Agenda item

Considered a report of the Corporate Director of Environment providing an update on general matters relating to the council’s harbours.  In presenting the report, the Head of Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure, Chris Bourne advised that the council had begun to develop a new Harbour Strategy and Investment Plan the outline of which was set out in Appendix A of the report, which would seek to optimise opportunities for the harbours, for example from the emerging offshore windfarm industry.  He cited both a crew transfer vessel operator and a guard boat operator who were interested in basing their operations locally.  The new strategy would be developed in consultation with members, harbour users and other stakeholders and a draft would be submitted to the committee for comment in due course.  Mr Bourne then turned to challenges around harbour infrastructure notwithstanding the significant historical investment by Scarborough Borough Council.  He referred to the damaging impact of accelerated low water corrosion on harbour infrastructure, and the need for repairs of Eskside Wharf, West Pier Inner Pile Wall, timbering and fendering of Fish Quay, and the roundhead of West Pier and Lighthouse Pier.  Mr Bourne acknowledged that the delay in dredging operations was unacceptable, but the council was trying to address this by bringing the operation inhouse following the external firm ceasing operations.  There were also delays in securing a dredging licence, in part because of the increased scrutiny by statutory consultees in the aftermath of the devastating mass shellfish die-off.

Members then discussed the report raising the following points:

·       Continuing concern over the mass shellfish die-off.  The original expert enquiry had concluded that none of the possible reasons attributed for the die-off were viable, suggesting instead that an unknown pathogen could be responsible.  The council’s current position was to press for a full public enquiry which Councillor Bastiman and others were pursuing.

·       Disappointment at the delay in progressing the offshore renewables agenda, the regeneration of Scarborough West Pier and the completion of Whitby Maritime Hub

·       Disappointment at the delay in developing a new Harbour Strategy to replace the former Scarborough Borough Council strategy

·       Ongoing concern at the impact on the harbours of the suspension of dredging operations 

In reply to their questions, members were advised that:

·       It was regrettable that the dredging licence was allowed to expire, but the council was now addressing this matter as a priority

·       Harbour depths were constantly monitored to ensure channels remained navigable in the harbours, but a fuller reply would be provided to the committee

·       The dredger Sands End was owned by North Yorkshire Council

·       The installation of a boat hoist was critical to attracting the offshore renewables sector. The project was currently being costed to ensure that the associated infrastructure works could be delivered to enable the boat hoist to be installed.  These particular infrastructure works were isolated from the wider improvements to ensure one project was not dependent on the other, since the boat hoist project was at a more advanced stage.  Not all the funding had yet been identified for the boat hoist but the council was working with the Mayoral Authority and other agencies to achieve this.

·       The council was actively engaging with the offshore renewables sector to identify the infrastructure improvements which needed to be made to the harbours (including the boat hoist) to attract their business

·       Mr Bourne would address concerns about the sinkhole at Scarborough Lighthouse and the poor state of the building on Whitby Fish Quay with the council’s Property Service

·       The new Harbour Strategy was deliberately sparse at this outline stage to allow a fresh start and the views of stakeholders to inform its development.  Mr Bourne would also make use of preparatory work undertaken by the previous Assistant Director

·       The new refresh of Scarborough Coastal Strategy was another important piece of work which would take into account the predicted rise in sea levels and the works required to protect coastal assets

Resolved that:

       i.         the report be received and the contents noted; and

     ii.         the committee make representations to the Leader of the Council as follows:

·       the committee recognises that the council’s harbours are a key part of the local economy, culture, heritage and prosperous future of Scarborough, Whitby and Filey;

·       the committee is extremely concerned about the lack of progress in the strategic development of the harbours since local government reorganisation, as evidenced by the delay in attracting investment by the offshore renewables sector in Scarborough and Whitby harbours, the delay in the regeneration of Scarborough West Pier, and the completion of the new Whitby Maritime Hub and therefore can only conclude that the new council does not grasp the importance of the harbours to the local and wider economy;

·       the committee therefore urges the council to fully support the harbour team with sufficient resource to deliver a new Harbour Strategy and Investment Plan to secure the ongoing success of the harbours for generations to come; and

·       asks the Leader to consider appointing a Harbour Member Champion to help progress these matters