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Under reference to paragraph 6 of the Minute of this Committee dated 20 March 2018, a report by the Corporate Director (Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure) informed the Committee with regard to matters of Marine Safety and compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) for the first quarter of 2019/20.
During discussion, a number of concerns were raised in relation to harbour safety surrounding the water depth of harbours and lack of dredging and although it was accepted that Council Officers provided reports to this Committee each cycle informing the Committee in relation to matters of marine safety, it was queried whether the Council's harbours were inspected by an Independent Advisor?
In response, the Transportation Manager advised that Marex Marine Risk Consultancy carry out periodic audits on the Council's harbours and that this was last reported to this Committee in March 2018.
The Committee raised further concern that Elected Members, being part of the Harbour Board, are legally responsible for any incidents or accidents that occur at Council harbours and it was felt that Elected Members had not received sufficient training in relation to marine safety.
In response, the Head of Direct Services advised that training on the Port Marine Safety Code had been arranged for Members that afternoon which would provide the Committee with further information in relation to marine safety. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services further advised that the Council, as a body corporate is responsible for the harbours in Moray and that the Port Marine Safety Code, although not a statutory code, advises a proportionate approach and that this would be further explained at the upcoming training session.
Councillor Warren was concerned that the Committee were being asked to note the safety performance of harbours when their knowledge of marine safety was limited therefore moved that the Committee defer consideration of the report until the next meeting of the Committee once Members had received training on the Port Marine Safety Code and a further independent report from Marex had been received on the safety of the Council's harbours. This was seconded by Councillor Macrae.
The Chair was of the view that Elected Members would benefit from the upcoming training on the Port Marine Safety Code however could find no reason why the Committee shouldn't note the findings in the report therefore moved that the Committee agree to note the safety performance as recommended. This was seconded by Councillor Morrison.
Councillor Feaver accepted that the training might highlight areas where further action is required therefore suggested that the Chair add a further recommendation to this amendment that, should any actions be identified at the training, these be carried out by the Council.
In response, the Chair agreed with Councillor Feaver and added her suggestion to his amendment. This was also agreed by Councillor Morrison as seconder.
On a division there voted:
For the Motion (3) |
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Councillors Warren, Macrae and Cowie |
For the Amendment (7) |
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Councillors Leadbitter, Morrison, Coull, Cowe, Divers, Feaver and M McLean |
Abstentions (0) |
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Nil |
Accordingly, the Amendment became the finding of the Committee and it was agreed:
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to note the safety performance detailed within the report, fulfilling their function as Duty Holder under the Port Marine Safety Code; and
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to carry out any actions identified following the Port Marine Safety Code training.