MEETING OF THE PADSTOW HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS 11/11 HELD AT THE PADSTOW HARBOUR OFFICE

Transcription

1 MEETING OF THE PADSTOW HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS 11/11 HELD AT THE PADSTOW HARBOUR OFFICE ON THURSDAY 17 TH NOVEMBER 2011 AT 7.00PM Present: Apologies In Attendance: To Take Information and Comments from Any Members of the Public Present: Mr W Frisby (Chairman), Mr M England, Mr W Chown, Mr W Jago, Mr B Smith, Mr M Hewitt, Mr D R Martin, Mr S Summers, Capt R Atkinson (Harbour Master). Mr M McCarthy Mr N Billing (Deputy Harbourmaster), Mr A Smith & Mr M Stacey (Rock Boat Services), Mr T & Mr L Marshall (Rock Oysters). Mr A Smith voiced his concerns over the effects that the flat spot at the bottom of the harbour office slipway were having on the water taxi s business. He stated that many of their customers had complained about the inconvenience of being landed on the ferry slipway at low water. The Commissioners had previously discussed the issue and had promised a review of the matter after the water taxi had operated from the rebuilt slipway for one season. Mr Smith said that they had tried for this one season but the inconvenience was affecting them and could anything be done? The Commissioners discussed this at some length and agreed to consider the case for some further works. HM stated that PHC had already obtained prices and drawings for a suggested alternative and that he would circulate these to all concerned. SS suggested a site meeting with the original contractors to try and address the one metre wide flat spot on the toe of the slip. DM asked if Rock Boat Services (Water Taxi Operators) would be prepared to contribute to the costs, as they were the only business affected. HM suggested that this may then cause complications over ownership of the slipway and the meeting generally decided that it would be more straightforward if PHC bore the costs of any possible alterations. HM to set up a site meeting. Mr Tim Marshall talked the meeting through his previous application for a fisheries several order and the responses and objections he had received over it (including PHC s). Because of the concerns, he had come up with a new proposal which used GPS co- 12/12/2011 1

2 ordinates to map out blocks of the foreshore with gaps left for structures such as the ski rafts. As these new areas did not conflict with PHC s interests and obligations, the Commissioners had no objections to the proposal. HM to write to DEFRA advising them as such. Invoices and Payments for the period ending 15/11/11 Approval of Minutes 10/11 Matters Arising from Meeting 10/11 Invoices totalling 140, had been paid for the period 12 th October to 15 th November The Commissioners questioned the invoice from M&P electricians for PAT testing HM replied this was for both PAT testing in the Commissioner s property and also for remedial works to the electrics in the Rock Waterfront Building. BS questioned if the invoice for remedial works should be sent to the contractor who constructed the building their electrician had issued a NICE certificate and it appeared that some of the work may not have been to a satisfactory standard. The issue was discussed but on balance, the Commissioners decided that the defects were so far in the past (5 years) that it was not realistic to try and complain now. The minutes circulated to the Commissioners prior to this meeting were then adopted as a true and accurate record of meeting 10/11. Change of lease (GB Smith & Son to Rock Marine Services) for Rock Waterfront Activity Centre. HM had been asked to look into the charges made by Ralph & Co in regard to this simple legal procedure. The amount invoiced had only been sent to one party and not, as stated in the previous meeting, to both (thus effectively halving the stated amount). It was also explained that this was a fixed amount, so if the transactions were very easy and little work was involved, the solicitors may benefit from the fixed charge, however if complications arose which took up more of their time, they could also lose out. HM believed that the lease had been sent out to Rock Marine GB Smith & Sons for action Ralph and Co were now waiting for a response. Commissioner Frisby enquired about access from the pontoon to the steps at low water. HM advised that there is a 1 metre gap between the top of the pontoon and the steps but improved access is planned. PATA Christmas festival HM had written to all the North Quay Car Park customers and no objections had been raised to the use of the car park for the festival or indeed for the extra days use requested. 12/12/2011 2

3 Financial Briefing The Commissioners read the financial briefing prepared by Nicky Dyer. HM had been asked to investigate what the financial rules were with regard to what could be included on this years accounts particularly with reference to the slipway rebuild at Rock. HM explained that as thought, work carried out and in place, benefiting the Commissioners business by the 31 st December this year could be set against this years taxation. Projects overlapping into the next financial year would need to have their costs or part costs entered into the next years accounts - for example if the piling for the slipway was done this year it could be included, but the entire cost of the project could not, unless it was finished by 31 st December. HM explained that some extra costs had been incurred on the ferry as the routine service of the water jet propulsion units had revealed that some parts were becoming very worn and needed replacing. Correspondence Mr T Marshall Re Several Order Contents of this letter already discussed in public section of the meeting. Mr R J Varcoe Writes to request a move to a deeper water mooring at Rock failing this, would the Commissioners consider reducing their charges for his present mooring. HM said that he was on the waiting list to move, but it would likely to be some time before this was possible. Commissioners agreed that they had just changed the pricing structure to reflect the type of boat capable of being kept on the mooring and not the depth of water available they confirmed that they would be sticking to this policy and no discount would be applied. Mrs B Woodcock Writes expressing disappointment that HM would not let her late husband s Rock mooring be automatically transferred into her name. HM reminded the Commissioners that their previous decision on this matter was that they would not normally allow a mooring to be transferred, but in exceptional circumstances, they would exercise discretion. Agreed to allow the mooring to be used by Mrs Woodcock for a further 12 months, when the situation will be reviewed again. 11/12/01 Natural England- Proposed extension of Rock Quarry Car Park. Forward on a copy of a study which had been completed to detail what rare or threatened species of plant existed in this area. N.E also advise that PHC need to formally request a response to the proposals HM 12/12/2011 3

4 had done this and was now awaiting a reply. Tim Swainson (John Grimes Partnership) Writes regarding responses received from the EA to PHC s proposals to widen the ferry slipway at Rock. Apart from some observations regarding the slipway, James Burke (EA) requests that the Commissioners undertake or fund some environmentally beneficial works elsewhere to compensate for the extra inter tidal habitat that the proposed slipway will cover. Mr Burke forwards details of four different schemes which could be compensatory for the Commissioners to discuss. The Commissioners were not generally happy about having to compensate for a project which they see as improving a public transport link which benefits the whole community. However if the MMO licence could only be obtained by this bartering scheme with the EA, they would be prepared to undertake the suggested works at Penqueen Creek with the proviso that the EA obtained all of the necessary permissions and licences for the work to go ahead. Port Administrators Business Black Tor Ferry Re-engining project is progressing well, new engines are in, but PHC are waiting for the new coolers and gear box Power Take Off adaptors to arrive. In the meantime, there are many ancillary jobs to be completed. The ferry would have to be moved off the cradle soon as there were two other boats waiting to come inside the boatyard building. Slipway Widening at Rock HM advised that John Grimes Partnership were well advanced in obtaining the necessary MMO licence to widen the slipway and had submitted the plans (approved by the Commissioners at their previous meeting) to contractors to obtain quotes. They hoped to have the licence in December and be in a position to submit the quotes to PHC for their December meeting. New RHIB/Pilot Boat Quinquiri had almost finished the build and hoped to code the vessel in early December. Once coded and accepted, four PHC staff would travel to St David s to receive training on the new vessel, which would then be passaged back to Padstow by sea. MMO Grant Funding MMO representative had attended and finally signed off the powered landing davit project funds should be received within two weeks. HM also enquired about grant funding into a new ice plant and received a positive response. It might be possible to obtain as much as 75% funding for such a project, so HM would research this further and come back with a proposal at a future meeting. 12/12/2011 4

5 Aerial Photos of River HM circulated aerial photos taken by Mr J Watts of Rock. HM explained that as Mr Watt s had not wanted payment for the photos, PHC had made a 100 donation to his chosen charity, Cornwall Air Ambulance. Commissioners also wished to record their thanks for these pictures which helped to monitor the changes in the channels within the river. Items for Discussion Red Brick Building Flat for Sale - DM was concerned that he had noticed an advert for the sale of one of the RBB flats which stated no letting restrictions. DM was sure that when the Commissioners sold the leaseholds, they had stipulated that the properties were not to be used for holiday rentals. Several Commissioners remembered the sentiment that PHC had always intended that the flats should be for residential use only. The Commissioners discussed the issue further and instructed HM to check out with Ralph & Co as to what the RBB flat leases would allow this would then enable them to make a decision on how they wished to proceed. Rock Yellow Lines - WJ requested that PHC support the local council in requesting that the double yellow lines continue further up the Rock Road to a point to be agreed outside this meeting. HM/Rock Commissioners to action. RQCP Electronic Sign BS asked if there was any progress with re-siting the sign further up the road. HM said that he had looked into the remote switching of the sign, which was possible but would incur both an initial and an ongoing monthly cost. The Rock Commissioners had previously agreed to talk to the council to try and establish a suitable site (with power available) so that HM could seek the official permissions necessary site had not yet been discussed with the council, but thought that the area somewhere near John Bray s office would be good. Date of Next Meeting There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2030 hours. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 15 th December 2011 at 7.00 pm in the Padstow Harbour Office. 12/12/2011 5