Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from 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 and Agenda Item 10 – Masterplan Update 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).

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 16 April 2021 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED,that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 2021 be confirmed as an accurate record

To report any changes in membership

Members noted Mr M Heaslip and Mr C Sharpe had been appointed as Allerdale Borough Council’s representatives to the Committee replacing Mr J Lister and Mr S Stoddart.  The Chair welcomed them to the Committee.  It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Lister and Mr Stoddart for their contribution to the work of the Committee.

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 introduced the report and outlined the progress made on the actions.

Members noted that the development of the future Port of Workington Masterplan had been completed and a business plan development was underway.   The Port Manager confirmed that the action relating to the recruitment of up to two co-opted non-voting members to the Committeehad now been completed.  Members noted that the amended Terms & Conditions for the Committee had been drafted and were with Legal Services to review and approve.

The Port Manager confirmed that the audits of the Port’s Marine Safety Management System had been completed and the audit report had been published in January 2021. A refreshed action plan would be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.

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

The Port Manager updated members on the latest Revenue and Expenditure for the quarter ending 30 June 2021.  The Committee were advised that, in the first quarter, a slight turnover of budget was expected, despite the challenges presented by Covid and EU Exit. It was recognised by members that the trading position of the Port was volatile and the Port Manager advised that approaches had been made to expand the Port’s customer base while maintaining good relations with critical existing customers. The discussion led on to potential future use of the facilities and the development of the land around the Port.   

The Port Manager advised on the breakdown and repair of the Port’s Tug MV Derwent, the subsequent costs associated with this and the intention to develop a contingency plan for the Port’s strategic equipment.

RESOLVED, that the report be noted.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for 15 October 2021 at 10.00am at the Port of Workington.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on 15 October 2021 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. 

Covid 19 Update – Response and Recovery

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

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. 

Members noted that the Port had participated in the filming of a programme called Gateways to Growth which had been arranged in conjunction with the British Ports Association.  The aim of the programme would be to communicate the value and positive impacts of the country’s ports and it was hoped the participation in this would raise the Port’s profile with key stakeholders, the local community and businesses.  The film was due for release in September followed by a social media campaign and it was anticipated that the campaign would reach 1-2 million people.  A short version of the film, segmented for the Port of Workington, would be available to be used in marketing and promotion of the Port and would be circulated to members.

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.  Health and safety and responsibility of this was discussed at length.

Port of Workington Masterplanning and Business Plan/Investment Strategy

Members noted that Port’s Masterplan had been completed and would be presented to Cabinet for approval in September.  A business plan aligned to the Masterplan was currently in development.  It was noted that the new Port Access Bridge scheme had been completed and officially opened on 7 June.  Members noted the Port was a key element in the Workington Town Deal.

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.  Members noted that the Port’s Marine Safety Management System Performance reports had been completed in June 2021 covering the 12 month period from 1 June 2020 to 31 May 2021 and were appended to the report at Appendix 3.

Maintenance Dredging

Members noted, as previously reported, a “one off” grab dredging campaign had been planned to remove the heavy material washed down by the river.  To conclude the Port Manager gave an update on maintenance dredging and the intention to introduce a dredging framework to allow more flexibility. 

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.

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

The Places and Enterprise Manager updated members on the Port’s Masterplan.  The Masterplan had been completed and would be submitted to Cabinet for approval.  The Masterplan would present a long-term plan for the Port and surrounding land.  Members noted that a new five year Business Plan was being prepared in parallel to the Masterplan.  It was hoped that the Business Plan would be completed by the end of October.

In discussion, the opportunities for further adaptions to the Port’s infrastructure as demand grew were highlighted. Diversity, connectivity, promoting sustainability and the effects of Local Government Reform on the Port were discussed at length.

RESOLVED,that the report be noted.