Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Mr A Bowness and Mr M Johnson.

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 Heaslip and Mr J Coughlin declared interests as members of Workington Town Deal Board.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Workington Harbour Management Committee meeting held on 10 September 2021 (copy enclosed).

An amendment was made to Minute 25, second sentence, the wording to be “ahead of budget” instead of “a slight turnover of budget”. 

RESOLVED,that, subject to the amendment above, the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2021 be confirmed as an accurate record

To report any changes in membership

There were no changes to membership to note.

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

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

Members noted that the Port’s Masterplan had been completed and approved by Cabinet.  A Business Plan, aligned to the Masterplan, was under development.   A media campaign was underway to launch the Port’s Masterplan.

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.

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

The Port Manager updated members on the latest Revenue and Expenditure for the quarter ending 30 September 2021.  Members were advised that the projected budget was ahead of target, but warned of a potential downturn, mainly due to increased running costs.  The Port Manager outlined approaches that had been made to expand the Port’s customer base and advised of a returning customer.

Questions were raised on the accuracy of some of the figures and dates in the report. The Port Manager agreed to revise and reissue the accounts.  In answer to concerns raised, the Assistant Director - Environment & Enterprise confirmed that a risk of over reliance on key customers was included on the Council’s risk register.

RESOLVED, that a revised set of accounts be circulated to members.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 28 January 2022 at 10.00am at the Conference Centre at Port of Workington.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on 28 January 2022 at 10 am at the Port of Workington.

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

The Committee received a report from the Port Manager on the general commercial activities that were on going and anticipated. 

Port Commercial/Business Activities

A summary of the Port’s commercial & business activities from 1st April 2021 to 30^th June March 2021 was attached to the report at Appendix 1.  The Port Manager advised of the breakdown and repair of the Port’s Tug MV Derwent and highlighted the need for a contingency plan for strategic equipment. 

Port of Workington Masterplanning and Business Plan/Investment Strategy

Members noted that the Port’s Masterplan had been approved by Cabinet in September and arrangements had been made for its presentation to key stakeholders and interested parties.  The Port’s Twitter and Facebook accounts had been updated and a media campaign to launch the Masterplan was underway. The need to improve and utilise the rail and road infrastructure around the Port was recognised.

The Port Manager undertook a short presentation on the Business Plan which was being developed.  The Business Plan would contain the Port’s strengths, marketing approaches and plan, the intention to work towards “green” port status and build on the Port’s excellent health and safety record.

An Allerdale committee member offered assistance through Allerdale’s communications team to assist with the promotion of the Port.

Port Health and Safety Meetings

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. 

EU Exit

As part of the EU Exit report, Members were given an update on the Port Infrastructure Fund and the Port’s role in the Workington Town Deal. 

Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC)

The Port Manager advised on an audit tracker that had been appended to the report.  Members noted that it had been recognised, following an internal audit, that there should be an audit action tracker to give assurance that audits were reviewed and there was traceability of any resulting actions and/or recommendations. 

Recruitment

An update on recruitment was given at the meeting.  The difficulties experienced nationally with recruitment and the implications that this could have for the Port was discussed.

To conclude, members received an update on existing customers at the Port and discussed Local Government Reform and the impact of this on the Port.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.