Port Users Group

Government regulations now require that ports not only should be governed by a Harbour Authority but should also have a Port Users Group in place. The Port Users Group is there in order to act as a consultative body for the Harbour Authority.
The PUG for the Exe Estuary has now been formed and a Chairman and Secretary elected.
The Chairman is Rex Frost and the Secretary is David Rochester.
I am one of the two representatives for the West Bank of the estuary. The inaugural meeting of the PUG has taken place and my brief notes from the meeting follow.
Jeremy Lees

Pug meeting.
Introduction by all attendees present.
Try to keep the pug as a consultative and advisory body.
Constitution agreed as proposed.
Powerboat club would like 2 representatives on the pug
Maybe co opt second member or alternate as necessary.
Chairman and secretary proposed, seconded and elected.
Nominated names for interest groups.
Sailing, motor boating, moorings, commercial, ferries (passenger carrying) fishing and other interests such as kayaking, kite surfing.
JL to represent and act as contact for West Bank (only one present at the meeting)
The EoD has been consulted and would like to have been represented. Will be covered by moorings rep for the moment at least.
Patrol boat been bought. Due to funding source, patrol boat restricted to controlling users disturbing wildlife.
Looking for a mooring for a 24-30' boat, maybe a 7m rib with twin engines.
The pug is a consultative body for the harbour/port authority, may not have any power/voice with regard to wildlife measures.
Therefore important to keep the eeua alive in order to provide an appropriate voice on issues that are not directly related to Harbour Directives.
Next meeting late November. Including Roger Crane, council officer plus Councillor Bialyk. Topsham Sailing Club?

Latest minutes of the PUG:
Minutes of EPUG meeting 24th November 2016, Topsham Sailing Club.
Present
Rex Frost Chairman ESC/Exmouth C of C Dave Rochester Secretary Topsham SC/EEUA
Mark Trout Commercial
Bill Ricketts TMOA
Shaun Griffits LEMA Neil Downes LF&HA
Mark Sansom Commercial/Power boating Jeremy Lees Starcross YC
Phil Burrows Starcross FCC
Ian Stuart Stuart Line Jane Evans Exeter Water Sports Assn
Pete Hardy EPBSC

Apologies - R Collinson

Acceptance of previous minutes - Accepted.

Matters Arising - All outstanding matters have been dealt with.

Discussion with Colin Acton/Phil Bialyk. CA advised that the priority was to adhere to the Port Marine Safety Code and for that reason Harbour Directions were being sought. Issues which may be addressed could include adherence to regulations re alcohol, boat speed or the Collision Regs. Other areas mentioned were maintenance of the channel, vessels in the channel and sewerage. They expect approval for issuing HD by April 2017

PB indicated that he wished to progress matters promptly and would be putting a strategy paper to the council in January (12th?) CA to advise when draft is available on the MOD.GOV app. He was of the view that the Exe was an asset which they should retain control over and while the Canal and River Trust may be asked to manage some canal issues Exeter CC would retain control. He is reviewing options re a Harboumaster and he saw generation of revenue as less of an issue. While ECC have to maintain the Canal which they own, expenditure on the estuary is much lower being limited to enforcement and maintenance of navigation marks and a safe port. However involvement of other authorities makes things less clear cut. No decision has been made re registration and charging.

When questioned PB confirmed it was the intention to arrange cross warranting with the other councils. This led to a discussion on the intentions of SEDHRP and the need for exemptions to speeding for some business users, safety boats and sailing craft. PB accepted that any speed limit should be appropriate and with a logical basis and expressed concern that EEMP/SEDHRP should not be at cross purposes to ECC re speed enforcement. The current limit of 10 knots results in excessive wash in moored areas while conversely, high speed is not an issue on large stretches of the river, as most powerboats operate in the summer and at high tide when birds are roosting elsewhere. ND indicated that regulations re byelaws had changed in recent years and it should be possible to amend existing byelaws more easily.

Chair’s report - RF advised
• That subsequent to the last meeting, Tim Faulkner was consulted as he believed he had been misunderstood. In a series of emails and phone conversations it become apparent that the Earl felt that Powderham should be represented, but Tim believed that there was little to be gained from his appearance on the group. There is sufficient representation of the interests which might concern Powderham for matters to be raised and also for them to be consulted by others in their area if necessary. Powderham will therefore not be part of the PUG. Powderham are now partners of the EEMP so will not be left in the dark.
• RF to seek early access to ECC Waterways Strategy plan.
• He had been contacted by the Dept for Transport who were enquiring re the makeup of the PUG.
• PUG Press release had been covered in several publications.
• The Exe is included in the latest MMO South Inshore Marine Plan as part of zone 6-inshore waters.
Secretary’s report - DR advised:
• That the Waterways partnership board was now dissolved.
• Exeter now formally applied for HD.
• EEMP consultation on the 5 year plan had been held on 5th October. The general view was that little genuine consultation with user groups had taken place. Steph Clark conceded that most action by EEMP would have to rely on voluntary cooperation.
• EEMP consultation on zoning was being held at County Hall on Dec 8th. Booking of seats required.
• EEMP winter forum would be held on Feb 7th.


EEMP Update - ND confirmed that EEMP have no legislative authority but are obliged under EU regulations to put forward a five year plan to protect the Estuary. They meet quarterly and see their role as coordinating activities on the estuary and that enforcement was not seen as a priority.

AOB None.

Date and Time of Next meeting - AGM in March unless otherwise advised