Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Amanda Hampsey.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Harbour Board gave consideration to a report providing an update on the status of plans to establish the Municipal Oban Harbour and the progress of the Oban Harbour Revision Order (HRO).  The report also detailed the formal consultation process to make the Order.

Decision

The Argyll and Bute Harbour Board noted the update provided in the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated January 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Harbour Board gave consideration to a report that outlined the costs and associated reasonable charges (conservancy charge) for the running and maintenance of an expanded Oban Harbour, as defined in the Harbour Revision Order (HRO), which was currently under process with Transport Scotland.

Decision

The Argyll and Bute Harbour Board agreed to recommend to Council in the event that the Harbour Revision Order (HRO) is made -

1. that when setting the fees and charges for 2024 / 2025 it approves, for vessels with a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) over 50 registered tonnage, a baseline Conservancy Charge of 7p / GRT to generate sufficient income to run, maintain and develop Oban Harbour and the Council’s marine infrastructure;

2. to agree that CalMac ferries have a reduced rate of 2p / GRT due to the reasons detailed in the submitted report;

3. to note that this represents a figure for the first year only and that it should be assessed for effectiveness each year and adjusted accordingly;

4. to agree that the adjusted conservancy charge is to be assessed, reported and approved annually in line with the Marine Fees and Charges and is to be included in that report for the Harbour Board for recommendation to Council; and

5. to agree that the vessel types listed in the report at paragraph 4.3 should be exempt from transit or ‘Conservancy’ charges.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated January 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services

The Harbour Board gave consideration to a report proposing the necessary increase in fees and charges for the forthcoming financial year 2024/25 in order to meet the requirements for the Argyll and Bute Council Asset Management Plan referenced in the report considered by the Harbour Board in August 2023.

Decision

The Argyll and Bute Harbour Board –

1.    agreed to recommend to the Council, when setting the fees and charges for 2024 / 2025 that it approves an increase to piers and harbours fees and charges of 3% to generate sufficient income to develop the Council’s marine infrastructure;

2.    noted that this presents a stepped “proposed increase to allow smoothing” over a 10 year period for meeting both the sustainability costs and future improvement costs associated with the marine infrastructure which Argyll and Bute Council has responsibility for; and 

3.    agreed that the asset management plan would continue to be updated on a rolling 10 year basis.

(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services dated January 2024, submitted)

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure

A report clarifying comments made in an earlier report of 31 August 2023 to the Harbour Board was before the Board for noting.

Decision

The Argyll and Bute Harbour Board noted the update provided in the submitted report.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure dated January 2024, submitted)