Agenda and minutes

Roll call and to receive any apologies for absence.

Members and officers confirmed their attendance at the meeting.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any item on the Agenda

RESOLVED,that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Agenda Item 9 – Port Manager’s report on the grounds that it contains exempt information as defined under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information.

Members are invited to disclose any non pecuniary interest not already registered, and any disclosable pecuniary interest they have in any item on the agenda which comprises

1          Details of any employment, office, trade, profession or vocation carried on for       profit or gain.

2          Details of any payment or provision of any other financial benefit (other than from the authority) made or provided within the relevant period in respect of any expenses incurred by you in carrying out duties as a member, or towards your election expenses.  (This includes any payment or financial benefit from a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

3          Details of any contract which is made between you (or a body in which you have a beneficial interest) and the authority

(a)       Under which goods or services are to be provided or works are to be           executed; and

            (b)       Which has not been fully discharged.

4          Details of any beneficial interest in land which is within the area of the authority. 

5          Details of any licence (alone or jointly with others) to occupy land in the area of the authority for a month or longer. 

6          Details of any tenancy where (to your knowledge)

            (a)       The landlord is the authority; and

            (b)       The tenant is a body in which you have a beneficial                                                     interest.

7          Details of any beneficial interest in securities of a body where

(a)       That body (to your knowledge) has a place of business or land in the          area of the authority; and

(b)       Either –

(i)      The total nominal value of the securities exceeds £25,000 or one        hundredth of the total issued share capital of that body; or

(ii)     If that share capital of that body is of more than one class, the total nominal value of the shares of any one class in which the relevant person has a beneficial interest exceeds one hundredth of the total issued share capital of that class.

In addition, you must also disclose other non-pecuniary interests set out in the Code of Conduct where these have not already been registered.

Note

A “disclosable pecuniary interest” is an interest of a councillor or their partner (which means spouse or civil partner, a person with whom they are living as husband or wife, or a person with whom they are living as if they are civil partners).

Mr M Johnson declared an interest as a Managing Director of A J Johnson.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Workington Harbour Management Committee meeting held on 23 October 2020 (copy attached).

With the deletion of Councillor Markley’s name from the attendance list it was

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2020 be confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

To report any changes in membership

Members noted that there was a County Council vacancy on the Committee arising from the death of Councillor Joe Holliday.  The Chair paid tribute to Councillor Joe Holliday.

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy attached).

Members received the recommendations and action plan for Workington Harbour Management Committee from the Port Manager.

The Port Manager informed members that a Port User Group had been established and meetings planned for six monthly intervals.  Members noted that work had commenced on the Port’s Masterplan and Business Plan and consultants had been appointed with a target date in April 2021 for completion of the Plan.

Members were informed that the process to recruit co-opted non-voting members as stakeholder representatives of the Committee had commenced.  The Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure expressed disappointment that only one application had been received but reported that the recruitment programme would continue.  It was noted that the Committee would make the final decision on recruitment to these positions. 

Members were updated on the recruitment process for the new Port Manager.  It was noted that a review of the Port’s Terms and Conditions had been undertaken and the drafts were with legal for review and approval.  To conclude the Port Manager informed members that the audits of the Port’s Marine Safety Management System, carried out by the Council’s internal audit management team had been completed and the report was expected in January 2021.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

To consider the accounts and performance indicators from 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020 (copy attached).

The Port Manager updated members on the last Revenue and Expenditure for the quarter ending 31 December 2020.  The Committee were advised that the Port was operating slightly below target in performance and port traffic but, considering external pressures, was performing well.  It was hoped that there would be an increase in trade in the next three months (quarter 4).

A short discussion took place around the potential to import animal feed and fertilizer.  It was recognised that warehouse capacity at the Port would need to be expanded to accommodate new traffic.  The Chair thanked the Port Manager and staff for all their hard work in the difficult trading times.

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for 16 April 2021 at 10.00am .

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on 16 April 2021 at 10 am.

To consider a report by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy attached).

The Committee received a report from the Port Manager on the general commercial activities that were on going and anticipated.  There had been a number of enquiries and quotation requests. 

Covid 19 Update – Response and Recovery

The Port Manager updated members on the Port’s response and recovery to Covid 19.

Port Health and Safety

An appraisal of health and safety at the Port was given to members.  The minutes of the Port’s Health and Safety Committee was appended to the report.

Port of Workington Masterplanning and Business Plan/Investment Strategy and Siddick Bridge Update

The Place and Enterprise Manager updated members on the current position of the Port’s Master Plan and Investment Strategy and stakeholder engagement.  The officer continued by outlining funding bids that had been made in relation to the Port.

The Place and Enterprise Manager concluded with an update on Siddick Bridge.  The Chair commended the joint partnership work that was taking place to resolve local issues around the project.

Port Recruitment

An update on Port recruitment was noted by members.

EU Exit

Members noted the reported position with regards to EU exit.

Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC)

An update on Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) was given.  As previously reported, the Marine Safety Management System Performance Report and summary report from the Duty Holder had been completed.  Members were advised that the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) had issued a Marine Information Note (MIN) which informed all UK ports of the requirement to submit a signed statement confirming their organisation’s PMSC compliance covering the period 2021 – 2024.  The Duty Holder’s letter of compliance was appended to the report. 

Maintenance Dredging

It was noted that the dredging campaign commenced on 6 November and successfully completed on 23 December 2020 within the allocated budget.  Members were informed that a separate grab campaign was needed for the “Derwent Outwash”

Annual Review of Port Rates and Charges – 2021

Members were informed of the review of the Port’s rates and charges for 2021.  It was noted that a separate review of the Port dues and conservancy rates would be conducted over the new few months.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.