Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

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

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, Agenda Item No 10 – Presentation on the Port’s Business Plan and Agenda Item No 11 – Port of Workington Infrastructure Inspection Report on the grounds that they contain 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).

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Workington Harbour Management Committee meeting held on 22 April 2022 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2022 be confirmed as an accurate record.

To report any changes in membership.

It was noted that Mr R Dobson had been appointed as a member of the Committee.

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

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

It was noted that the Port’s Masterplan had been agreed and a business plan was being developed.  The Port Manager welcomed ideas from members for future recommendations/actions.  It was suggested that the monitoring of key performance indicators be added to the Action Plan.

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 last Revenue and Expenditure for the quarter ending 30 June 2022.  It was noted that there had been an upturn in trade since the pandemic and the Port Manager outlined cargo that had passed through the Port and new business activities that were expanding the Port’s customer base.  Members were informed that £495k of revenue had been generated during the first months of this financial year.

Members were informed that dredging was due to start in August, the cost of which was a revenue activity.  The Port Manager had organised for the dredger to arrive at the Port after being at Barrow, reducing mobilisation costs.

A member asked questions on the elevated administration cost and the rate of return against the capital employed in the Port.  The Port Manager explained the elevated administration cost was due to the full payment of the Port’s yearly insurance premium and the non-monetary benefits of the Port were discussed. 

In discussion of the key performance indicators, Members welcomed the near miss reporting, highlighting the importance of having a positive health and safety culture.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 21 October 2022 at 10.00am at the Port of Workington.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on 21 October 2022 at 10 am in the Conference Centre, Port of Workington.

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

Members received a report on the latest operational, commercial and financial position in relation to the Port’s strategy and policies.

Members received a Covid 19 Update on response and recovery as well as a summary of the Port’s commercial and business activities from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022.  The Port’s Health and Safety matters were outlined by the Port Manager.  Members received an update on Port recruitment and the employment of apprentices for succession planning.  The Ports Marine Safety System had undergone an annual audit and the Port’s action tracker had been updated with actions arising from this.

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.

To receive a presentation by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (copy enclosed).

Members received a short presentation on the draft Business Plan which had been developed aligning to the Port’s Masterplan.  The Port Manager highlighted the Plan’s key points. 

The Place and Enterprise Manager informed the Committee of a rail operation study that had been commissioned for the Port.  The study would develop a range of options for improvements of the Port’s rail infrastructure.  A further report on this would be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.

Members discussed the Port’s intention to adopt a net zero target for its operations and discussed alternative power sources.

The Assistant Director – Economy and Enterprise updated members on a current customer.

RESOLVED,the report be noted.

To receive a presentation by the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure (available on the day of the meeting).

The Port’s Infrastructure Inspection report was made available at the meeting for Committee members.  Consultants were currently prioritising work and a further report on this would be given to a future meeting of the Committee.