BOATERS’ FORUM

Minutes of the Third Meeting of the Boaters’ Forum held at Nadee on Thursday, 24 June 2010

Attending (Forum Members)

Steve Taylor (NB Jenique).- Finch, Grebe, Heron

Celia Kind (NB Bluebell) - Ibis, Jay, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Moorhen

Sandy Bentham (NB Swift) – Veery, Woodcock, Xantus, Yellowhammer

Lee Bartlett (NB La Pirogue) – Nuthatch, Owl, Peregrine, Quail

Gordon Pilgrim (NB Edgewood Dirk) – Zebra Dove, Avocet, Blackbird, Albatross, Bullfinch

Jo James – Forum Secretary

Robert Neff – General Manager

Andrew Denny – “Granny Buttons” attending

Apologies

Jane Bennett (NB Janeil) – Redshank, Sandpiper, Teal, Upland Goose

Robert Neff had invited Andrew, author of the Granny Buttons’ blog and resident of Findern Lane, to the meeting as a point of interest since it demonstrated the relationship and communication between the Marina and the boaters. Those attending introduced themselves.

1. Acceptance of Prior Meeting Notes

Members of the Forum were happy with the notes from the February meeting and had no additions or amendments to make.

2. Items Arising from Previous Meeting

· Holiday Homes: The Show Home was now being built and would be open for the July weekend. There was a website (http://www.merciamarinalodges.co.uk/) and further information at the Marina Office.

· Fireboards on Jetties: These would be put up following the July weekend.

· Bike Racks: These appeared popular with bikes filling up the additional racks provided. More would be supplied provided appropriate use and care was evident.

· Visitor Jetty: Midland Chandlers, who leased the jetty, would be putting up a sign making it clear that this was for short-stay loading purposes only.

· Facilities’ Blocks Repairs: There was still work to be done. Additional work was needed to the floor joists and this, coupled with the unavailability of the contracted labour, had resulted in delays. All Blocks were useable but Robert was sorry for the delay in completion. It was noted that door hooks were also needed.

· Picnic Benches, BBQs and Bench Seats: These were now around the Marina, though further Bench Seats had still to go in. Boaters were asked to ensure the areas were appropriately used and kept clean; the Marina would not be responsible for cleaning the BBQs. Boaters could use any of the BBQs or picnic areas and it was noted that some benches had been moved. The Forum did not consider this a problem provided the principle of common use and sharing was followed.

· Safety Ladders: More had been provided where possible. The point was made that the position of the ladders might lead them to being frozen into the ice during the winter. It would not then be possible to free them quickly if someone went through the ice. The Forum saw no solution to this, agreeing that it was not possible to raise the position of the ladders without making them a trip hazard.

· Vermin: Thirty-five boxes with bait had been distributed around the Marina and Forum members reported on a noticeable reduction in rats.

· Storage Sheds: These would be provided for rent– timber built and bespoke. Robert needed feedback on size and shape and Steve Taylor would talk to boaters and come back to Robert with a general consensus on what was wanted. Anyone with views should contact Steve Taylor on Jenique.

· Pub: The design and drawings were in the Office for all to see. The responses had been good to date. The Marina was now waiting for the Council’s comments. The build cost was likely to be £2.5m (£2m from the Marina, £.5m from the tenant) and, all being well, the build would begin next year and finished in 2012. The spa/heath area would be open to the local community as well as the Marina with full or day memberships available (discount for boaters!).

· Mercia Cards: These had been well received and further local businesses were being sought. Steve Taylor reported that The Wheel in Findern would give 20% discount on all meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For an up-to-date list of businesses and discounts, ask at the Marina Office

· Spring Tidy: This had been a success. The follow-on Summer Tidy was well underway but there was work still to do. Some areas needed particular attention such as the island and walkway in the Finch, Grebe and Heron area.

· Unlicensed Boats: The feeling was that the majority of boats were displaying current licences. If a boater was concerned about a boat, its state of repair or safety, they should report it to the Office.

· Untaxed Cars: It was suggested that boaters concerned with untaxed cars should report them as appropriate.

3. Issues and Information

a) Pontoons: A small addition to the pontoon walkway between X and Y had been built together with a mid-jetty access on the Y pontoon. These had been wanted by the boaters and the plans agreed by Robert with the Marina paying for the materials and the excellent work done by Chris Fletcher on Y. The addition to the pontoon was to provide a small ‘sitting out’ area, particularly for those in the nearby boats with mobility needs.

Forum members asked whether similar changes might be made elsewhere. Robert was happy to receive proposals and would again provide the cost of materials provided the work could be done by the boaters themselves to a similarly high standard.

b) Block 3 Bins: These are being moved to within the circular car park by Facilities Block 3 and 3 additional bins have been provided in the semi circular car park leading to the dry dock. Two additional car park spaces have been created to accommodate the show lodge and only one car park space has been lost compared to the two originally planned. Sandy Bentham knows the details if boaters wished further information.

4. Any Other Business (issues raised by Forum Members from discussion with their areas)

1) Jetty Boards: Janet (Lady Jessica) wanted to her thanks for the board fixing to be passed.

2) Dryers: The new dryers had only one time setting – 40 minutes for £1. Boaters would appreciate a 20-minute for 50p option. Robert would look into this.

3) Clothes Drying: Boaters felt it should be possible to dry clothes outside, particularly given the weather. Robert said the boaters’ contract stated clearly what was allowed and these requirements were to preserve the quality of the environment. Clothes could be dried in the cratch or in the back of semi-trads as long as covers were down on a cratch or the rear doors on a semi-trad were closed.

4) Slippery Jetty: The X Jetty, under the trees, could get slippery. Robert felt there was a need for more frequent jetty washes in particular areas.

5) Facilities’ Blocks: To avoid visitors and boaters being caught short when Blocks were closed for cleaning, it was agreed that a notice should go up in each Facilities Block, stating the time period when it was likely to be cleaned on each day (weekdays and weekends). Robert knew the cleaners did try to keep to a routine but it was not always possible.

6) Weed on Boats: A Boater was concerned that when the weed had been cleaned off the waterline following a trip out, rust was evident. Knowledgeable boaters present said it was the wind and water that took the bitumen off and that the waterline was always the first to show such wear. But if the anodes are up to scratch this will do no harm. Certainly the weed was not affecting the bitumen.

7) Handrail: The agreed handrail by Block 2 had not yet been fitted. Robert apologised for this, saying that once the Open Days were over, it would be done.

8) The Big Lunch Jude (Salt Spring) has suggested that Boaters might like to take part in the Big Lunch (www.thebiglunch.com) on Sunday, 18 July by having a marina BBQ – either centrally or at each of the BBQ sites around the marina. (The Big Lunch began life as a wild seed at The Eden Project who believed the world can get better by people working together, with nature, optimism and common sense.) All forum members supported the idea believing it should be organised by the boaters themselves. Sandy Bentham would be willing to help Jude with the thinking and planning for the event and all forum members would support the event and help publicise it.

9) Cats: Some boaters were concerned at the number of cats on the marina. Robert said that there were no restrictions on cats (unlike dogs which had to be on a lead at all times). Forum members felt it was accepted generally that cats do roam and that they were part of the marina life.

10) Dogs: It was not permitted to have dog guards on jetties – both because the jetty was not part of the boaters’ rented space and because the dog/s were not under proper control.

11) Mooring Fees: The VAT increase on the 4^th of January would be passed on to boaters’ mooring fees. It appears that this would not affect those paying the full year in September, but would affect those paying monthly or quarterly, an uplift occurring after January. Robert would check with the accountants to see whether it would be possible to pay the fees in the first quarter or monthly up to December and then a single payment for the residual nine months and thus avoid the VAT increase.

With regard to the basic mooring fees, Robert did not know yet whether there would be an increase (the marina would remain competitive with others) but any increase would only be in line with inflation which was itself very low.

12) Moorings: It was asked whether wide beams might have priority for bank side moorings since they did not then incur an additional charge. Robert replied that all bank side moorings (which were sought after) were available to all boats and they were allocated according to a waiting list to ensure a fair and equitable system. Wide beams taking up two narrowboat moorings did only pay a 30% premium where other marinas might charge a 100% premium.

13) Strangers: Two women were recently sunning themselves on deck chairs in the secure area – having come in ‘for a walk and a sit down’ through, they said, open gates. Robert said he was always available for security issues on site though incidents were rare now that the gates were in place – provided boaters took care of their fobs and did not loan them to anyone. For an emergency security issue, the Police should be called.

14) Speeding: Cars and vans were still spotted exceeding the 10mph speed limit. Numbers were being taken and these vehicles reported to the Marina Office. Everyone was asked to co-operate – both in terms of keeping their speed down when driving around the perimeter road and in reporting those driving too fast. Action would be taken on known offenders.

15) Swans: One of the male swans was particularly territorial and was known to threaten dogs and indeed people. A watch would be kept and if the problem got worse, the RSPB could re-site birds if their behaviour was unsuited to the local environment.

5. Festival and Open Days, 3 and 4 July 2010

Robert reported that plans were now completed and there was a great deal promised. The Programme would be available from the Marina Office and all visitors would be welcomed. Car Parking was £1 a car in the field past the amenity lake and the adjoining house; car passes for boaters were available from the Marina Office. Sea cadets and army cadets would be coming to help with car parking and site security. There would be a big wheel on the central promontory area, a land train around the marina and junior go-karts in the field at the back end. Thirty stalls were expected with craft and art and specialist boat services. The evenings would have a Hog Roast, BBQ, Music and Fireworks.

Forum members had invited family and friends and were looking forward to what promised to be a great weekend.

6. Chair

Robert told the Forum he wanted to hand the Chair over as it would relieve him of the preparation and administrative detail and it would be easier to be a participant in the meetings rather than also chairing them. He proposed Jo James should take over the role. Forum members discussed the proposal and were in favour of trying the arrangement over the next couple of meetings. It was stressed that the informal structure should be preserved and, in the spirit of that informality, roles could be rearranged if needed.

7. Next Meeting

The next meeting would be on Tuesday, 31 August 2010 at 7 pm at Nadee.

All moorers are encouraged to talk to their representatives or inform the Marina Office if there are matters to be raised.

Or contact Jo James directly (07973 711431; jojames46@gmail.com)