Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its two appendices and to make the following resolutions:

(1)  That  subject to partnership funding remaining in place, funding of £25,000 from reserves be allocated towards:

a.     a technical and financial report that includes possible operational models and a five-year business case;

b.     a wider socio-economic assessment to assess the benefits of a haven to Selsey;

c.     legal advice and other ancillary project costs.

(2)  That the Head of Housing and Environment Services be authorised to approve expenditure of the above funds.

RESOLVED

(1)  That given that partnership funding is in place the allocation of funding of £25,000 from reserves be approved for use towards:

a)    a technical and financial report that includes possible operational models and a five-year business case;

b)    a wider socio-economic assessment to assess the benefits of a haven to Selsey;

c)     legal advice and other ancillary project costs.

(2)  That the Head of Housing and Environment Services be authorised to approve expenditure of the funds in para (1).

The Cabinet received and considered the agenda report and its two appendices in the main agenda supplement (copies attached to the official minutes).

The report was presented by Mrs Purnell.

Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Stevens were in attendance for this item.

Mrs Purnell said that this partnership project had as its aim the construction of a small harbour with associated business units near East Beach Selsey so as to provide fisheries protection, economic opportunities, flood protection and a visitor focus on the Manhood Peninsula.  An initial feasibility study had been undertaken; its findings were summarised in paras 4.2 and 4.3 of the report. A technical and economic feasibility study was now recommended and the Cabinet was requested to approve release of monies on a match-funding basis with Selsey Town Council and the Selsey Fisherman’s Association. She pointed out that in para 9.1.3 of the report the names of two other CDC members had been omitted: Mr J W Elliott and Mr D Wakeham, who represented respectively the Selsey South and Selsey North wards.

Mrs Cunningham and Mrs Stevens did not wish to add to Mrs Purnell’s introduction.

Mr Barrow said that this was potentially a very important project for Selsey and its fishery and tourism/leisure industry. The viability of the project, which could not be guaranteed, needed to be examined properly and this required funding for that purpose. He commended the project and supported the recommendations.   

Mrs Taylor supported the proposal, recognising the importance of tourism to Selsey. She remained unsure whether a haven would have a long-term viability but this was a question for the further study to address and answer.

Mr Dignum and Mrs Lintill welcomed the match-funding pledged by the project’s two partners. They and Mrs Plant acknowledged that this was a huge project but it was right to assess its viability. Mr Dignum highlighted the list of direct and indirect benefits which a haven was likely to bring (pages 208 and 209 of the main appendix bundle).

Mrs Purnell commented that a haven would greatly improve beach safety. Selsey was the biggest conurbation within the District outside Chichester city and needed to be made into a destination. This study would assess the viability of realising that aspiration in this particular way.

With Mr Dignum’s permission, Mr J C P Connor, one of the three CDC members for the Selsey North ward, addressed the Cabinet in enthusiastic support of the project per se and the recommendations in the report. He also answered a question by Mrs Hardwick about the number of actual working fisherman in Selsey.

Decision

Members voted unanimously on a show of hands to make the resolutions set out below. 

RESOLVED

(1)  That given that partnership funding is in place the allocation of funding of £25,000 from reserves be approved for use towards:

a)    a technical and financial report that includes possible operational models and a five-year business case;

b)    a wider socio-economic assessment to assess the benefits of a haven to Selsey;

c)     legal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 328