SHS Ltd Summer Newsletter. AUGUST 2021.
Dear Members,
On the 31st July 2021 the First General Meeting of SHS Ltd was held. 32 members were present and postal votes had been received. The following were duly elected:
Chair: Dai Phillips. Vice Chair: Iain Robertson-Steel. Treasurer: Sian Churchill. President: Dave Taylor. Assistant Treasurer: Jon James.
Committee Members: Sian Perry, John Griffiths, Christian Jones, Josh Phillips. Michael Phillips, Charles Davis, Jim Schoenberger.
Dai Phillips will be the formal Company Secretary and accountable to the FCA.
The Minutes of the General Meeting will be placed on the website subject to ratification.
SHS Ltd faces many challenges in the future and the Committee Structure will include four subgroups: Finance and Business Planning / Membership and Administration / Harbour Management, Moorings and Maintenance / Governance, Legal Matters and Child Protection and Safeguarding.
SHS Ltd will have a weekly management team meeting on Wednesday mornings to manage day to day matters and reply to matters arising in the previous week. Please note that SHS Ltd only operates an administrative office on one day per week (Wednesday morning) and that emails will be replied to after the Wednesday meeting.
SHS Ltd plans to hold a Spring and Autumn Members Forum to engage with the membership and provide feedback and ideas to the Committee.
SHS Ltd will be reviewing the Business Plan and reviewing and revising charges to reflect the costs of providing services to members and visitors and to managing the business, covering costs and developing services and meeting FCA requirements.
A new Kayak rack is being constructed and Kayak charges and rules are being reviewed. The issue of Paddle Boards will also be considered and policy for 2022 published. Bubble storage arrangements are being reviewed. Kayaks must carry a valid sticker and should not be used for non-members or persons using holiday lets without payment of the £3 launching fee for Sand Quay.
Only Members can launch vessels from the Trinity Quay. All visitors and casual users must launch and recover from Sand Quay. The Queen’s Steps cannot be used for launching and recovery and the area in front of the steps must be kept clear to allow motor vessels and yachts to pick up crew and drop passengers.
Significant and expensive repairs are needed to part of the Quay wall near the running moorings and these will be costed and carried out before the 2022 season. All running moorings will be reviewed and necessary works will be carried out. Running moorings were originally intend for use by tenders and the type of boats currently using the running moorings seems to be increasing in size and weight, this will have to be reviewed.
Outboard motors have recently been stolen from the Harbour, please check your boats, ensure that outboards are secure and ensure that you or your agent check the boat regularly. Toughened steel outboard locks should be used, padlocks and bike chains are not suitable. Every insurance claim results in higher insurance costs for the future. Dog fouling, broken glass, littering and unacceptable behaviour have been rising
All cars must carry a Parking Sticker and remember that the parking rights apply to the member in person. Boats must carry a valid sticker on the transom.
Moorings must be regularly checked, suitably weighted and kept clear of weed.
THE HARBOUR SPEED LIMIT IS 4 KNOTS AND MUST BE OBSERVED AT ALL TIMES. THE LIMIT APPLIES FROM THE BLACK ROCK. BEWARE OF SWIMMERS AT ALL TIMES.
There is no doubt that the weather is changing in the long term, wetter but sunnier and windier Summers and more Winter storms are probable as a result of the Climate Emergency. We will all have to adapt, with better and more secure moorings as an example.
SHS recently published moorings advice for members, the Committee hope that members will take the necessary steps. When a storm is forecast, small boats should be removed from the water, if possible, and outboards taken off and secured ashore.
SHS Ltd is considering the introduction of a ‘Duty Member’ Rota in 2022 to assist the Harbour Master during the period April to September in order to control the Quay, to ensure safety, manage parking and launching and to collect casual fees. Approximately two duties may be needed per year to cover the rota. Members will also be expected to participate in two working parties each year to maintain and care for the Quay and the Harbour.
Please ensure that your vessels are fully insured at all times and that the cover is appropriate for their current use.
The Covid 19 threat which has disrupted us all remains with us, and we have seen a huge increase in visitors using the Quay. As a result of increased numbers of visitors and tourists on the Quay we have to ensure that Members and our local Community are protected and able to use the facilities, hence the need for Members only launching from Trinity Quay, Car and Boat stickers and a Duty Member to assist the Harbour Master. Covid 19 will impact on activities for many years to come.
Greater member participation is needed in sharing the work of running the Quay and maintaining it and hence the work parties and Forums. All members are shareholders and have a duty to make sure that the Harbour is used appropriately.
All operating costs are rising and the standing costs per Shareholder are approximately £150. The Membership will need to consider fees and charges for the future and inevitably charges will increase in 2022. SHS needs to maximise its income from casual visitors to cover some of the costs and keep charges as low as possible.
SHS Ltd will publish newsletters quarterly to keep members updated. Please keep an eye on the website for Bulletins and Advisory Notices issued by the Committee and follow the monthly Committee meeting Minutes to keep up to date.
Lift out will take place on 23rd September 2021.
The new Committee wish members all the best for the rest of the year and look forward to a better 2022 Season.
David Phillips Chair and Company Secretary SHS Ltd. On behalf of SHS Ltd. 4 August 2020.
