Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Mr A Bowness.

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 and Agenda Item No 10 – Update on Existing Customer 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.

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 21 October 2022 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2022 be confirmed as an accurate record.

To report any changes in membership

There were no changes in membership to note.

To consider the Action Plan

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

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 31 December 2022 and outlined cargo that had passed through the Port and new business activities that were expanding the Port’s customer base.  Members were informed that income was up but the rise in the cost of energy and fuel were having a significant impact on this.  A review of prices had taken place and, whilst some had been increased, the prices remained competitive.  In discussion, the Executive Director advised that under the new Cumberland authority, there would be an opportunity to review fuel procurement and the Council had a reserve budget that could, if necessary, be drawn on by the Port to assist with the increasing costs.  The Port Manager discussed plant replacements and confirmed that the purchasing of electric plant would be considered. 

In answer to a member’s question, it was confirmed that the new Cumberland authority would set their own budget.  A member questioned whether dredged sand could be utilised but was informed of the poor quality of the dredged material.  It was confirmed that a contractor taking beach materials had a licence to do this.

The key performance indicators were noted.

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.

To note this will be the last meeting of the Committee in the life of Cumbria County Council.

It was noted that this was the last meeting of the Committee in the life of Cumbria County Council.

The Executive Director advised Cumberland Authority would appointed members to this Committee at their Annual General Meeting in April.

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

Members received a report that informed and advised on the latest operational, commercial and financial position in relation to the Port’s strategy and policies for the period from 30 September 2022 – 31 December 2022.

The Port Manager advised on funding that had been secured from Allerdale Local Committee to make improvements on Merchants Quay.  This was welcomed by members.  Promotional work taking place to raise the Port’s profile and Port recruitment was outlined.

It was noted that near miss reporting procedure and recording pads had been issued to all departments and operational areas of the Port.  Members welcomed the recording of near miss incidents as they recognised that it assisted the Port to identify and correct unsafe tasks, practices and uncontrolled hazards.  The Port Manager outlined the procedure that followed a near miss incident. 

The Senior Manager, Economy and Place gave a presentation on the Port of Workington Rail Improvements Business Case and presented the draft Port of Workington Logistics and Clean Energy Hub.  The draft Logistics and Clean Energy Hub document was circulated at the meeting and members feedback was welcomed.

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.

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

The Assistant Director - Environment & Enterprise updated members on an existing Port customer.

To conclude the meeting, the Executive Director advised on the latest LGR position.  The Chair thanked members, officers, the Port Manager and staff for their contributions to the Port over the years.