Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at its meeting on 26 June 2014 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted which sets out the latest position with regard to the management of the Estuary, Quay, Basin and Canal and the outstanding draft Harbour Revision Order (HRO).

The Assistant Director Public Realm reported that in 2008, following lengthy deliberation, a HRO was submitted to the Department for Transport to allow for the Council’s interests in the Exe Estuary to be divested to a Trust Port. This request was held in abeyance until very recently when the application was recently rejected by the Marine Management Organisation (the successor in this respect to the Department of Transport). They considered that the HRO would not achieve the statutory objectives.  Following a reassessment in respect of the future management of the waterways and the current financial pressures on the City Council, it was considered that the option of a Trust Port should not be pursued.  Work would continue to consider alternatives which would be carried out in consultation with the users of the Port of Exeter area and other stakeholders and the outcome will be reported back to Members in due course.

Members discussed the timescales involved and the need to ensure that there was a robust and clear timetable for open and concise consultation with all the user groups involved. There was also a need to work with the other local authorities who had an interest in the Estuary including Devon County Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture commented that Scrutiny Committee – Economy would be updated on progress on a regular basis. There was a need to move the management of the Estuary forward whilst ensuring that all organisations that use the Estuary were positively engaged.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at its meeting on 26 June 2014 and the comments of the Members were noted.

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

(1)     the draft Harbour Revision Order submitted to the Department of Transport is no longer viable and should not be pursued, and an alternative course of action was now required for the management of the Estuary, Quay, Basin and Canal; and 

(2)     a review be undertaken of the options open to the City Council in respect of the future management of the Estuary, Quay, Basin and Canal, in consultation with users of the Port of Exeter area.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

The Service Manager Business and Commercial Operations reported on the latest position with regard to the management of the Estuary, Quay, Basin and Canal and the outstanding draft Harbour Revision Order.  The City Council had continued as the Harbour Authority for the Estuary and Canal.  In 2008, following lengthy deliberation, a HRO was submitted to the Department for Transport to allow for the Council’s interests in the Exe Estuary to be divested to a Trust Port. This request was held in abeyance until very recently when the application was recently rejected by the Department of Transport. They considered that the HRO would not achieve the statutory objectives.  Following a reassessment in respect of the future management of the waterways and the current financial pressures on the City Council, it was considered that the option of a Trust Port should not be pursued.  Work would continue on an alternative solution, which would be carried out in consultation with the users of the Port of Exeter area and other stakeholders and the outcome would be reported back to Members in due course.

The Service Manager stated that the costs associated with the waterways had been dramatically reduced over recent years.  He acknowledged that it was still an expense for the city and suggested that most people would be surprised at the extent of the Port of Exeter area.

Scrutiny Committee  - Economy recommended approval of the following to Executive and Council:-

(1)     that the draft Harbour Revision Order submitted to the Department of Transport was no longer viable and should not be pursued, but an alternative course of action was now required for the management of the Estuary, Quay, Basin and Canal, and 

(2)     that a review be undertaken of the options open to the City Council in respect of the future management of the Estuary, Quay, Basin and Canal, in consultation with users of the Port of Exeter area.