CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 1 February 2021 from 2pm held via Zoom.

Present Jeremy Hunt (Chairman)

Louise Goldsmith Roger Price Ann Briggs Mark Inkster

Adrian Moss Keith Martin Alison Wakelin Graeme Barrett

Lance Quantrill Pieter Montyn Robert Macdonald Jackie Branson

Ken Smith

Officers

Richard Austin Richard Craven Fiona Morris Edward Carter

Rosie Chase (Minutes)

In attendance

Penny Plant

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

163. The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Mel Belderson.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

164. As harbour dues form part of the discussions, the following members declared an interest as harbour users; Adrian Moss, Mark Inkster, Robert Macdonald, Richard Craven and Keith Martin.

165. Jeremy Hunt declared an interest as the Cabinet Member for Finance for West Sussex County Council

166. Louise Goldsmith declared an interest as the Chairman of Save Our South Coast Alliance (SOSCA).

167. Mark Inkster declared an in interest in the application for dredging licences as an MDL berth holder. The interest was not considered prejudicial and the licences were for noting as they had been approved under the Chairman’s urgent action protocol.

3. MINUTES

168. The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9 November 2020 were agreed as a true record and approved by the Conservancy.

4. ADVISORY COMMITTEE

169. The Chairman of the Advisory Committee agreed to bring points of note from the Advisory Committee discussion forward at the relevant item during the meeting,

1 5. CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE

170. The Chairman provided and update on his work for the Conservancy since the last meeting. He said he had continued to work with the Director & Harbour Master and John Nelson from the Chichester Harbour Trust to influence the Chichester District Council Local Plan with the objective of ensuring it includes policies to sufficiently protect and safeguard the AONB.

171. He congratulated Fran Davies and Louise Goldsmith on their 20 years’ service and informed members they had received a vase as a gift. He went on to say that he had written to them both thanking them for their efforts towards protecting the AONB. He provided a summary of the work and achievements of both Ms Davies and Cllr Goldsmith.

172. Louise Goldsmith thanked the Conservancy for the award.

6. REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR & HARBOUR MASTER

COVID 19 Harbour activity

173. The Director & Harbour Master informed members that there had been no positive cases of COVID 19 amongst the staff and the team continued to work in COVID secure ways, with most working from home. He said that the harbour team and Rangers continue to carry out duties and he thanked Adrian Karn for his efforts in recovering a Transit Van from the water before any major damage could be done to the harbour environment.

Byelaw prosecutions

174. The Director & Harbour Master reported that there was one successful prosecution in December in respect of a speeding incident which took place in June 2020, where a personal watercraft was paced at between 33 and 35 knots. A fine of £250 and costs of £480 were awarded. Three further prosecutions are expected to go ahead in June 2021, delayed because of the court backlog of cases.

Baker racing mark

175. The Director & Harbour Master said that Itchenor Sailing Club has requested the establishment of a new racing mark in the Chichester Channel. It is felt by stakeholders that the provision of an additional mark would make sense and was approved by the Chichester Harbour Federation. The mark will be named in honour of Mike Baker who sadly passed away. Mr Baker had been a former Advisory Committee member and was a former Chairman of the Federation. Members were in favour of establishing the new mark.

Harbour Office / Jetty Proposals

176. The Director & Harbour Master said that the proposals for the jetty and harbour office have been discussed with local stakeholders. The plans are still being developed and it is anticipated that a business plan will be submitted for scrutiny to the March meeting of the Finance, Risk & Audit Group.

Members Training

177. The Director & Harbour Master informed the Conservancy that there were three new members of the Advisory Committee and induction training was being

2 organised for them to attend. Members were also told of some upcoming training opportunities on inclusion, and for duty holders with the Association of British Ports and advised to let the Executive Officer know if they were planning to attend so training records can be updated, or if they needed assistance booking places.

Landscapes Review

178. The AONB Manager said that the application to Defra in respect of Statutory Consultee status has stalled. The reason given by a representative of Defra was that the Department had not yet officially responded to the Landscapes Review and it would be more advisable to wait until such time before considering this matter. He said he had approached a Planning Barrister for a legal opinion, but it was not forthcoming. It was hoped that the legal opinion would ascertain if Defra had the authority to delay the request for Statutory Consultee status. The AONB Manager advised Members against getting into a dispute with Defra.

179. The Members said there was no timescale on when Defra would respond to the Landscapes Review. The Members encouraged the AONB Manager to continue to seek a legal opinion, and then to decide on the next steps once that was received. If the legal opinion confirmed the response from Defra was tantamount to filibustering, the Members suggested to then contact the local MPs for support, and the relevant Minister (Rebecca Pow MP), in case she was not aware of this case.

180. The AONB Manager went on say that focus of Defra appears to be on setting up a new National Landscapes Service.

181. The Landscapes Review recommended that AONBs should be rebranded as ‘National Landscapes’ with the Cotswolds AONB being the first to voluntarily take that step. The AONB Manager said there were no plans for Chichester Harbour to follow this route at the current time.

Harbour Footpaths

182. Members discussed the condition of footpaths at length. A member expressed concern that because of the recent heavy rain and increase of foot traffic, the paths are very muddy, and people are veering off the footpaths onto saltmarsh and farmers’ fields. A member said that if this wear and tear continues there could be a significant impact on bird breeding and the wider environment. Another member said that cyclists are also causing damage to footpaths. The AONB Manager has received several complaints about and from cyclists and that with the most recent lockdown, tensions are running high between different user groups. Members discussed potential solutions to the state of repair of the footpaths and agreed that work was required to identify how these works would be funded. The AONB Manager said that it was disappointing that some landowners have little or no appetite to roll footpaths back or to carry out repairs which would alleviate some of the problems being experienced.

Saltern’s Way

183. The AONB Manager said that the planned resurfacing works will take place on the cycleway in the coming weeks. He went on to say that the proposed reroute is on hold for a few months, whilst more species data is gathered. A member welcomed

3 the improvement works and said that some additional signage in specific areas would encourage more people to use it responsibly.

Ash die back

184. The AONB Manager said that in the spring the trees in the harbour would be surveyed and a company had been contacted to carry this work out. Members expressed disappointment that ash die back had been identified in trees in the harbour.

Partnerships

185. The AONB Manager said that the SCOPAC one-off meeting was excellent and informative.

Recommendation

186. The Conservancy noted the report from the AONB Manager and Director & Harbour Master.

PORT MARINE SAFETY CODE

187. The Director & Harbour Master presented his report to members. He said that the Port Marine Safety Code was last amended in 2016 and that the 2021 edition was available to view on the Conservancy website and members area. He described how the Conservancy’s Marine Safety Management System and Safety Plan details how the duties and powers (in relation to marine operations in Chichester Harbour) are discharged in accordance with a marine safety management system, based upon formal risk assessment. He reminded members that the Designated Person for the Conservancy is Monty Smedley of ABPmer who oversees the work of the officers to provide assurance that duties are being discharged appropriately. He went on to say that members of the Conservancy are severally and collectively the ‘Duty Holder’ for Chichester Harbour accountable for the discharge of its duties and powers.

188. The Director & Harbour Master said that the powers available to the Conservancy under the Chichester Harbour Conservancy Act 1971 and other legislation enabled by it were subject to a review by Ashfords LLP in 2020. He said that the firm are specialists in Harbour Law. As a result of that review an application for powers of general directions has been made.

189. He said that all risk assessments have been reviewed in respect of harbour operations in light of incidents in the harbour during 2020, including re-assessment of control measures, and wider changes. He said that the 2020 season had been unusual, with a delayed start due to lockdown restrictions but thankfully income had recovered well and was broadly similar to that of the previous season. The harbour saw a large influx of people over a condensed season and the overall number of incidents was 258, 15 fewer than the last year.

190. The Director & Harbour Master said that there had been 46 Byelaw warning tickets issued, for less serious offences which would not be appropriate for prosecution and offenders were spoken to in an aim to educate them. Of these warnings, 39 were issued for exceeding the harbour speed limit. There were 7 cases of excessive

4 wash within those 46 and he said that the Conservancy planned to publish educational materials to discourage other incidents.

191. He said that there had been an unfortunate rise in the numbers of third-party injuries with 11 attended by the patrol team. Leg injuries had been sustained by two people starting their tender engines on the hard at Itchenor and a person dislocated their shoulder after climbing up and jumping off the Chalkdock navigation mark. He said that signs had been put on the navigation marks to discourage “tombstoning”. He went on to say that a small RIB with six persons on board capsized in the waves over West Pole Sands, with the RNLI, Patrol and Hayling Island Coastguard attending. There were also two incidents of capsized tenders, one with the occupant having had a cardiac arrest. He said that the occupant was lucky in that a passing vessel saw and the casualty was kept afloat whilst the patrol team arrived. The Director & Harbour Master thanked the Patrol team under the leadership of Edward Carter for their hard work over the previous season.

192. The Director & Harbour Master said that consultation on the code took place through the Advisory Committee with information fed down into the Chichester Harbour Federation. He said that it had been harder this year to undertake training, but training continued wherever possible and details of courses completed were highlighted.

193. The Director & Harbour Master said that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) currently monitor compliance with the PMSC by seeking a statement of compliance from the Duty Holder of each harbour every three years, this is due by 31 March 2021 and officers have prepared a letter, to be signed by the Chairman for the MCA, if members agreed.

194. A member asked about a boat at Prinsted which was not afloat but tied up at the path at Thorney Island and asked if the vessel was required to float under bye laws. It was confirmed that it was the owners responsibility to ensure the vessel was seaworthy. The Senior Deputy Harbour Master said he was in touch with the owner and he was encouraging him to remove the vessel. He said it has been tied where it has, to minimise the risk of it breaking up but if the owner does not move the boat, patrol officers will, and he would forward a bill for the costs on.

195. A member said that there might be some value in having a standard set of rules for stand-up paddle boarders which applied to all the local harbours. The Director & Harbour Master said that each harbour had their own regulations to follow but a general code of practice would be a good idea and he would follow this up.

196. A member asked if the 46 warning tickets had a financial penalty attached to them. It was confirmed they do not by the Director & Harbour Master. He also said that any fines incurred for breaches of byelaws are payable to the treasury but there may be some scope in the general directions to pursue fines payable direct to the Conservancy.

Recommendation

197. The Conservancy’s Safety Plan (PMSC compliance document) provides a useful framework and audit trail for the safe management of Chichester Harbour. In this

5 assessment of performance against the Marine Safety Management System & Safety Plan it is judged that it has been a satisfactory year and that the Conservancy has discharged its duty to undertake and regulate marine operations in a way that safeguards the harbour, its users, the public and the environment.

198. The report was endorsed by the Conservancy as the Duty Holder.

199. The Conservancy approved the draft letter at Annex B to the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, confirming that Chichester Harbour meets the standards required by the Port Marine Safety Code.

BUDGET MONITOR

Harbour budget

200. The Director & Harbour Master presented the quarterly update to members. He said that the most recent lockdown will have an impact on figures with some members of staff working from home, some subject to furlough and other related costs.

201. He said that despite all the additional challenges with restrictions, there is forecast to be a small surplus of £3000 over and above the initial predictions made last year. He said that more refunds had been made than usual and that these could be managed through the COVID reserve.

202. He went on to say that there was a £16,000 underspend on staffing costs which are largely due to keeping a post open. He said that the job retention scheme money was to defray the costs for furloughing the receptionist and harbour apprentice.

AONB budget

203. The Director & Harbour Master said that the major impact on the AONB budget was the lack of income from Solar Heritage and the Education Centre activities which has largely been offset by furloughing the staff, and rate rebates.

204. There is a £30,000 reduction in income which will impact on the year end projection for the AONB budget, bringing it to £68,000.

205. A member asked a question about what the temporary rent abatement was in respect of. It was confirmed that this related to Eames Farm and was due to the lack of farming subsidies available to the tenant farmer until the new ELMS system started.

WATER QUALITY

206. The Director & Harbour Master presented his report to members. He said that the proposed sewage (inland water) bill was currently on pause. He went on to say that excessive storm discharges from the three water treatment plants had been a feature of the harbour for many years and the way they are regulated is not fit for

6 purpose. He said that the interest in the subject has risen and the local MPs met with Rebecca Pow, the Environment Minister to discuss this. He said that there was a growing support within government that the issue of storm discharges should be addressed and if necessary, measures incorporated within the Environment Bill.

207. The Director & Harbour Master provided a presentation to members with the results of the water quality tests carried out by the Conservancy over five years from eleven sites in the harbour, which showed overall, a good standard of water quality meeting the standards set out by the EU Bathing Water Directive. Following the presentation, members had a long and detailed discussion about a variety of issues, with points of note as follows.

208. Following a question from a member, the Director & Harbour Master confirmed that the level of nitrates in the water was unacceptable. Natural England identify that nitrate levels were 600% higher at the top of the Dell Quay Channel than at the Harbour entrance during wet winters because of the storm discharge coming from the wastewater treatment plants and the River Lavant and adjacent streams. He went on to record the harmful impact this had on Harbour environments such as saltmarsh and seagrass.

209. A member said there were large levels of complaints to the Council from residents about the storm discharges. Some of these residents have reported concerns to Southern Water, with issues including untreated sewage present in the water. He said that the District Council have been having high level meetings with the Environment Agency and the regulators. The Director & Harbour Master said they had put forward the Conservancy’s concerns to all relevant agencies and he welcomed additional opportunities to support action to combat declining standards. He went on to say that whilst he notes the concerns of residents, the data collected over the last five years shows generally low levels of bacteria in the samples gathered. He added that E. coli still shows up in high quantities in oysters from time to time. A member said that Chichester District Council was developing a nitrates policy. Another member suggested that the Conservancy engaged with both Havant Borough and Chichester District Councils to develop their nitrates policy.

210. The Director & Harbour Master said it was telling that the condition of the saltmarsh and eel grass beds are in the worst condition at the heads of the harbour. He said that the level of bacteria in the water was something that the public understood and were concerned about, but more work needs to be done to improve knowledge of the damage that nitrates in the water causes. He went on to say that an average of 6 hectares of saltmarsh is being lost each year, with losses higher in years where nitrate levels were high.

211. A member said they had written to Alan Mak MP about the issues of water quality and he had replied. The member said they would forward on his response to the Conservancy and Advisory Committee.

212 The Chairman of the Advisory Committee said the subject of water quality was discussed at length at their recent meeting and agreed that there was a great deal of public concern about the current state of the water. He said that the Director &

7 Harbour Master had agreed to make a presentation to organisations in the harbour to provide reassurance. He went on to say it was important to differentiate between the nitrate issue and the bacteriological issue.

213 It was agreed that a letter from the Chairman on the Conservancy would be drafted and to be sent to the government with copies sent to the local authorities, Environment Agency, and key stakeholders. The letter should strongly set out the issues and seriousness of the impact on the harbour.

214. A member said that the figures showed that the level of bacteria in the water was good and not of a risk to people, rather to habitats and the environment and the intention of any action should not be to scaremonger that the water was unsafe.

Recommendation

215. Members noted the report.

Pieter Montyn and Jackie Branson left the meeting.

HR SUB COMMITTEE

216. The Director & Harbour Master outlined the key updates of note. There was no meeting held in December. He said that the Education Assistant has been seconded to the Chichester Harbour Protection and Recovery project. He went on to say that Geoff Riley has been recruited as maternity cover for the Moorings Officer.

217. A member asked whether furlough of casual staff had been extended. The Director & Harbour Master said that it had been extended until March.

218. Members agreed the Christmas hamper for staff was an excellent idea and thanks were extended to the Shared Services Manager for organising them.

PLANNING PRINCIPLE 19 HOUSE BOATS

219. The Director & Harbour Master presented the amendments made to the policy following independent legal advice and input from the Clerk to the Conservancy. He said that the Advisory Committee had provided some feedback and amended the officer recommendation so that the Planning Committee could review the changes more thoroughly.

Recommendation

220. The Conservancy approved the officer recommendation, amended as follows.

(i) It is recommended that references to the Conservancy’s Section 40 Houseboat Licensing powers are removed from Planning Policy 19: Houseboats, and a second standalone policy is produced for Section 40 powers.

(ii) It is recommended that the revised Planning Principle is reviewed by the Planning Committee at the next meeting (along with consideration of the

8 emerging Houseboats Licence form) and if approved signed off by the Chairman of the Conservancy and Chairman of the Advisory Committee.

(iii) It is recommended that once approved Planning Policy 19: Houseboats is subject to a public consultation.

(iv) It is recommended that the licence fee proposal at 2.2 is approved, and in the first instance, applications for houseboats are treated in the same way as Works Licences.

APPLICATIONS FOR WORKS AND DREDGING LICENCES

Northney Road, Northney, Hayling Island, Hampshire.

221. The AONB Manager presented the application for a works licence for the Installation of 28 tonnes of prefilled, biodegradable Soluform concrete bag work around the current outfall to stabilise the banks and repair the headwalls including both upstream and downstream embankments.

Recommendation

222. The Conservancy approved the officer recommendation to approve the application for the works licence.

Marina Developments Ltd, Sparkes Marina, Hayling Island, PO11 9SR and Marina Developments Ltd, Northney Marina, Hayling Island

223. The Director & Harbour Master informed members that the dredging licences had been approved under the chairman’s urgent action protocol and were for a maintenance dredge of the marina basin and the approach channel immediately adjacent to Sparkes Marina and a maintenance dredge of the marina basin at Northney Marina. The Director & Harbour Master said that both are routine dredges, licenced by the MMO. He informed members of a change to the works licence at Sparkes Marina from proposed bed levelling to a backhoe that area of land on areas of navigational concern, to a maximum of 300m3.

Recommendation

224. The Conservancy noted the licences granted under the chairman’s urgent action protocol.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

225 The Chairman of the Planning Committee informed members that officers have dealt with 56 cases since the last round of meetings. He informed members of a proposed development of 25 properties in the AONB, at Birdham which the Committee had strongly objected to.

226 He said that there is an influx of material applications being submitted of at least 20 dwellings and an additional meeting of the Planning Committee has been scheduled to consider some of them. He said an additional meeting of the Planning Committee has been scheduled to consider some of them.

227. He went on to say that the application for a tunnel under the footpath at Dolphins, Rookwood has been allowed on appeal. He said that the applicant has subsequently put in an application for a lawful development certificate for the domestication of

9 the shoreline at the bottom of his property. He said there was a similar application at the neighbouring property and the Committee were keeping watch of the outcome here.

228. A member asked for an update on the unauthorised development at Birdham which is subject to an enforcement notice. The Chairman of the Planning Committee said that some caravans had moved of the site but that could be due to flooding rather than any enforcement action. Another member replied that the date for leaving site has been pushed back to the end of March with the site restored to its former condition by the end of April 2021.

229. The AONB Manager confirmed that Keith Martin and Alison Wakelin had respectively been re-elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee until June 2020 to provide some continuity. He said that the Principal Planning Officers were working additional hours to prepare the reports for the extra meeting scheduled for 15 February and members thanked the officers for their efforts.

The meeting finished at 4.30pm

Chairman

10 Agenda Item 6

CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY

26 APRIL 2021

DIRECTOR & HARBOUR MASTER’S UPDATE

1.0 OFFICE OF NATIONAL STATISTICS MINOR TRUST PORTS CLASSIFICATION

1.1 The ONS are currently carrying out an exercise to classify Trust Ports for statistical purposes, and called a meeting to explain the process. It is significant for the government as those classed as Public Corporations show up on the government balance sheet in terms of borrowing or surplus.

1.2 The chief criteria in this determination in the Conservancy’s case is whether the organisation is controlled by government, and our governance arrangements would suggest that it is.

1.3 The Department for Transport DfT were also represented at the meeting which was hosted by ONS 19 February and Audy Utchanah confirmed that this exercise would not lead to a renewed focus by the DfT on Trust Ports classed as Public Corporations to follow the Modernising Trust Ports model.

2.0 WATER QUALITY

2.1 There has been significant activity since the last round of meetings to address the issues effecting water quality and to seek improvements. We have joined separate meetings with the chairman of Ofwat Jonson Cox, CEO of SWS Ian McAuley, CDC’s Diane Shepherd along with a string of other meetings with senior figures in the Environment Agency and Southern Water. These included productive discussions with Dr Toby Willison who has recently been recruited to a new SWS post of Director of Environment and Corporate Affairs from a senior role in the EA. He fully recognises the pressures the Harbour environment is under and is being proactive in mobilising resource from SWS to improve matters.

2.2 On 6 April Southern Water announced a £5 million environment improvement fund part of which will be invested with partners on initiatives that deliver both nature-based solutions and environment net-gain for both Chichester & Langstone harbours. Ian McAulay highlights that this will demonstrate that they are, ‘an involved member of the newly formed Chichester Harbour Protection & Recovery of Nature group (CHaPRoN). This emerging group is a very welcome and positive step forward in forging a powerful partnership to save our harbours.’ He adds, ‘Saving the internationally important and threatened habitats at Chichester and Langstone harbours is incredibly important to us, our customers and our stakeholders. We are absolutely committed to playing our part by reducing the harm to the harbours’ waters from Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).’

2.3 Additionally SWS have announced a £6.5 million scheme to reduce groundwater infiltration into the Chichester sewer network.

2.4 The chairman and been signatory on 2 letters to Secretary of State George Eustace, seeking high level talks to address storm discharge and housing issues.

11 Firstly, with Langstone Harbour Board, Hants County Council, Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council, secondly with Chichester Harbour Trust. A third letter from the Conservancy has been addressed to the Under Secretary of State for Defra Rebecca Pow and copied to the CEO’s of the EA and NE responding to NE’s condition report of the SSSI, and seeking high level support and resource to drive forward the CHaPRoN initiative.

3.0 CHaPRoN

3.1 The Chichester Harbour Protection and Recovery of Nature initiative has developed strongly this year with the development of a strong vision for the Harbour Environment by 2050. A very successful workshop was held 24 March attended by 40 delegates from all the significant regulatory bodies, NGO’s and Charities in the arena. Feedback from the workshop is being used to fine-tune the strategy. The conceptual model behind the strategy is being greatly enhanced by Paul Mansell a specialist in this area who is providing pro bono support to us.

3.2 The initiative is a timely response to NE’s SSSI condition assessment and is being recognised by others, as hoped, as an important means of delivering environmental improvements in Chichester Harbour. As cited above Southern Water have identified CHaPRoN as an integral part of the delivery process for their new Environment Improvement Fund. It is planned that CHaPRoN will be one of the items under consideration in July’s Annual Joint Meeting.

3.3 Sarah Chatfield who has been seconded from the education department to manage the project has been outstanding in the role and it is a high priority for us to retain the position.

4.0 PMSC UPDATE

4.1 During the first 3 months of 2021, due the Covid lockdown, the harbour was extremely quiet and vessel traffic was largely restricted to commercial operations. Consequently, incidents requiring harbour staff attendance on the water were very rare and minor.

4.2 One incident of note occurred at the Harbour Office at Itchenor on 24 February. The owner of a vessel on a Conservancy maintained mooring came to the harbour office with an associate (ID unknown) to complain about damage to their tender. Both the owner and his associate were extremely rude, aggressive, and levelled explicit offensive language and personal abuse toward the Moorings Officer (at the time nearing the end of her third trimester of pregnancy) and the Senior DHM. The threat of police attendance had to be used to bring the incident to a close. The mooring agreement has been revoked as a direct consequence of the incident and the owner has been warned that any repeat of such behaviour will warrant prosecution under Byelaw 22, Disorderly Persons.

4.3 Prior to the start of the season, newly appointed, returning, and full-time staff all attended a comprehensive week of training. Harbour knowledge, administration, towage training, scenario based first aid training, man overboard and rescue techniques, and Conflict Resolution training were attended by all staff. The training week is important to ensure confident and skilled staff and to fulfil PMSC compliance regarding the appointment of “competent, adequately trained, qualified and experienced” officers.

12 4.4 The Easter weekend passed without incident. Although lockdown restrictions are slowly lifting and recreational boating is now allowed, the recent cold temperatures have kept numbers on the water low. The sailing clubs are beginning to field racing fleets at weekends and more people are out and about getting their vessels ready for what is likely to be a busy summer.

5.0 EAST HEAD COASTAL ISSUES ADVISORY GROUP

5.1 High tides and stormy weather at the beginning of the year has led to very visible changes around the Hinge at East Head.

5.2 Currently a shingle beach is now well established around the Red Flag area (Groyne 22). This beach is close to the height of the original man-made structures, providing an equivalent barrier, but one better able to protect the long-term integrity of East Head.

5.3 Further east around the Groyne 21 and 20 area, there has been considerable change with the sea defences failing over the past year. While these changes may appear to be more dramatic, they were anticipated by EHCIAG.

5.4 EHCIAG are currently working on a response to these recent changes and a ‘recycling’ activity is being considered to bolster the beach, by placing material behind the existing beach. This will ensure sufficient depth and material to successful continue the process of rollback.

6.0 MEMBER’S TRAINING

6.1 Induction training for new members is now likely to take place once new Council appointees have been confirmed.

7.0 DEFRA UPDATE & THE LANDSCAPES REVIEW

7.1 Defra are convening a virtual meeting of all AONB Lead Officers and Chairs on 28th April 2021 to discuss the Government’s response to the Landscapes Review. It is anticipated that plans for the creation of a new agency, the National Landscapes Service, will be central to those discussions. A briefing note will be emailed to Members after that meeting has taken place.

7.2 On 28th March, the BBC broadcast an episode of Countryfile that claimed to have seen leaked Government papers outlining the proposed merging of AONBs and National Parks. Whilst this is unsubstantiated, Members are advised that it remains a possibility.

7.3 The Conservancy has not yet received a legal opinion on Defra’s deferral of the application for Statutory Consultee Status. It is possible that this may now be superseded by other Government announcements. Meanwhile, at the last meeting of the Conservancy a Member asked whether other AONBs had ambitions for Statutory Consultee status. The AONB Manager can now confirm that 25 other AONB Partnerships requested this change through the Landscapes Review.

13 7.4 Finally, Defra have confirmed that the settlements for the 34 English AONBs will be a flat cash roll-over of baseline grant allocations in 2020/21. This means there is no inflationary increase in funding for 2021/22.

8.0 COASTAL FRONTAGE

8.1 It was reported at the last meeting that Hannah Wiggins-Bettles was the new contact for the England Coast Path (ECP) at Natural England. Hannah has since left her role and it is understood a replacement will be sought in due course.

8.2 Footpath 230 at Culner Creek, Bosham, is eroding on the landward side, and needs strengthening on the harbourside. The owner has instructed a contractor to undertake essential maintenance work in April and May 2021. It is not envisaged the footpath will need to be closed during the works.

8.3 Members are informed that plans are afoot to install c. 150m of new sea defences at Mill Meadow and The Slip, Bosham. The site is below MHWS and straddles the SSSI. The applicant has been advised that planning permission (with an Appropriate Assessment), MMO Consent and a Conservancy’s Works Licence will be required.

9.0 GREEN RECOVERY CHALLENGE FUND (ROUND 2)

9.1 The Green Recovery Challenge Fund, which focusses on nature restoration, opened for a second round of funding in March 2021. There are two possible grants available, those over £250,000 (as large grant), and those under £250,000 (a small grant). The Conservancy, with the support of CHaPRoN, submitted bids to both grant streams.

9.2 Unfortunately the Expression of Interest for a large grant was unsuccessful. The feedback was that this was due to significant demand on the limited funding available. The outcome of the bid for a small grant is unknown at the time of writing.

10.0 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

10.1 The Conservancy is currently consulting on Planning Principle 19: Houseboats. The consultation will run from 12th March until 30th April. The Conservancy has issued a press release, emailed all the parish councils and residents associations, emailed all the marinas and boatyards, publicised the consultation on social media and on the website. All responses will be shared with the Planning Committee 10th May, with a consultation report published on the Conservancy’s website thereafter.

10.2 Meanwhile, the Conservancy is having to respond to an unprecedented number of major developments on the fringe of the AONB.

• Land west of Pottery Lane, Nutbourne, 98 dwellings • Land east of Broad Road, Chidham, 132 dwellings • Land east of Broad Road, Hambrook, 35 dwellings

14 • Land west of Drift Lane, Hambrook, 68 dwellings • Land at Highgrove Farm, Bosham, 301 dwellings • Land at Black Boy Lane, Fishbourne, 35 dwellings • Land adjacent to Russells Garden Centre, 30 dwellings • Land at Bell Lane, Birdham, 77 dwellings • Land off Main Road, Birdham, 160 dwellings • Land at Church Lane, Birdham, 28 dwellings (inside the AONB)

Even though most of these developments are outside the AONB, they are sufficiently close enough to impact the character and setting of the AONB, as well as putting extra pressure on the Wastewater Treatment Works and the use of the coastal footpath, in terms of busyness, erosion and recreational disturbance.

10.3 The Principal Planning Officers have started working with David Hares Landscape Architects (Chichester) to help strengthen the Conservancy’s response to these applications, in terms of the landscape and visual impact of these developments on the AONB.

Richard Craven Richard Austin Director & Harbour Master AONB Manager

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16

CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY

Budget Monitor Report To 28th February 2021

Report by the Director & Harbour Master and Finance Manager

1. Introduction

1.1 This report sets out the Conservancy’s budget position for the period to 28th February 2021, comparing actual expenditure to the 2020-21 agreed budget.

1.2 The budget monitor considers the budgets of the Harbour operation and AONB operation as separate entities.

1.3 Budget profiles have been reviewed, taking account of known income and expenditure to ensure they represent a realistic expectation of future performance.

1.4 Projections take account of known variations and are based on the prudence concept.

1.5 The period covered by this budget monitor has been subject to government restrictions of varying degrees which have had a direct impact on the activities of both the Harbour and AONB operations.

1.6 In addition, within this period CHC employees may have been re-located, working at reduced capacity, working from home or in a small number of cases furloughed. This does have an impact on the spending behaviour and results in some variations on budget profiles.

2. Harbour Budget

2.1 Appendix 1 sets out the budget monitor to the end of February 2021. Details of the key issues within the Harbour budget are set out below.

Expenditure

2.2 A COVID expense line has been added to accurately record additional costs directly attributable to government regulations. Expenditure includes additional PPE and installation and rental costs of the temporary patrol office at Itchenor.

2.3 The staffing costs budget is currently underspent and projects an underspend of £27,000 at year end. This is due to variations between budgeted and actual grades, and a reduction in the employers pension contribution rate. In addition a full time post was temporary vacant.

2.4 The outturn variation on the maintenance budget relates to the budgeted annual bar survey, which will not be required this year. An additional survey was carried out in the latter part of the 2019-20 financial year following a dredge of the bar. In addition there has been modest spending on building maintenance, awaiting the confirmation of wider plans for the Harbour Office.

2.5 The variation on the transportation budget is due to a fault on a pump on the barge which required specialist investigation and repair.

2.6 The £10,000 variation to the equipment budget includes an overspend on IT software (£3,000), following a longer than anticipated parallel run of harbour

17 management systems. An overspend on the moorings maintenance budget line exists due to increased purchases of chain to carry out rechargeable works. In addition, a replacement outboard engine is required which will increase the overspend by an additional £2,000.

2.7 The professional services budget is currently significantly underspent against profile with a predicted underspend of £17,300 at year end. This is as a result of unused contingency (£7,500) and underspends on CHC day, Consultants and Meeting Expenses.

Income

2.8 A budget line has been added to record the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Grant funds of just over £3,000.

2.9 The Other Income budget is currently behind profile, however a small variation is anticipated due to additional income generated through rechargeable works and materials. .

2.10 The harbour dues budget has recovered well with a small favourable variation of £4,700 once all dues have been collected.

2.11 Moorings refunds have been issued to the value of £11,600.

Transfers to/from Reserves

2.12 There are no changes to transfers to/from reserves.

Surplus

2.13 As a result of the identified variations budgeted surplus increases by £40,500 to £111,000

3. AONB Budget

3.1 Appendix 2 sets out the budget monitor to the end of February 2021. Details of the key issues within the Environment budget are set out below.

Expenditure

3.2 A COVID expense line has been added to accurately record additional costs directly attributable to government regulations.

3.3 The staffing costs budget is currently overspent due to a one off personnel matter which is partially offset by small savings across the sub budgets.

3.4 The premises costs budget is currently underspent and projects a £6,000 underspend at year end due to savings on rates for Eames Farm and Dell Quay as a result of the grants offered by Chichester District Council.

3.5 The transportation budget is overspent due to planned maintenance and improvement works to the Solar Heritage. This projected overspend will be financed through the project budget.

18 3.6 The office supplies budget projects an underspend at year end of £9,500 due to reductions to variable costs over a number of sub-budgets, including advertising and publicity.

3.7 The professional services budget is currently underspent against profile. The cancellation of the planned ‘CHC Day’, plus reductions to a number of budgets including consultants, legal expenditure and an unused contingency budget results in a projected year end underspend of £15,000.

3.8 The AONB Projects budget is currently underspent by £34,600 with a year end projected underspend of £30,000 due to the removal of the Friends grant, originally in the budget.

In addition the 2019-20 brought forward amount of £31,200 is also unspent. Some funds (£14,700) within this budget are earmarked for specific projects or purposes. These have not yet been committed and must be carried forward to 2021-22 if unspent at year end.

Due to the nature of the AONB budget any overspend on the budget overall must be met by the project budget, in this case £7,300.

Income

3.9 A budget line has been added to record the Business Rates Support Grants awarded by CDC of £20,000.

3.10 An additional budget line has been added to record funds received from the Job Retention Scheme, expected to be around £23,000 by the end of the year.

3.11 Other income is currently projected to reduce by £49,000 as a result of reduced income from the Education Centre and Solar Heritage.

3.12 The variation on the harbour rent budget is due to a temporary reduction in income regarding one lease. This reduction has an impact on transfers to reserves, see para 4.1.

Transfers to/from Reserves

4.1 As a result of the reduction to income mentioned in para 3.12 transfers to reserves will reduce as a proportion of earnings on the affected property is payable to Chichester Harbour Trust.

Surplus

5 These amendments result in a projected budget shortfall of £7,300. Any shortfall will reduce the project budget accordingly.

Richard Craven Melanie Belderson Director & Harbour Master Finance Manager

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20 Budget Monitor - Harbour

Chichester Harbour Conservancy For the 11 months ended 28th February 2021

Account Harbour Budget Harbour Profile Harbour Actual Harbour Year End Projection Comments Variance Projection Variance

+ Additional Income Income - Reduced Income Job Retention Scheme Grant 0.00 0.00 3,049.49 3,049.49 3,100.00 3,100.00

Increased income from additional rechargeable works, Other Income 142,600.00 130,700.00 126,600.59 (4,099.41) 145,600.00 3,000.00 offsetting expected reduction in advertising income. County Council Precept 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Harbour Dues 397,500.00 391,300.00 385,932.73 (5,367.27) 402,200.00 4,700.00

Harbour Dues Refunds 0.00 0.00 (639.39) (639.39) (700.00) (700.00) Discretionary refunds issued due to Covid restrictions

Moorings Income 772,600.00 772,400.00 771,267.91 (1,132.09) 771,600.00 (1,000.00)

Moorings Refunds 0.00 0.00 (11,545.92) (11,545.92) (11,600.00) (11,600.00) Discretionary refunds issued due to Covid restrictions Harbour Rent/ Boat Park/ Car Park 137,500.00 85,973.00 83,916.26 (2,056.74) 137,500.00 Total Income 1,450,200.00 1,380,373.00 1,358,581.67 (21,791.33) 1,447,700.00 (2,500.00)

+ Additional Expenditure Expenditure - Reduced Expenditure COVID 19 Expense 0.00 0.00 5,808.42 5,808.42 6,000.00 6,000.00 Rental of temporary Patrol Office

Staffing Costs 613,000.00 555,591.00 538,592.83 (16,998.17) 586,000.00 (27,000.00) Temporary vacant post

2 Bar surveys were carried out in 19-20, no current plans for another survey in 20-21. Little expenditure Maintenance 55,200.00 51,142.00 35,085.53 (16,056.47) 41,400.00 (13,800.00) on building maintenance, awaiting confirmation of wider plans. Premises Costs 296,500.00 285,899.00 287,751.47 1,852.47 296,500.00 Overspend and year end variance relates to specfic Transportation 52,900.00 50,435.00 58,732.87 8,297.87 61,900.00 9,000.00 fault on barge, investigated and now repaired.

Overspends on IT system and chain purchase for Equipment 107,000.00 98,464.00 107,833.29 9,369.29 117,000.00 10,000.00 rechargeable works.

Office Supplies 46,100.00 35,320.00 32,621.81 (2,698.19) 46,100.00

Underspends on CHC day, Contingency, Consultants Professional Services 105,000.00 95,887.00 61,097.80 (34,789.20) 87,700.00 (17,300.00) and meeting expenses.

County Council Charges 17,100.00 17,100.00 0.00 (17,100.00) 15,200.00 (1,900.00)

Business Plan Expenditure 2,000.00 2,000.00 0.00 (2,000.00) 0.00 (2,000.00) Total Expenditure 1,294,800.00 1,191,838.00 1,127,524.02 (64,313.98) 1,251,800.00 (43,000.00)

Transfers to Reserves Transfers to Reserves 84,900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 84,900.00 0.00 Total Transfers to Reserves 84,900.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 84,900.00 0.00

Surplus 70,500.00 188,535.00 231,057.65 42,522.65 111,000.00 40,500.00

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22 Budget Monitor - AONB

Chichester Harbour Conservancy For the 11 months ended 28th February 2021

Account AONB Budget AONB Profile AONB Actual AONB Year End Projection Comments Variance Projection Variance

+ Additional Income Income - Reduced Income Friends Grant not received in year. Additional Grants and Donations 182,000.00 114,000.00 113,212.50 (787.50) 152,000.00 (30,000.00) projects proposed for 2021-22

Business Rates Support Grant 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 20,000.00 Business Rates grants of £20,000 issued by CDC Job Retention Scheme Grant 0.00 0.00 21,928.65 21,928.65 23,300.00 23,300.00 Other Income 71,200.00 61,249.00 16,115.19 (45,133.81) 22,200.00 (49,000.00) Reduced Education and Solar Hertiage income County Council Precept 402,800.00 402,800.00 402,800.00 0.00 402,800.00 Variation due to temporary rent abatement on Harbour Rent/ Boat Park/ Car Park 45,100.00 39,825.00 3,340.19 (36,484.81) 30,600.00 (14,500.00) one lease and loss of temporary hire income. Total Income 701,100.00 617,874.00 577,396.53 (40,477.47) 650,900.00 (50,200.00)

+ Additional Expenditure Expenditure - Reduced Expenditure Additional unbudgeted expenditure to comply COVID 19 Expense 0 0 330.64 330.64 500.00 500.00 with government regulations Additional one off expenditure relating to a Staffing Costs 446,700.00 409,470.00 416,400.30 6,930.30 452,700.00 6,000.00 personnel matter, partially offset by small savings on a number of sub-budgets Maintenance 13,200.00 12,106.00 12,164.59 58.59 13,200.00 Premises Costs 27,300.00 24,853.00 15,843.82 (9,009.18) 21,300.00 (6,000.00) Underspend on rates payments Outturn variation due to expenditure on Solar Transportation 19,500.00 18,557.00 32,840.62 14,283.62 41,000.00 21,500.00 Heritage, vehicle repairs and fuel. Equipment 10,900.00 10,009.00 8,051.76 (1,957.24) 10,900.00 Reduction to variable costs, including advertising Office Supplies 16,100.00 13,657.00 5,326.57 (8,330.43) 6,600.00 (9,500.00) and publicity Reduction to variable costs plus underspend on Professional Services 45,600.00 41,619.00 16,204.64 (25,414.36) 30,600.00 (15,000.00) Contingency and CHC day. Outturn variation relates to Friends grant, not AONB Projects 98,000.00 89,835.00 55,252.58 (34,582.42) 68,000.00 (30,000.00) received in year Underspend brought forward from 2019-20, Plus Brought Forward from 19-20 31,202.27 0.00 31,202.27 made available for projects County Council Charges 6,200.00 6,200.00 0.00 (6,200.00) 5,600.00 (600.00) Business Plan Expenditure 2,000.00 1,835.00 0.00 (1,835.00) 0.00 (2,000.00) Total Expenditure 716,702.27 628,141.00 562,415.52 (65,725.48) 681,602.27 (35,100.00)

Transfers to Reserves Variation due to temporary rent abatement on Transfers to Reserves 15,600.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8,300.00 (7,300.00) one lease which determines year end transfer. Total Transfers to Reserves 15,600.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 8,300.00 (7,300.00)

Underspend brought forward from 2019-20, Environment Brought Forward (31,202.27) 0.00 (31,202.27) made available for projects Deficit - To be funded through the project Surplus (0.00) (10,267.00) 14,981.01 25,248.01 (7,800.00) (7,800.00) budgets

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24 FINANCE & RISK & AUDIT GROUP

Minutes of the meeting of the Finance, Risk & Audit Group held on Monday 22 March 2021 on Zoom.

Present Tim Dapling Graeme Barratt Ann Briggs

Jeremy Hunt Robert Macdonald Keith Martin Simon Radford

Officers

Richard Craven Richard Austin Mel Belderson Maria Court (minutes)

Ed Carter Fiona Morris

WELCOME AND APOLOGIES

102. No apologies for absence were received.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

103. As harbour dues formed part of the discussions, Robert Macdonald, Keith Martin, Simon Radford and Richard Craven declared an interest as harbour users.

104. Jeremy Hunt declared an interest as the cabinet member for finance at West Sussex County Council.

MINUTES

105. The minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2020 were agreed as a true record of the meeting and were signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING

106. Minute 63 CIL, S106, Bird Aware Solent Funding. The AONB Manager (AONBM) reported contacting Chichester District Council (CDC) and Havant Borough Council (HBC) to explore available grants, he received a response but too late to put a paper to the meeting. The grants are in great demand and there is no guarantee of funding, but discussions will be continued for the Conservancy to be considered for funding. The member for CDC offered assistance in securing funding. In response to a question from a member, the AONBM explained that the levy received from house builders goes to Bird Aware Solent which the Conservancy can bid for, for individual projects. It is difficult to access this funding and to prove how effective the spending is in mitigation and there are restrictions on how the funding is spent. Natural England prefer a whole Solent approach to mitigation projects and spending rather than by local area.

Action: The AONBM will supply a list of projects that Bird Aware Solent have supported so far with location and value and details of the bodies represented and the decision-making process for the allocation of funding.

107. Minute 64. Bosham Boat Park Lease. The Director and Harbour Master (D&HM) reported that this has been signed off by the Conservancy.

108. Minute 67. Wittering Road. The D&HM reported that Southern Electric have been approached for funding.

109. Minute 68. Harbour Revision Order. The D&HM reported the Harbour Revision Order has been submitted to the MMO and a response is unlikely in the near future.

25

Other matters arising from previous minutes.

110. Defra AONB Settlement for 2021/22. The AONBM reported the funding settlement from Defra for 2021/22 is a flat cash freeze from 2019/20 with no inflation increase.

111. Green Recovery Challenge Fund – Round 2. The AONBM reported a bid for £750k had been submitted for a project to recover macroalgal weed. A draft was circulated to FRAG but the bid was redrafted after advice from Natural England and the Environment Agency to improve the chances of it being successful. The outcome should be known by 3 April 2021. A member asked if there were any other sources of funding for the project should the bid be unsuccessful. The AONBM suggested that other smaller funding streams might be available through FoCH for some of the work. The Chairman thanked the AONBM and the team for their continuing work in this area.

Action: The AONBM will circulate a copy of the revised bid.

112. Restarting Solar Heritage Trips. The AONBM reported the target date for restarting trips aboard Solar Heritage is 17 May 2021 in line with restrictions lifting. Passengers would be limited to 17 to allow for social distancing aboard. The main competitor, Chichester Harbour Water Tours have approached the Conservancy with a view to selling their business. Unfortunately, since the initial approach was made, no detail of the specifics of the sale have been forthcoming. If the Conservancy were to purchase that business, it was hoped that more Solar Heritage trips, with a more consistent schedule, could be undertaken from Itchenor as she would have exclusivity. In answer to a question from a member the D&HM explained that the all-tide access at Itchenor makes it a favourable location for regular trips with the boat spending the six weeks summer holidays in Emsworth to capture the increased passing trade there.

113. Eames Farm Heads of Terms (1 June 2021 to 31 December 2024). The AONBM reported tenant farmer Simon Sprakling (SS) had agreed the parameters for the heads of terms and a land agent was instructed to set out the agreement but subsequently SS sought a 50% reduction in the rent due to changes in the way subsidy payments are made to him. Generally, land rents are frozen or decreasing so a compromise was sought. The Land Agent is drawing up the heads of terms with stepped reductions of the rent to reflect changes in subsidy. Whilst SS is a valued tenant, and it is unlikely that another tenant farmer could be secured, the farm also has the potential to become a saltmarsh creation project and so has considerable value to the wider aims of the Conservancy and if SS is not prepared to sign the proposed rental agreement, then alternative uses for the site are available. A member requested that the terms of the lease of the land from Chichester Harbour Trust (CHT) were examined to ensure that alternative uses were possible. A member suggested that many publicly and privately funded bodies would be interested in leasing the land for conservation benefit. The D&HM confirmed that SS leases the land from CHC who in turn lease it from CHT, who in turn lease it on a 999yr lease from WSCC. A member suggested that there was more demand for small farms as evidenced by waiting lists for local authority owned farms.

Action: If prepared in time by the land agent, the AONBM will circulate the heads of terms to the FRAG in advance of it being taken to the Conservancy in April. The terms of the lease with CHT will be confirmed.

26 114. PhD Proposal. The D&HM reported the PhD proposal put forward by University of Brighton has been called to a halt due to funding issues. It is possible that the Conservancy could fund it jointly with other organisations who have offered funding but as there are already a number of ongoing projects requiring resources it has been decided to wait until the University of Brighton has resolved their funding.

115. The Chairman, Tim Dapling left the meeting and handed over to the Deputy Chairman, Robert Macdonald.

116. Minute 91 Pay increase. A member asked for an update on the pay increase, in light of the governments public sector pay freeze, that was going to be discussed at the most recent HR Sub-committee meeting, however this meeting did not take place. The D&HM and the Treasurer reported the pay increase has not been looked at further as no settlement has been reached however the budget was increased by 2% in anticipation of an increase.

117. A member asked whether Oysterboat Terror would be resuming trips this summer and if they would require much support. The D&HM reported they intended to resume on 17 May subject to running according to social distancing measures in place and required only minimal support with maintenance.

BUDGET MONITOR

118. The Finance Manager (FM) presented their report to members with the explanations for variations as set out in their written report.

Harbour Budgets

119. A transfer of £18,300 from the Covid reserve has been proposed, in relation to loss of income through moorings and harbour dues refunds, along with additional expenditure on the covid expenditure line. Without this transfer the Harbour surplus was projected to be £40,000 greater than budgeted. The FM requested members’ direction on whether the transfer should be made at this time. A discussion ensued as to whether the transfer was necessary at this time.

Action: The transfer is not required at this time and funds should remain in the Covid reserve.

120. A member queried why the repairs to the pump and motor on the barge did not come from the Repairs and Renewals fund as was identified as mitigation in the risk register. The D&HM said that it is preferable to cover variations from the revenue budget where possible. The R & R fund is principally structured for major capital expenses but could be called upon in extremis.

121. A member commented that income has remained buoyant whilst expenditure has reduced by approx. £46k. and that those savings should be examined to see if any elements were sustainable once normal operations have resumed. The D&HM indicated that the majority of savings had been made by not holding events or other public engagement but they would be kept under review.

122. A member noted that the Covid Job Retention Grant is showing as expenditure not income. The FM indicated that it had been included there to offset against payroll expenditure but agreed it should be moved to income alongside other grants.

Action: Move the Covid Job Retention Grant from expenditure to income for Harbour and AONB.

27 AONB Budget

123. On item 3.8, the FM explained that of the £44,700 of unrestricted funds described, £30,000 funding from the FoCH would now not be transferred until the next financial year but only advised of this on 19 March, too late to be included in the budget monitor or accompanying report.

Action: The FM will amend the budget monitor in advance of the next Conservancy meeting.

124. A member commented that the AONB income had been reduced more significantly than the Harbour side and may struggle next year, they asked whether it might benefit from the Covid reserve. The AONBM indicated that income was very likely to bounce back in 2021/22. The FM indicated that the Covid reserve had been created from Harbour funds but that the AONB might bid to the fund for specific projects. A member suggested that in the longer term more funds might be made available to the AONB from the Harbour side as users benefit from the designation. A member requested that details of planned projects were provided.

Action: The AONBM will provide a list of planned projects for 2021/22.

BUSINESS PLAN FOR THE HARBOUR OFFICE AND JETTY PROJECT

125. The D&HM presented his report and proposed drawings to members.

126. Members discussed the proposals for both the jetty and the Harbour Office. A member queried the additional administrative burden and the D&HM indicated that Harbour Assist and planned changes to staff deployment would mitigate this. A member suggested that the changes to the jetty should increase the extended length to 7m despite the misgivings of Itchenor Sailing Club.

Action: The plan presented to the Conservancy should reflect the revised 7m length.

Recommendation

127. FRAG accepts the recommendation subject to a small wording change.

Action: Change the wording to “FRAG supports the development of a business plan as more detail becomes available”.

ITCHENOR SAILING CLUB LEASE

128. The D&HM presented his report and proposed drawings to members.

129. Members discussed the proposals and asked for clarification on various points on the plans and maps. Members asked about the impact on navigation of the main channel, the Conservancy infrastructure and on wider Harbour users and also the apportionment of legal fees and the D&HM explained that while Itchenor Sailing Club (ISC) would gain there would be no adverse effect on other Harbour users or additional charges incurred.

130. The planning applications have been submitted and ISC’s ambition is to have changes in place for 2022. A member indicated that it should be a unified plan for Itchenor with all ISC changes and Conservancy changes considered in the round but that the Conservancy should protect its own interests.

Recommendation

28 131. FRAG supports the proposals provided that they are considered in light of the redevelopment of the public jetty.

FINANCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT

132. The D&HM presented the Financial Risk Assessment which is not annotated with changes as has been the previous custom. The Chairman requested that an annotated version be circulated after the meeting to be considered and approved.

Action: An annotated version of the risk register will be circulated for members to consider and approve.

WAIVER OF STANDING ORDERS PURCHASE OF MOORING CHAIN

133. The Treasurer presented their report for consideration by members.

134. Members discussed the proposals and the procurement and standards of production of chain. A member proposed setting a maximum annual purchase limit with the preferred supplier.

Recommendation

135. The standing orders will be amended to set an annual maximum purchase limit of £40,000 for the preferred supplier of new chain without the need for comparative quotes on individual purchases over £5,000 value.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

136. The date of the next meeting will be Monday 7 June 2021 from 10am.

The meeting closed at 13.56

Chairman.

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30 CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY

HR Sub-committee update report March 2021

Report from the Shared Services Manager and Director & Harbour Master

1.0 Furlough

1.1 The continuing restrictions on movement and commercial activity due to the Coronavirus pandemic have required our own continuing restrictions. During the lockdown period, the Harbour Office was closed to visitors, the Education Centre was closed, Solar Heritage was not sailing, and the guided walks and activities program remained suspended.

1.2 Solar Heritage Skippers and Crew – casual staff - furloughed until 31 March.

2.0 Maternity Cover for Moorings Officer

2.1 The Moorings Officer has started her maternity leave and the maternity cover post has been filled by a previous seasonal Patrol Officer.

3.0 Harbour Technician Recruitment

3.1 After interviewing external and internal candidates for the post of Harbour Technician, a member of seasonal Patrol who also provided some cover in the workshop over the winter has been appointed.

4.0 Seasonal Patrol Officers

4.1 The recruitment of seasonal patrol is underway with interviews taking place on Friday 12 March and patrol training will take place week commencing 22 March.

5.0 Resignation

5.1 A long-standing member of the Solar Heritage crew, oysterboat Terror crew and a volunteer ranger has resigned due to deteriorating health.

6.0 KPI’s

6.1 There has been little sickness, no one has tested positive for Coronavirus and there has been no self-isolation. There have been no accidents this quarter.

7.0 H&S Audit

7.1 The Health and Safety Audit has been completed, the auditor reported “the Conservancy is continuing to demonstrate continuous improvement of the Health and Safety management system”.

8.0 Staff recognition at Christmas

8.1 The Christmas hampers that were provided to all staff instead of a Christmas lunch were very well received and staff were very grateful and appreciative of the gesture.

9.0 Update to staffing since report to HR Sub-Committee

9.1 Two members of the Harbour Team have resigned to take up new opportunities. Staff have been redeployed as a result and this left only one vacancy at Emsworth Harbour Office. After interviewing internally and considering previous applicants for the Harbour Technician role, a long-standing member of Seasonal Patrol staff has been appointed to this permanent post.

31 9.2 The seasonal Patrol recruitment has been completed and 5 new members of casual staff have been appointed with 4 previous members returning for the season.

Richard Craven Maria Court

Director & Harbour Master Shared Services Manager

32 CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY APRIL 2021

ANNUAL WILDLIFE REPORT BY THE ECOLOGIST

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Covering April 2020-March 2021, and the Wetland Bird Survey 2019-20, this report summarises wildlife monitoring, habitat management and related projects within the Chichester Harbour AONB, carried out by CHC staff and volunteers.

2.0 Monitoring

2.1 Non-breeding Birds winter 2019-20 After a relatively low number of wintering brent geese in the harbour of 2018-19 (peak of 8,721) numbers were back to a more ‘normal’ level in 2019-20 with a peak of 11,582, including good numbers of juveniles (>10%).

2013- 2014- 2015- 2016- 2017- 2018- 2019- 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Estimated % young 15.4 23.0 0.9 8.6 1.0 8.0 13.1 Mean Brood Size 2.49 2.77 1.57 1.96 1.91 1.88 2.26

Table 1. National annual dark-belled brent goose monitoring 2013-2020 (estimated % young). Source: WWT, Goose and Swan Monitoring Programme

Dunlin (one of our most numerous waders in the winter) were present in very low numbers (peak of 7,035). Several other species of wader and waterfowl were present in relatively low numbers (below 5-year average), possibly reflecting a mild winter.

2.2 Breeding birds

CHC staff and volunteers monitor key breeding seabirds and waders during the main nesting period (April-July) through a combination of weekly or monthly site visits either via boat or on foot.

2.2.1 Terns and gulls

Due to COVID restrictions, some breeding bird survey work was restricted. Two tern rafts at Thorney Deeps were deployed in May and were again very successful, with a minimum of 33 pairs raising approximately 50 young to fledging; a remarkably productive season.

2019 2020 Common tern Common tern Common tern Common tern pairs fledged young pairs fledged young Thorney 9 20 33 48 (48-52) Deeps (rafts) Stakes Island 5 6 7 0

Table 2. Breeding common terns in Chichester Harbour 2019-20

33 Three pairs of little terns again attempted to nest on Stakes Islands (north), but were flooded out, along with a small number of common tern nests. At least one pair of little terns nested for the second attempt on Pilsey where they raised one chick to fledging. This was despite a large increase in recreational pressure on Pilsey during the months of June, July and August as lockdown restrictions were lifted.

In mid-summer, a tern raft was trialled on Stakes with the plan to launch in 2021, aimed at encouraging little terns to breed.

2.2.2 Waders

Snowhill Marsh and East Head: due to the appearance of avocets during April 2020, the Ecologist visited the site several times during May and June to monitor the breeding attempts.

The last time avocets bred in Chichester Harbour AONB was in the 1980s. Their appearance in 2020 may have been due to increased fox predation displacing birds from the nearby Medmerry site or may have been due to reduced human disturbance during the COVID lockdown period in April 2020.

Other breeding birds were noted, though not exhaustively so. All observations were made from the PRoW or from the hide on the east end of the site.

Visits to East Head were also made to monitor breeding ringed plovers, and to assess the chance of breeding attempts by little terns or common terns due to the vast reduction in human disturbance in April/May 2020 due to the COVID19 lockdown restrictions.

Snowhill Marsh Species Breeding Pairs Young Young Comments status seen fledged Avocet Confirmed 16 Yes Min 20, Early nesting pairs probably apparently much more 24 successful than later nesters, presumed predation of later nests. One of the adults was colour-ringed from Needs Ore in Hants, 2014 Oystercatcher Confirmed 2 No ? At least 2 possibly 3 nests in mid-May. Shelduck Confirmed 2 Yes ? 2 broods of ducklings noted 16.6.20 Ringed plover Probable 1 Pair present in mid May, no nest seen Redshank Possible 1 Lapwing Possible 1

Table 3. Breeding waders and shelduck at Snowhill Marsh, Witterings 2020.

On Pilsey, 3 pairs of oystercatchers and two pairs of ringed plovers fledged young, another significant improvement on previous years. At East Head, a pair of ringed plovers again hatched young, but it is unknown whether the chicks

34 fledged – the vast increase in recreational pressure that occurred when lockdown restrictions were lifted meant that it was unlikely.

On Thorney Deeps, 5 pairs of lapwings and 2 pairs of redshanks nested. At least 3 pairs of lapwings and 1 pair of redshanks had young in May, but it is not known whether they fledged young.

2.2.3 Other breeding birds

At least 5 pairs of shelducks with small ducklings were noted around the harbour during June.

Cattle egrets bred for the second successive year at Langstone Mill Pond.

2.3 Fish monitoring

Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority have cut much of their monitoring programme, and only carried out 1 shore-based survey in the autumn of 2020 (another was cancelled due to weather), in conjunction with Sparsholt College.

In early September, an Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus was found dead on the eastern side of Chichester Harbour – it was approximately 2 metres in length and weighed 180kg. It was recovered by the CHC patrol team and handed over Sussex IFCA so that tissue samples could be taken. It had only recently died and there were no signs of by-catch or ship strike. This is the first known ‘up-close’ record of this species in modern times in Sussex and fits with the increasing presence of this species in the English Channel.

2.4 Seals

In partnership with Langstone Harbour Board, seals are counted monthly (May- September). Surveys are conducted at low tide, using CHC/LHB vessels, with all known haul-out sites checked.

Due to COVID, some of the surveys in 2020 were Chichester Hbr only. At least 7 pups were recorded in Chichester harbour during June and July.

Below is the summary of the last 5 years seal monitoring data.

2015 2016 2017 2018* 2019 2020 Harbour 30 39 46 38 47 48 seal Grey seal 5 5 8 11 20 18

*Chichester harbour only

Table 4. Peak count of seals in Chichester Harbour and Langstone Harbour

2.5 Invertebrates

The rare micro moth Coleophora vibicella, present on Thorney Island, was surveyed by Tony Davis of Butterfly Conservation. This species feeds on Dyer’s greenweed and is monitored by counts of larval cases. The counts of larval cases from recent years are below.

35 Site Grid Method 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 reference Timed Eames Farm, SU7604 / count 704 555 1,081 1,212 151 Thorney 7603

Thornham Point, SU764043 Timed 89 61 81 114 207 Thorney count

Table 5. Larval cases of Coleophora vibicella, Thorney Island.

2.6 Botanical monitoring

Southern Marsh Orchids were surveyed at Fishbourne Meadows on 28/5/20. A total of 1455 spikes were recorded, a near doubling of the count in 2019 (742) and another increase from 2018 (460).

2.7 Misc Monitoring

The Isle of Wight White-tailed eagle reintroduction scheme run by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation has now completed its second year of releases (six birds were released in 2019 and a further seven in 2020). Several of the birds (that all wear satellite tracking devices) have been recorded over Chichester Harbour during the past year, usually on their way to and from the IoW as they roam widely across southern England.

2.7.1 Shoresearch

No shoresearch carried out this year due to COIVD restrictions.

3.0 Site Management

3.1 Fishbourne Meadows (Local Wildlife Site)

The site was cattle grazed from 17/6/20 to 25/10/20 with 12 yearling cattle.

3.2 Nutbourne Farm (Site of Special Scientific Interest)

Up to 14 belted Galloway cattle (cows and calves) grazed the site from late April to mid-October.

3.3 Thornham point (Local Wildlife Site)

This site is noted for the rare moth Coleophora vibicella and several scarce plants. Bramble is expanding on the open grassland, and as in previous years a small section of the encroaching scrub was cut by the Ranger team to maintain the open grassland.

3.4 Chichester Marina reedbed (Local Wildlife Site)

As in the previous year, in agreement with the landowner, the Rangers cut a small area of reedbed directly in front of the hide. Management of the reedbed had previously been carried out by CHC in 2016.

36 The purpose of the management was to improve the structural diversity of the reedbed edge and to improve the view from the hide. This has maintained an open area in front of the hide during the autumn and winter.

A wintering bittern was noted a few times by visiting birdwatchers during the winter of 20-21.

3.5 Earnley Triangle (Local Wildlife Site)

Continuing the management that started in 2019, the Rangers carried out some bramble removal on c.0.5ha to maintain the balance between open grassland and scrub in the autumn of 2020.

4.0 Projects

4.1 Thorney Deeps and Stakes Tern Rafts

At Thorney Deeps, with permission from the MoD, 2 rafts were deployed in early May and were very successful for common terns. A minimum of 33 pairs of common terns raised at least 48 young.

This will be continued in 2021, and hopefully expanded in future years.

A trial raft was deployed on Stakes in July – although too late for breeding terns, it was a valuable learning experience, and 2 rafts will be deployed there in May 2021.

4.2 Thorney Deeps wetland enhancement

In partnership with the MoD and the tenant farmer and funded by the MoD’s Environment Fund some wetland enhancements were made to the south side of Thorney Deeps in the autumn of 2019 and 2020. The habitats enhancements were designed by the CHC Ecologist. This involved some scrub removal and some scrapes/ponds being created on the grassland to improve conditions for nesting waders (primarily lapwings and redshank) and wintering waterfowl (primarily wigeon, teal, black-tailed godwit, curlew and snipe).

This has proved successful; in spring 2020 up to 5 pairs of lapwings and 2 pairs of redshank using the newly created wet areas, and during the winter the pools were regularly used by a range of wintering ducks and waders.

4.3 Wildflower Meadows

The small trail plot planted at Cobnor in 2019 was monitored and managed by the Rangers and Ecologist. Although only in its first year, the site was looking in good condition with a full range of the planted species having successfully germinated.

The site was cut and raked off in August 2020.

4.4 West Thorney habitat creation scheme (managed realignment)

In 2019, the Environment Agency, with their main contactors JBA consulting, began a scheme to create saltmarsh and other intertidal habitats on the west side of Thorney Island. The CHC Ecologist is regularly attending meetings with the project team to ensure the best habitat design is delivered. The project is due to complete in 2024-2025.

37

4.5 Student Projects and Further Research

Undergraduate, postgraduate students and academics that were working in the harbour and receive assistance and/or advice from CHC staff. These include:

Seals (population, haul-out use, recreational disturbance photo ID)– 1 x MSc, 3 x BSc, supervisor Dr Sarah Marley, University of Portsmouth

Terns (feeding timing and frequency) 1 x BSc, supervisor Dr Bryony Tolhurst, University of Brighton.

Microplastics and endocrine disrupters – Dr Corina Ciocan, University of Brighton

Most of the fieldwork was delayed or cancelled during 2020 due to the COVID pandemic.

5.0 Recommendation

5.1 Members are recommended to discuss and endorse the Annual Wildlife Report.

Peter Hughes Ecologist

38

Internatio National 5yr nal 2015/ 2016/ 2017/ 2018/ 2019/ Importanc Species averag importanc 2012/ 2013/ 2014/ 16 17 18 19 20 e e e 13 14 15 (peak (peak (peak (peak threshold threshold month) month) month) month)

Brent Goose 10,867 11,206 16,446 14,260 13,058 10,224 8721 11582 11,569 910 2,400 (Dark-bellied) (Jan) (Dec) (Feb) (Jan) (Jan)

Shelduck 696 363 572 340 499 656 502 407 480 610 3,000 (Jan) (Jan) (Mar) (Jan) (Jan)

2,381 3,865 2,062 2,938 3,387 2,355 2821 1993 2,698 4,400 15,000 Wigeon (Oct) (Oct) (Dec) (Nov) (dec)

1,689 1,129 1,651 987 1,325 1,083 1005 950 1070 2,100 5,000 Teal (Dec) (Jan) (Feb) (Dec) (Feb)

193 220 296 117 128 246 154 72 143 290 600 Pintail (Mar) (Dec) (Dec) (Jan) (Feb)

115 76 Red-breasted 154 267 222 97 (Jan) 103 136 (Mar) 105 84 1,700 (Dec) Merganser (Jan) (Nov)

39 Appendix 2: SPA key wader peak counts Chichester Harbour between 2012/2013 and 2019/20 (Table 7 )

National International 5yr Species 2018/19 2019/20 Importance importance 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 average 2012 2013 2014/ (peak threshold threshold (peak (peak (peak /13 /14 15 month) month) month) month)

271 Ringed Plover 750 512 751 254 (Jan) 209 (Nov) 206 340 730 (Aug) 126 (Jan) 172 (oct) 1218 Oystercatcher 1,451 1,940 1,713 1,463 1,567 1,655 1219 (Nov) (Nov) 1,424 3,200 8.200

1081 Lapwing 1,417 1,928 1,968 2,186 1,292 1,397 1002 (Dec) (Dec) 1,391 6,200 20,000

325 Golden Plover 743 318 1,974 412 470 97 492 (Nov) (Nov) 359 4,000 9,300

1,354 1073 Grey Plover 1,450 1,222 1,536 1,667 (Jan) 1,443 (Nov) 1,298 430 2,500 (Dec) 957 (Jan) (Nov) Sanderling 350 606 404 148 (Apr) 106 (Dec) 110 (Dec) 176 (Dec) 155 (Mar) 139 160 1,200 12,09 14,79 9,853 12,960 14252 7035 Dunlin 8,821 12,830 (Jan) 11,386 3,500 13,300 9 9 (Dec) (Jan) (Jan) (Jan) 1105 Knot 363 1,146 5,053 1,254 4,006 1,411 1456(Dec) (Nov) 1846 3,200 4,500

698 (Nov 512 850 (Oct) Black-tailed Godwit 401 606 594 807 (Dec) 702 610 430 &Dec) (Dec) 644 (nov)

609 458 (Feb) Bar-tailed Godwit 903 1,159 328 760 (Jan) 721 (Dec) 575 380 1,200 (Feb.) 330(Jan) 1,594 1246 Curlew 1,557 1,960 1,391 1,125 (Jan) 1,372 1,272 1,400 8,400 (Nov) 1024 (nov) (Dec) 1,491 1607 Redshank 1,790 1,953 2,139 1,649 (Oct) 1,595 1,605 1,200 2,400 (Nov) 1686 (Oct) (Oct) Greenshank 97 99 96 101 (Aug) 84(Aug) 70 (Aug) 86 (Sept) 50 (Sept) 78 6 2,300

40 Turnstone 309 150 162 206 324 287 198 (nov) 219 (dec) 246 480 1,400 146 (Sept & 209 (sept) 136 (Oct) Little Egret 141 252 259 132 (Sept) 216 (Oct) 167 45 1,300 Oct)

Appendix 3: BTO WeBS Alerts (Table 8)

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) produces WeBS alerts for species undergoing short term (5 yr), medium term (10 yr), and long term (25 yr) declines. High alerts are for declines greater than 50%. Medium alerts are for declines of 25%-50%.

The BTO compares site data with national and regional trends to suggest whether declines are due to local/site issues or to broader regional/national changes. WeBS alerts were re-issued in 2019, and the results for Chichester Harbour and Langstone Harbour SPA are shown below.

Alerts have been triggered for 10 out of the 15 species assessed for Chichester and Langstone Harbours SPA, and also for the waterbird assemblage. For the seven wader species for which alerts have been triggered, comparison of the site and regional trends suggests that the alerts may be driven by broadscale changes in distribution. However, for the three wildfowl species (Shelduck, Shoveler and Teal) the comparison suggests that the alerts may be driven by site-specific pressures. Note that in the case of Teal, high numbers were sustained at the site for several years during the baseline period but these levels have not be achieved subsequently in spite of increases elsewhere

Percentage changes for SPA designated species First Ref Short-term Med-term Long-term Baseline % Δ since Species Info Winter Winter % Δ % Δ % Δ Winter baseline

Brent Goose (Dark-bellied - bernicla) – 91/92 16/17 22 -11 3 84/85 6

Shelduck – 91/92 16/17 -5 -18 -67 84/85 -73

Shoveler – 91/92 16/17 -23 -39 -34 84/85 -48

Wigeon – 91/92 16/17 -20 15 73 84/85 58

Pintail – 91/92 16/17 12 -23 -13 84/85 2

41 First Ref Short-term Med-term Long-term Baseline % Δ since Species Info Winter Winter % Δ % Δ % Δ Winter baseline

Teal – 91/92 16/17 -20 1 -16 84/85 -44

Red-breasted Merganser – 91/92 16/17 -26 -13 -6 84/85 39

Grey Plover – 91/92 16/17 -8 -13 -47 84/85 -38

Ringed Plover – 91/92 16/17 -8 -41 -74 84/85 -71

Curlew – 91/92 16/17 -12 -26 -2 84/85 -31

Bar-tailed Godwit – 91/92 16/17 -19 -21 -40 84/85 -51

Turnstone – 91/92 16/17 7 -10 18 84/85 12

Sanderling – 91/92 16/17 -31 -38 -49 84/85 -69

Dunlin – 91/92 16/17 -20 -16 -47 84/85 -49

Redshank – 91/92 16/17 3 -3 17 84/85 -19

Waterbird assemblage – 91/92 16/17 -9 -5 -26 84/85 -31

Percentage Changes for non SPA designated bird species First Ref Short-term Med-term Long-term Species Info Winter Winter % Δ % Δ % Δ

Mute Swan – 91/92 16/17 1 22 132

42 First Ref Short-term Med-term Long-term Species Info Winter Winter % Δ % Δ % Δ

Mallard – 91/92 16/17 -18 -15 -19

Pochard – 91/92 16/17 -73 -75 -77

Tufted Duck – 91/92 16/17 -26 1 77

Goldeneye – 91/92 16/17 -43 -46 -81

Little Grebe – 91/92 16/17 3 -27 66

Great Crested Grebe – 91/92 16/17 -19 -7 13

Little Egret – 96/97 16/17 -7 -8 126

Cormorant – 91/92 16/17 12 -2 -33

Coot – 91/92 16/17 23 52 177

Oystercatcher – 91/92 16/17 -1 -12 -17

Lapwing – 91/92 16/17 -9 -41 -53

Golden Plover – 91/92 16/17 -27 -65 -48

Black-tailed Godwit – 91/92 16/17 -15 10 2

Knot – 91/92 16/17 -20 70 27

Ruff – 91/92 16/17 -33 -87 -99

Greenshank – 91/92 16/17 11 42 197

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44 Agenda Item 10

CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY

26 APRIL 2021

THORNEY ISLAND REALIGNMENT UPDATE – FOR DECISION

1.0 Introduction

1.1 In 2019, the Environment Agency entered into an agreement with the MoD to realign the seawall on the western side of Thorney Island to restore intertidal habitats. This is driven by the EA’s Regional Habitat Creation Programme.

https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/solent-and-south-downs/thorney-island- habitat-creation-scheme-information/

1.2 The scheme has the potential to deliver c.30ha of intertidal habitats (saltmarsh and mudflats), going some way to replace habitats lost in recent decades.

1.3 Final design has not been agreed, but it is likely to include a new set back seawall incorporating the PRoW, 2 breaches in the existing seawall, and bird islands along around the existing sea wall.

1.4 The scheme is due to be constructed during 2023-24 and completed by 2025.

2.0 Current Conservancy Involvement

2.1 Peter Hughes, CHC ecologist, has been on the project team since the start working on:

• encouraging the adoption of a scheme design that includes a diverse mix of habitats alongside the required saltmarsh; • advising on future management of the site; • identifying biodiversity net gain opportunities (on and off-site); and • advising on public engagement with all local stakeholders and harbour users.

3.0 Future Management

3.1 At the end of the construction phase, the Environment Agency wish to hand the land onto an organisation for ongoing management through a long-term lease (for other similar schemes around the country the preferred partners have been RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, or Wildlife Trust).

3.2 The Conservancy is well placed to enter into this lease agreement, should the option arise, having already established a good working relationship with the MoD, and already managing land at Eames Farm which lies immediately to the north. The likely scenario for the site is that there will be some cattle grazing management required, some small- scale habitat management (e.g. pond maintenance, tree-planting), and maintenance of the PRoW.

3.3 The preferred prospective lease holder will carry some degree of influence as the scheme starts to take shape.

45

4.0 Recommendation

4.1 Members are recommended to:

a) Endorse the Conservancy starting negotiations with the Environment Agency about taking on a long-term lease for the site.

4.2 Any such agreement will be subject to Member’s approval at a later meeting.

Richard Austin Peter Hughes AONB Manager Ecologist

46 CHICHESTER HARBOUR CONSERVANCY

REVIEW OF HARBOUR OFFICE AND JETTY

UPDATE BY THE DIRECTOR & HARBOUR MASTER

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 Progress with this project has been affected by the pandemic and we are now pushing to finalise in order to complete work before next season. While much activity has been undertaken not all the pieces of the jigsaw are yet in place, so we are seeking support from the Conservancy for the overarching concept and delegation to the FRAG for oversight of the business plan and fine detail.

1.2 The Conservancy has been working ever harder to maintain market share for its mooring business and to enhance this position and it is judged that we need to improve facilities to make Itchenor a more desirable hub for sailors, and give ourselves flexibility to expand our offer to yachtsmen.

1.3 Current arrangements provide a jetty that that cannot be accessed on the largest tides, a Harbour Office laid out for a transactional relationship with harbour users and basic shower and toilet facilities.

1.4 Itchenor is not a popular destination for visiting yachtsmen and visitor numbers have declined over time in line with reducing use of cruising vessels. Significantly, we have experienced a number of issues with visitors capsizing their tenders on the trip to and from the Itchenor Jetty, and tragically in the past a fatality, consequently a key driver is to improve their safety.

2.0 THE VISION

2.1 To create within the Harbour Office a welcoming reception area for yachtsmen, passengers and harbour users with more comprehensive engagement, wifi, and good standard toilets and showers.

2.2 The jetty to have all tide access and the ‘T’ Head increased from the current 45m length to 100m to allow for short stay visits during the day and overnight stays for visitors, with rafting.

2.3 Improved facilities would enable scope for extra services to be offered to mooring holders such as bringing their vessels to the jetty and hiring of yachts and facilitating batteries to be recharged for vessels converting to electric engines.

3.0 CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE

3.1 Latest science on climate change indicate that IPCC projections are conservative, high tides regularly cut off the jetty and cover the parking bays in up to 2 ft of water before we factor in predicted sea level rise. At some stage a sea wall will need to be built to protect the Harbour Office or the road raised. This will be an expensive undertaking with early indications in the region of £500k. Negotiations will need to be undertaken with coastal defence authorities, but this could be undertaken as a later and separate project.

3.2 As part of the refurbishment of the Harbour Office the opportunity will be taken to make it resilient to flooding, and to review power use and heating systems to minimise carbon emissions.

47 4.0 THE PROPOSAL

4.1 At the heart of this proposal is the enhancement of the Harbour Office to provide a significantly better experience for customers, and greater scope for disseminating information about the Conservancy’s work. The principal focus is on increasing and retention of mooring let, making it a better destination for visiting yachts, and thirdly making it the main hub for operating Solar Heritage. The main reception area will be enlarged, shower and toilet facilities will be enhanced to provide 4 high quality toilet/ showers. Appendix A shows current arrangements and Annex B shows the proposed changes.

4.2 A central strand of the consideration has been to provide a significantly longer ‘T’ Head to have walk ashore visitor berth. Bathymetric surveys indicate that the ‘T’ head will need to move seaward by 7m to fully utilise the inside of the jetty and avoid the shoaling bank close to the west (Annex C). Itchenor Sailing Club identify that the jetty already creates a pinch point and small craft face difficulties in moving further into the channel into stronger tides and congested waters.

4.3 A third-party risk assessment will be commissioned to ensure proposals do not represent a significant hazard, and the associated mooring moves will create more open water in the vicinity of the ‘T’ Head. Enquiries will be made to environmental regulators to see if a small discrete dredge could be undertaken to reduce the seaward extension of the jetty.

4.3 The proposal will require the displacement of a number of Haines Boatyard moorings and room will be found to relocate these by removing 4 visitor swinging moorings. See Annex D, coloured moorings relocated.

4.4 Consent will be sought to return the shoreward end of the jetty around the wall of Jetty House to enable all tide access. See annex E This will require the re-siting the bin compound.

5.0 WIDER CHANGES

5.1 The Conservancy changes are part of a wider set of proposals to improve conditions for sailors. Itchenor Sailing Club are seeking to improve the layout of their jetties, to achieve better access to and from the Club for vessels. This entails removing the western jetty, and short eastern jetty and replacing with a lengthened eastern jetty with a larger ‘T’ Head.

5.2 The wider ambition is to clear space around their launching sites to make access easier for junior sailors, removing the western jetty is a key part if this ambition. See Annex F for current arrangements with new jetty superimposed.

5.3 To achieve this a number of Darley moorings, which are located adjacent the Club premises, need to be moved to provide the necessary sea room. The only way to achieve this in the congested Itchenor Reach is to conglomerate the moorings on a mid-stream pontoon.

5.4 Both of these developments will require Conservancy agreement and scrutiny through the works licence and lease process, as well as planning permission and MMO licences, which are now in train. These changes will require some flexibility by the Conservancy but are viewed as desirable as part of an overall vision for improving marine access to Itchenor.

5.5 This is a difficult process to unlock in the Itchenor Reach with densely packed moorings and different fundus owners. While details have not been finalised,

48 converting 3 x Darley B4 moorings on CHC land to 3 x A4 moorings on Crown is likely to achieve that. This would be structured so the same income accrued annually to the Conservancy and would have environmental advantages.

6.0 BUSINESS CASE

6.1 The business case for the Harbour Office and Conservancy jetty are considered in Part 2.

7.0 RECOMMENDATION

7.1 It is recommended that the Conservancy approve the proposal as far as described for the changes to the Harbour Office and Jetty and delegate responsibility to the FRAG to approve the business plan when all costs are known, with the flexibility to approve minor changes to the plans, and any mitigations required by regulators.

Richard Craven

Director & Harbour Master

49

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50 WC WC

OFFICE

RECEPTION

SHOWER

OFFICE

EXISTING GROUND FLOOR PLAN

51 PICTURE WINDOW

TABLE SOFA WC WC

SOFA

NOTE: BUILD FLOORS UP SO THAT THEY ARE LEVEL

SHOWER/WC DISPLAY/NOTICES/INFORMATION AND OPENED UP INTERNAL DOOR REMOVED

SHOWER/WC COFFEE MACHINE DISPLAY/NOTICES/INFORMATION RECEPTION FRIDGE

OFFICE FILING/PHOTOCOPIER

OFFICE

SHOWER/WC

STEPS ?

SHOWER/WC

SHOWER/WC

SHOWER/WC

PROPOSED GROUND FLOOR PLAN

52 Annex C

Annex D

53 Proposed Changes to Harbour Office Jetty Head – ‘Dry Foot’ Access – Concept

54 TENDER JETTY

SCALE BAR 1:250 AT A1

0 4m 8m 12m 16m 20m

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56