Agenda and minutes
PDF 189 KBVenue: Rushmoor Borough Council, Concorde Room
Contact: Richard Plummer
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ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN
To elect a new Chairman of the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee. Minutes: The Chairman of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) noted that, as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement of the JMC (2014), the Chairmanship of the Committee would rotate once every two years. It was noted that the current Chairman was elected in October 2015 and that a new Chairman would be elected in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (2014).
The outgoing Chairman, Mike Goodman, proposed Andrew Gibson, to be elected Chairman of the JMC. This was seconded by Charles Choudhary. It was agreed unanimously that Andrew Gibson be elected Chairman of the Committee.
Andrew Gibson proposed Mike Goodman to be elected Vice Chairman of the JMC. This was seconded by Charles Choudhary. It was agreed unanimously that Mike Goodman be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Minutes: Apologies were received from Ann-Marie Barker, Verna Smith and Liz Murnaghan.
Gareth Jones substituted for Verna Smith and Brian Gandy substituted for Liz Murnaghan. |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: 26 JULY 2017
To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a true and accurate record of proceedings. Minutes: The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting.
Members agreed that the issue of the priority of Swan “Cutting” raised at the previous meeting as part of item 8, Capital Works Progress Report, was a concern, but that it was discussed, but not agreed at the previous meeting.
It was therefore RESOLVED by the Committee to recommend to the BCA that the priority of work regarding Swan “Cutting” be increased by the Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA).
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter (i) Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or (ii) Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting NOTES: · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest · As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner) · Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial.
Minutes: There were no declarations of interest made. |
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QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
To receive either any questions or petitions.
Notes: 1. The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00 noon four working days before the meeting [24 November 2017]. 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting [23 November 2017]. 3. The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received. Minutes: There were two questions received from Dick King, Chairman of John Pinkerton Canal Cruises:
1. How do Officers justify the current Commercial Navigation Licence policy, and the inclusion of Clause 8.3?
2. On which date did the members of the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee approve the current policy for the Commercial Navigation Licence?
The response is attached as Annex 1.
The questioner noted the response and expressed that they were happy with the response provided. |
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FUTURE OF THE CANAL UPDATE
Purpose of the report: To update Members of the Joint Management Committee on progress regarding the future of the canal and give an overview of the work of the Canal and River Trust (CRT). Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Officers:
James Taylor, Strategic Manager Basingstoke Canal
Authority
Key points raised during the discussion:
1.
The representative of the Canal and Rivers Trust
(CRT) highlighted their role, background and the organisational
structure of the Trust in a presentation delivered to the
Committee. This presentation is attached as Annex
B. 2.
The ten year strategy for the Canal and Rivers Trust
was outlined, noting that the CRT was using its resources to expand
in properties, joint ventures and non-property endowments. Members
asked for further details regarding how the CRT is financed and
managed investments. The representative for CRT offered to share
the annual report of the CRT with the Committee. 3.
Members questioned the strategy and the assumption
of sustained levels of government funding. It was queried whether
the funding levels could change as a result of the exit of the
United Kingdom from the European Union, and noted that the CRT
should prepare for financial pressures. The representative of the
Canal and Rivers Trust explained that the funding from the
Department of Food and Rural Affairs should remain
consistent. 4.
Members queried how the CRT is insured in case of
canal failure. The representative of CRT noted that it was
self-insured, and that any issues would be handled by the
CRT’s insurance. However, it was stressed that the CRT would
prioritise maintenance to minimise any risk of canal
failure. 5.
Members noted the positive work of the CRT and
stressed that more work could be undertaken with volunteers by the
Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) on a similar model to the CRT,
particularly noting participation and involvement with
partners. 6.
The representative for CRT noted that the expected
timescale for the transfer of BCA assets to the CRT was 2022,
noting that the CRT was working with the BCA and partners to
achieve a sustainable transfer of assets. 7.
Members questioned what the management structure
would be upon transfer of assets to the CRT. The representative of
CRT noted that this had not yet been scoped out, but that this
would be developed during the five year period of transfer and that
it would work with current stakeholders to construct this
framework. Actions/Recommendations: 1. That the Annual Report of the Canal and Rivers Trust is circulated to the Committee.
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OUTTURN FORECAST 2017/18 AND FORWARD BUDGET 2018/19
Purpose of the report: To brief Members on the financial position of the Basingstoke Canal Authority. Minutes: Declarations of
interest: Officers: Key
points raised during the discussion:
1.
The Finance Officer noted that the service had
produced a balanced budget, with the assumption that all partner
authorities would continue to provide their current
contribution.
2.
It was highlighted that the Hampshire County Council
capital contribution would cover the next three years, and that
Surrey County Council had a capital surplus of £335,430 in at
the end of the financial year 2016/17.
3.
It was noted that the unallocated reserve was
projected to stand at £508,567 at the end of 2017/18 and
£510,567 at the end of 2018/19 according to budget forecasts.
However, it was noted that the report did not assume that the
Campsite redevelopment project would be approved and did not
include the required Capital investment in the finance
report.
4.
Members queried the Farnborough Road mooring and
whether this would be likely to provide additional income to the
BCA. It was noted that moorings at Farnborough Road had not being
implemented due to external approval issues and had negatively
affected rental income. It was noted that the service had worked
with external partners to resolve these issues and that work would
begin shortly.
5.
Members questioned the full contributions from
partner authorities. The Members from Surrey Heath explained that
the Chairman of the Basingstoke Canal Society had been invited to
attend a meeting with the Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council to
discuss contributions to the Basingstoke Canal Authority by Surrey
Heath.
6.
Officers noted that the contributions made by the
County Councils for the financial year 2018/19 would not change
from the budgeted contribution highlighted in the report. It was
explained, however, that all authorities were looking at saving
proposals resulting from the severe financial stress placed on
local authorities, but that any decision would be balanced with
risk to the canal. Actions/ further information to be provided:
1.
The Committee agreed the outturn forecast for the
current year 2017/18
2.
The Committee agreed the budget for
2018/19 3. The Committee agreed the proposals regarding the scheme of charges for 2018/19
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CANAL CENTRE CAMPSITE - DECISION REPORT
Purpose of the report: To seek approval for development of the Canal Centre campsite to increase revenue income for the Basingstoke Canal Authority.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of
interest: Officers:
Key
points raised during the discussion: 1.
Officers noted that the decision report was a
strategic document to outline the funding requirements for
investment in the Mytchett Canal Centre
campsite, with the aim of improving service and revenue for the
Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA). 2.
The proposal to expand the amount of ground used by
the campsite area was outlined, stressing that the plans allowed
for better utilisation of the site by improving facilities. It was
noted that this would allow for more visitors to use the facilities
at once. It was also noted that the improved facilities would also
justify an increase in charge for the site. 3.
It was highlighted by officers that 80% of the
capital for the project would be funded through M3LEP grant
funding, and that an expression of interest had been submitted. The
remaining 20% would be funded by the BCA reserves. Members
questioned the timescale for the grant funding application
following any decision regarding the proposal by the Committee. It
was noted that the application was viewed favourably, but that any
grant application would be determined by the speed of the grant
provider. 4.
Members questioned the status of any revenue that
would come from the campsite development post the planned transfer
to CRT. It was noted by officers that this would be part of the
negotiation with the CRT and this would be decided as part of the
transfer. 5.
Members questioned whether there had been any public
interest in the campsite report and whether any responses could be
shared with the Committee. Officers noted that a question to the
service had been submitted and that a response had been provided
which would be shared with the Committee. 6.
Members stressed that the service should, when
looking at the operation of the campsite subject to approval,
ensure that there is adequate consultation and advice taken on the
management of such a site. 7.
It was suggested by Members that there were
opportunities to work with local enterprises to expand interest in
the site and develop future partners with the BCA. Members
highlighted that work of this nature would improve the bid for
grant funding. 8. It was stressed that the proceeds earned from the campsite would be retained by the Basingstoke Canal Authority exclusively.
Resolved:
1. That the Committee authorised officers to implement the proposed campsite improvements, apply for all necessary consents, and apply for a Rural Development Fund Grant with match funding to be drawn from the BCA reserve; subject to the approval at an appropriate level within SCC that the whole proceeds from the development will be retained by the BCA. Actions/ further information to be provided:
1. That officers share with the Committee responses and queries put by residents to the service regarding the Canal Centre Campsite.
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CANAL MANAGEMENT REPORT
Purpose of the report: To update Members on the work of the Basingstoke Canal authority undertaken since the last meeting of the Joint Management Committee Minutes: Declarations of interest: Officers: Key points
raised during the discussion:
Actions/ further information to be provided: None
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Purpose of the report: To inform the JMC of the key risks associated to the BCA Canal Partnership after annual review and to ensure risks are mitigated as far as possible. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest: Officers: Key points raised during the discussion:
Actions/ further information to be provided:
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CANAL SOCIETY REPORT
Purpose of the report: To update the Committee on the work undertaken by the Basingstoke Canal Society since its last meeting. Minutes: Declarations of interest: Witnesses: Key points raised during the discussion: Actions/ further information to be provided:
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ACTIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME
Purpose of the report: To review and approve the actions tracker and forward work programme and make comment as required. Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest: None Officers: Key points raised during the discussion:
1.
Key points of the action tracker were highlighted by
officers:
a.
Action 1, (Ref 16/7) relating to the proposed
Business Case Task Group, officers explained that a decision
regarding a business case should be made by the entire voting
membership of the Committee, and that it would not be appropriate
to delegate these to a small group due to the nature of the
Committee. Therefore it was agreed that any urgent Business Cases
would be circulated and agreed upon by email, and that any decision
that is made in this manner could be included in the next public
agenda pack of the Committee, to ensure openness and
transparency.
b.
Members were made aware of the letter sent regarding
partner contributions.
c.
It was agreed that a draft letter would be submitted
on behalf of the JMC to Natural England reminding them of their
membership duties. 2. All other actions were noted to be completed at a later date highlighted in the report. Actions/Further information to be provided: 1. The Actions and forward plan were noted and agreed by the Committee. |
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DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee will be held on 28 June 2018. Minutes: The Committee noted that its next meeting would be on 28 June 2018
The Vice-Chairman suggested that the next meeting should take place as a site visit meeting. This was agreed by the Committee. |