The Harbour Committee met to discuss finance reports, updates from the Senior Harbour Master, and the Newport and Ventnor Harbour Safety Management Plan. The committee noted the finance reports for both Newport and Ventnor Harbours, as well as the reports from the Senior Harbour Master. Additionally, the committee agreed to note the updates to the Harbour Safety Management Plan and to circulate a Southern Water presentation and outfall map to committee members.

Southern Water Update

The Service Director of Community Regeneration and Economy suggested that committee members re-watch the presentation given by Southern Water to the Harbour Committee on 29 March 2023. The committee felt that this would answer some of their questions and help direct any future engagement with the water company. It was also agreed that a map detailing outfalls within Newport Harbour would be shared with the committee.

The committee discussed that they wanted more information on past and current discharge rates, and what improvements had been made and were planned to address the issues.

The committee resolved to note the update, and to circulate the Southern Water presentation and outfall map to committee members.

Finance Reports

The committee received and noted the finance reports for both Newport and Ventnor Harbours.

Newport Harbour

The Service Director of Community Regeneration and Economy advised the committee that Newport Harbour was performing well and was currently underspent on expenditure. All units in Newport Harbour were now occupied.

The committee agreed that now most of the major works to improve the harbour had been completed, ways to increase income should be investigated.

Ventnor Harbour

The Service Director of Community Regeneration and Economy shared that the budget was as expected as Ventnor Harbour was contracted to an external management company. The committee were advised that this contract was ending in two years, and a decision would be needed for its future.

The Leisure Facilities Manager advised that the 10-year licence required to remove the seaweed from Ventnor Harbour was due to expire in March 2026 and work was being done to renew this. A short discussion was had about the methods and costs of seaweed removal.

Senior Harbour Master Reports

The committee received and noted the reports from the Senior Harbour Master for both Newport and Ventnor Harbours.

Newport Harbour

The Senior Harbour Master shared highlights from the report which included that short-stay and overnight visitor numbers were doing well and events were continuing to be held in the harbour area.

The committee were advised that the channel was surveyed in mid-August and showed there had not been much change. The results would be shared for updated charts.

A short discussion was had around income streams and how to increase them. This included the potential creation of a short-stay area for motorhomes. Further discussion took place around the issue of people staying in tents along the river and how this was managed.

Ventnor Harbour

The Senior Harbour Master reported that there had been a small number of visitors to Ventnor Harbour which was new. The removal of seaweed was ongoing and under control.

Newport and Ventnor Harbour Safety Management Plan

The Leisure Facilities Manager highlighted the changes made to the Management Objectives since the last committee meeting. The committee resolved to note the updates to the Harbour Safety Management Plan.

Councillor Karl Love declared an interest as a member of the Advisory Board for Cowes Harbour.