Minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2025
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2025.
Attachments:
- Document 2025 06 13 RHHMC Minutes 11 Dec 2025
Minutes
The minutes were agreed.
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
There were no formal Chairman’s announcements.
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 11 Dec 2025
- Document Addendum to Agenda Item 6 11 Dec 2025
Minutes
The Committee received an update report from the Director of Universal Services (item 6 in the minute book), 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.
The report was summarised and it was confirmed that the Harbour Authority had no control in instructing those who use tenders on the river. Safety information was shared on a regular basis.
A supplementary report was also provided, detailing more recent incidents recorded since the publication of the papers.
RESOLVED
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee supported the contents of the report to the Harbour Board.
The report was summarised and it was confirmed that the Harbour Authority had no control in instructing those who use tenders on the river. Safety information was shared on a regular basis.
A supplementary report was also provided, detailing more recent incidents recorded since the publication of the papers.
RESOLVED
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee supported the contents of the report to the Harbour Board.
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 between June and November 2025.
Attachments:
- Document Environmental Update 11 Dec 2025
Minutes
Committee received an update report from the Director of Universal Services (item 7 in the minute book).
The report was summarised and the Harbour Authority’s statutory responsibilities and the limitations of those responsibilities were explained in detail by the Harbour Master. The update on the Solent Oyster Restoration Project was discussed. and members requested that Blue Marine Foundation be approached to present at a future meeting.
During questions, the protected nature of the River was discussed. Members were reminded of the Harbour Authority’s oil spill planning responsibilities. The Harbour Master explained that, following the Regulator’s (the MCA) reassessment of turnover, the Harbour Authority was not obliged to maintain its higher level contractual arrangements with an oil spill protection service provider but, given the nature of the River’s environment, it would continue to do so. This position had the full support of the Regulator.
Members discussed the diversity of fish, within the River according to a recent report given at the recent Hamble Estuary Partnership meeting. Members discussed the diversity of fish, within the River according to a recent report given at the HEP meeting. They further noted that numbers of some species had appeared to have dropped whilst others increased. The Harbour Master reminded members that this matter was outside the Harbour Authority’s remit and control. Members were reminded of the existence and responsibilities of the relevant statutory authorities.
Water quality was discussed further in the context of recent sewage spills. The Harbour Master reminded members that the Harbour Authority had no statutory responsibility for monitoring water quality, nor had it the capability or capacity to do so. Members were informed that sewage spillages were matters of public health and that Southern Water had a responsibility to inform public health bodies (Borough Councils) of any risks. Southern Water had no statutory responsibility to inform the Harbour Authority, which would always try and act in good faith to inform river users of such events. The Harbour Master informed members that it had not responsibility to do so and that it must not and could not be associated with that responsibility. The Harbour Master informed members that this was an environmental matter that was entirely outside of the Harbour Authority’s remit. Members were advised that the Solent Forum [1] website listed material on the matter.
RESOLVED
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee noted the report.
The report was summarised and the Harbour Authority’s statutory responsibilities and the limitations of those responsibilities were explained in detail by the Harbour Master. The update on the Solent Oyster Restoration Project was discussed. and members requested that Blue Marine Foundation be approached to present at a future meeting.
During questions, the protected nature of the River was discussed. Members were reminded of the Harbour Authority’s oil spill planning responsibilities. The Harbour Master explained that, following the Regulator’s (the MCA) reassessment of turnover, the Harbour Authority was not obliged to maintain its higher level contractual arrangements with an oil spill protection service provider but, given the nature of the River’s environment, it would continue to do so. This position had the full support of the Regulator.
Members discussed the diversity of fish, within the River according to a recent report given at the recent Hamble Estuary Partnership meeting. Members discussed the diversity of fish, within the River according to a recent report given at the HEP meeting. They further noted that numbers of some species had appeared to have dropped whilst others increased. The Harbour Master reminded members that this matter was outside the Harbour Authority’s remit and control. Members were reminded of the existence and responsibilities of the relevant statutory authorities.
Water quality was discussed further in the context of recent sewage spills. The Harbour Master reminded members that the Harbour Authority had no statutory responsibility for monitoring water quality, nor had it the capability or capacity to do so. Members were informed that sewage spillages were matters of public health and that Southern Water had a responsibility to inform public health bodies (Borough Councils) of any risks. Southern Water had no statutory responsibility to inform the Harbour Authority, which would always try and act in good faith to inform river users of such events. The Harbour Master informed members that it had not responsibility to do so and that it must not and could not be associated with that responsibility. The Harbour Master informed members that this was an environmental matter that was entirely outside of the Harbour Authority’s remit. Members were advised that the Solent Forum [1] website listed material on the matter.
RESOLVED
The River Hamble Harbour Management Committee noted the report.
8
Annual Review of Business Plan
To receive a report setting out the strands of the rolling Business Plan which are designed to support the Harbour Authority’s Strategic Vision.
Attachments:
- Document Review of Business Plan 11 Dec 2025
Minutes
The Committee received a report from the Director of Universal Services, which set out the strands of the rolling Business Plan which are designed to support the Harbour Authority’s Strategic Vision.
Members were happy with the report and there were no questions.
RESOLVED
The Management Committee agreed to recommend the report to the Board for noting.
Members were happy with the report and there were no questions.
RESOLVED
The Management Committee agreed to recommend the report to the Board for noting.
9
Review of Fees and Charges
To receive a report summarising a review of fees and charges applicable to the River Hamble for 2026/2027.
Attachments:
- Document Review of Fees and Charges 11 Dec 2025
Minutes
The Committee received a report from the Director of Universal Services, which set out the strands of the rolling Business Plan which are designed to support the Harbour Authority’s Strategic Vision.
Members were happy with the report and there were no questions.
RESOLVED
The Management Committee agreed to recommend the report to the Board for noting.
Members were happy with the report and there were no questions.
RESOLVED
The Management Committee agreed to recommend the report to the Board for noting.
10
River Hamble 2025/26 Forecast Outturn and 2026/27 Forward Budget
To receive a report presenting the 2025/26 outturn forecast as at the end of September 2025 and the proposed 2026/27 forward budget to the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee for scrutiny and comment.
Attachments:
- Document River Hamble 2025-26 Forecast Outturn and 2026-27 Forward Budget 11 Dec 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered a report from the Director of Corporate Operations and the Director of Universal Services (item 10 in the minute book), which presented the 2025/26 outturn forecast as at the end of September 2025 and the proposed 2026/27 forward budget for scrutiny and comment.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that a £39k surplus was expected for 25/26, with a £12k reduction in employer’s pension contributions for 2026/27 that would enable the budget to include £6k to be put into the revenue reserve.
A member questioned the level of annual contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve, currently set at £42k for a number of years. The Harbour Master reminded members of the Asset Review Process and the rhythm of public reports which included the addressing of this question in the March round annually. The Harbour Master also drew members’ attention to the policy paper placed before members in December 2024. Both pieces of work articulated Asset Replacement Reserve policy and had been approved in January 2024 and March 2024 respectively. Members were reassured that replacements and repairs were taken into account.
RESOLVED
a) The projected outturn for the 2025/26 financial year was noted.
b) The proposed forward budget was supported by the River Hamble Harbour
Management Committee and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board
for approval.
c) The requirement to use the Revenue Reserve (RR) to ensure the full
annual transfer to the Asset Replacement Reserve (ARR) could be made in
both the current and forward year was noted.
d) The balances held within the reserves and the position on the reserve
balances were noted.
The report was summarised and it was highlighted that a £39k surplus was expected for 25/26, with a £12k reduction in employer’s pension contributions for 2026/27 that would enable the budget to include £6k to be put into the revenue reserve.
A member questioned the level of annual contribution to the Asset Replacement Reserve, currently set at £42k for a number of years. The Harbour Master reminded members of the Asset Review Process and the rhythm of public reports which included the addressing of this question in the March round annually. The Harbour Master also drew members’ attention to the policy paper placed before members in December 2024. Both pieces of work articulated Asset Replacement Reserve policy and had been approved in January 2024 and March 2024 respectively. Members were reassured that replacements and repairs were taken into account.
RESOLVED
a) The projected outturn for the 2025/26 financial year was noted.
b) The proposed forward budget was supported by the River Hamble Harbour
Management Committee and submitted to the River Hamble Harbour Board
for approval.
c) The requirement to use the Revenue Reserve (RR) to ensure the full
annual transfer to the Asset Replacement Reserve (ARR) could be made in
both the current and forward year was noted.
d) The balances held within the reserves and the position on the reserve
balances were noted.
11
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 11 Dec 2025
Minutes
Members noted that the March meeting would likely be brought forward due to the pre-election period and further details would follow.
The forward plan was noted.
The forward plan was noted.
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in