6
The Simultaneous ESC Cabinet and STC meeting received report ES/0683 from Councillor Rivett, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economic Development. Councillor Rivett reported that he was pleased to present this report and it was noted that the progress regarding the governance of Southwold Harbour Lands (SHL) had been delayed due to the pandemic. He noted that the SHL was a complex issue, which had been given careful consideration over several years, by the Southwold Harbour Lands Joint Committee (SHLJC), which had been established in 2014. The last meeting of the SHLJC in February 2020 had been very constructive and at Appendices A and B, the Terms of Reference (TOR) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which had been agreed at that meeting, were attached for reference. Since the SHLJC meeting in February 2020, extensive public consultation had been undertaken and Ashfords had been instructed to provide specialist legal advice regarding the future governance of SHL.
Councillor Rivett introduced Kerry Blair, Head of Operations, who would present the report and Lara Moore, from Ashfords Solicitors, who would assist with any queries, as required.
Mr Blair provided a summary of the key points within the report. Mr Blair stated that those present would be familiar with the history of the site, which went back to 1974 and the fundamental issues regarding the governance of the SHL. After a number of false starts, there had been considerable work and public consultation regarding the establishment of an HMC, which was the issue for discussion this evening. If approved, the creation of an HMC would lead to the SHLJC being dissolved. The HMC would be a Cabinet (Executive) Committee, and further details were contained in the report.
The HMC was set out in the 2018 Ports Good Governance Guide (PGGG), as the best way to manage and govern harbour operations, which would include executive powers and the voices of stakeholders. It was noted that the Council had worked closely with Ashfords, who provided specialist legal advice to a number of HMCs, or the local authorities with harbour responsibilities in the UK, regarding good governance.
Mr Blair drew Members' attention to the Terms of Reference (TOR) which had been agreed by the SHLJC at their meeting in February 2020 and began on page 16 of the report.
Section 1.4 of the TOR stated that: 'the Committee will manage the Harbour in accordance with the provisions of the Harbours Act 1964, the Southwold Harbour Order 1933 and the Harbour Docks and Piers Clauses Act 1847 (as incorporated), as amended from time to time (the 'Harbour Legislation').’ This was important, as the Harbour Order made it clear what the harbour undertaking was and what the authority could do with any money raised in the harbour undertaking and what it could be spent on. The creation of the HMC did not affect the Harbour Legislation, as the Harbour Legislation would govern what the HMC could do. Reassurance was provided that all the protections within the Harbour Order would remain in place.
Section 2.2 of the TOR stated that: 'the discharge of these functions within any policy and budget approved by Council to be delegated as set out in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Committee and the Council'. Mr Blair stated that the HMC would be required to set and manage a budget, which would be done in an open and transparent manner, in accordance with the procurement rules and financial regulations that governed ESC.
It was noted that Section 3 of the TOR, contained details on the composition of the HMC, which would comprise of 5 nominees from ESC Cabinet and 4 co-opted Members. Ordinarily, the Members would be appointed for a 3 year term, however, the first appointment terms would be phased, to ensure that all Members would not need to be recruited at the same time in the future. The HMC would meet 6 times a year and it would be governed by the Cabinet's procedure rules, as set out in Part 3 of the Council's Constitution. All HMC Members would be bound by the Council's Code of Conduct.
Mr Blair reported that the MOU began on page 22. The MOU was based on the PGGG and followed the recommended structure of the HMC. The purpose of the MOU was to provide a clear framework for decision making, accountability and the financial management of the Harbour. In Section 7 of the MOU, paragraph 7c stated that: 'the HMC shall, subject to Clause 7(d) and (e) only make decisions regarding the management, acquisition and disposal of assets in accordance with the Council's acquisitions and disposals policy, financial procedure rules and contracts procedure rules.' Mr Blair clarified that the HMC’s budget would need to be set by the HMC, aligned with the Council's budget cycle and comply with any ESC regulations relating to spending and procurement. The HMC would review and recommend an annual budget and fees and charges for the Harbour, which would need to be approved by the Council.
It was noted that the HMC would be required to produce and publish a Business Plan on an annual basis. The HMC would need to monitor performance against approved budgets and take appropriate action, where required. The HMC would also need to make a six monthly report to the ESC Cabinet, reporting on financial matters, and it would need to discharge all of its duties in accordance with the TOR.
Mr Blair stated that the report contained the HMC Constitution, its responsibilities and how it would operate. It was acknowledged that the Southwold Harbour Order 1933 included protective provisions regarding the sale of the Harbour Lands and Harbour Revenue. Mr Blair confirmed that it might be necessary to make a revision to that Order, at some point in the future, in order to undertake additional projects, such as flood protection works further up-stream and any such revision would be undertaken by the HMC.
Mr Blair then referred to the HMC Guidance Notes which started on Page 32 and, in particular, Section C on Page 33. This section referred to the appointments to the HMC and the skills and experience needed by those members, which would ensure that the HMC was fit for purpose. Should the creation of the HMC be approved, there would be a recruitment process, to fill the 9 vacancies on the HMC. It was estimated that the recruitment process would take 6 - 8 weeks to complete.
Mr Blair then referred to the TOR for the Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), which started on Page 38. It was noted that this group would provide any interested parties with a voice to help inform the decision making of the HMC. The Membership of the SAG could include commercial fishermen, the Environment Agency, the RNLI, Charter Boats Associations and local residents.
Mr Blair had summarised and clarified the key points within the report and he reported that Ms Moore was available to answer any queries that were raised this evening.
The Chairman thanked Mr Blair for his update and noted that this was a momentous day for the SHL and that this was the end of a very long process. He then invited Members to raise any questions they may have.
Councillor Rowan-Robinson reported that he was very concerned that there was no mention of STC in this process of creating the HMC, until Part C, Section 8 of Page 34 of the HMC Guidance Notes, where it stated that a member of STC would be on the Appointments Panel. He felt that there was insufficient involvement by STC in the whole process. He did not feel that this reflected the discussions which had taken place previously and was not in the spirit of the previous meetings of the SHLJC. He felt that there should be a partnership between ESC and STC in order to run the Harbour. He understood that ESC had to be the lead authority, due to the financial implications of the HMC, however he was very concerned that STC had little input into the creation of the HMC. He noted that on Page 33 in section C5, the wording had been altered to remove the original text which stated that 1 co-opted member would be appointed by STC. He asked if there could be an explanation regarding this matter.
Ms Moore responded that the structure for the HMC had been agreed at the last meeting of the SHLJC, which took place in February 2020, by both ESC and STC Councillors. The TOR and MOU were based upon the PGGG and it was not appropriate, under that guidance, to have places held for certain members. The HMC vacancies would be advertised and STC could apply for the co-opted vacancies. She confirmed that the aim was to have partnership working and that was why an STC representative was going to be on the Appointments Panel. Ms Moore confirmed that STC's input into the recruitment process was considered to be very important. The Panel would make recommendations to ESC regarding the co-opted appointments and when ESC looked at the Cabinet appointments to the HMC, they would have regard to the skills required by the HMC, and they would endeavour to fill any skills gaps, where possible. Ms Moore stated that the amendments to the HMC guidance notes had been made with the agreement of all Members of the SHLJC at their last meeting.
Councillor Windell stated that STC felt that it needed to represent the town and should therefore be part of the HMC. He stated that STC had reluctantly followed Ms Moore’s advice but his concern was more to do with the spirit of previous discussions, not just the law. Councillor Windell stated that there needed to be more that 1 STC Councillor on the HMC. He felt very strongly that STC needed additional representation, as it would not be well received by Southwold residents if the Town Council did not have enough input on the HMC. He sought reassurance that there would be representation from STC, either in STC Councillors or nominees from STC, on the HMC.
The Chairman provided reassurance that there would be an open and transparent appointments process and that those with the most relevant experience for SHL would be appointed to the HMC. He invited Ms Moore to respond to Cllr Windell's concerns.
Ms Moore advised that it was important that both the appointments process and the way that the HMC would be operated were in accordance with the PGGG. She felt it would not be appropriate to give assurances as to who would have places on the HMC at this stage, as it would undermine the whole appointments process and STC needed to trust that this method of making the appointments would work. Ms Moore acknowledged that STC was involved in the long history of the Harbour Lands and had significant knowledge of the Port, however she felt that it was important to give this process a chance and to follow the PGGG. Once the HMC had been given an opportunity to operate for a period of time, any comments on the process could then be taken forward and considered, prior to any Harbour Order application, which would finalise and place the HMC arrangements on a statutory footing.
Councillor Jeans commented that STC would need to trust in the good judgement of ESC's Cabinet when making the appointments. She hoped that the Cabinet would recognise that there needed to be representation from STC on the HMC and that any appointees were qualified to be effective members on the HMC. She felt that everyone wanted the HMC to work and so hopefully the process would be used correctly for the HMC appointments.
Councillor Rivett read through the recommendations, which were on Page 14 of the report.
ESC Councillor Rivett moved the recommendations and they were seconded by the Chairman.
STC Councillor Bradbury moved the recommendations and they were seconded by Councillor Beavan.
A separate vote for ESC’s Cabinet and STC was undertaken, by Mrs Slater, and it was unanimously
RESOLVED
a) That the outcome of the further consultation is considered and the East Suffolk responses to the points raised from it be noted.
b) That the proposed Terms of Reference for the Advisory Group, at Appendix C to this report, be approved.
c) That the establishment of an Harbour Management Committee for the Southwold Harbour Lands, based on the revised Terms of Reference and the revised Memorandum of Understanding agreed and initialled at the meeting of the Southwold Harbour Lands Joint Committee held on 3 February 2020, be confirmed.
d) That on the establishment and first meeting of the Harbour Management Committee for the Southwold Harbour Lands, the dissolution of the Southwold Harbour Lands Joint Committee be confirmed.
e) That delegated authority be given by the East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet to the Strategic Director, to run the recruitment processes outlined in paragraph 6 of this report, and in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, to establish the Harbour Management Committee, the Appointments Panel, the Advisory Group and the Membership Committee.
The Chairman thanked Members for their attendance at the meeting, the officers involved in writing the report and all those people involved in the long process to get to this momentous decision this afternoon. He also thanked Ms Moore for her detailed and specialist advice. The Chairman provided reassurance that ESC wanted this to work and had a vested interest in making Southwold Harbour into a fantastic asset for Southwold residents and the District.
The Chairman invited Councillor Bradbury, the Mayor of Southwold, to speak.
Councillor Bradbury thanked everyone for their hard work on this long journey. He confirmed that STC would be carefully watching to ensure that everything took place as agreed and described and he thanked everyone for attending the meeting this afternoon.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Bradbury and he hoped that STC would be joining and supporting ESC on the journey of creating the HMC.