Latest Boaters' Forum Notes

BOATERS’ FORUM

Minutes of the Fifth Meeting of the Boaters’ Forum

held at Nadee on Tuesday, 26 October 2010

Attending (Forum Members)

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

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

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

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

Jo James – Chair and Forum Secretary

Robert Neff – General Manager

Apologies

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

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

In Attendance

Brian and Sandra have a boat being built and will be mooring at Mercia. They are on the mailing list and thought the Forum was an open meeting. They were welcomed and invited to stay. (It was agreed after the meeting that two places would be available at each subsequent meeting for moorers who would like to attend. Please let Robert know if you would like to be there; only one person from a boat and, to allow as many as possible to do this, repeat attendances should not be sought too often.)

1. Acceptance of Prior Meeting Notes

Members of the Forum were happy with the Notes from the August meeting.

2. Items Arising from Previous Meeting

1) Tree Moving: Planning Permission for the Willington Power Station was now at national level and a matter for Central Government. If/when the development goes ahead, the Marina was concerned to create a good natural screen since there would be four tall stainless steel ‘chimneys’ and other buildings above the current tree line. Trees from the ‘nursery’ at the bottom of the Mercia site were being moved to across the road and other appropriate places at the front of the site. This would also serve the need for thinning trees in the ‘nursery’ and add mature trees to the site in general. The transplanted trees were being supplemented by bought in smaller standard saplings. A good mix of trees would be transplanted and, with the soil conditions similar, it was hoped that there would be a low failure rate over the coming few years as the trees became established.

2) Electricity Price Reduction: The electricity posts had all been reset to reflect the lower price. Safety tests had been completed and RCD’s were being replaced where they had failed or were likely to fail. The work should be completed by the end of October.

3) Lighting at the sides of the Facilities’ Blocks had all been installed.

4) The path leading to G pontoon had been done, as had railings to J, K and R. Railings to S and Q would be done soon and certainly before the December Forum meeting. A picket fence will be installed on the ‘horns’ of G pontoon now that the central path is finished.

5) Further discussions about holding a Car Boot Sale concluded with an agreement that this would not go ahead.

3. Ongoing Issues and Information

a) Car Parks 2 & 3: A contractor had been found and the work would take place in the next two weeks. The larger stones from Car Park 3 would be cleared and then used to fill holes in Car Park 2. The matter of the paving slabs under the refuse bins at Car Park 3 was raised again but the Forum members could not see why these were needed; the refuse collectors had no problem with the bins. Further clarification would be sought. Page -6 October, 2010

b) Fire Proofing: The soffit boards had been purchased and were available from the Marina Office on request. A few moorers had installed one alongside their boat’s exhaust to protect the wooden jetty. Others with a similar need were encouraged to collect a board. If a moorer was concerned about the fixing, s/he could either ask the Office to get it done or Gordon Pilgrim – having done his - would be happy to help/advise other boaters.

c) The Lighthouse: The pub/restaurant/pool/spa complex had now received full planning permission with the design approved and no negative comments. The build cost was likely to be £2.5m with the tenant contributing £.5m. Discussions about the tenancy were taking place with three interested parties and a national advertisement was being placed. Work would ideally start in May 2011 and finish by Easter 2012 but this would depend on finding the right tenant and financing. When the complex was up and running, it would to open to all and moorers were likely to receive discounted memberships on the pool and spa.

d) Mooring Some Mooring Agreements still needed to signed for the current Agreements: year. Lucy was putting together a list of those who had not yet signed and relevant moorers would be contacted shortly. Paying mooring fees was only part of the annual requirement for each boater.

e) Storage Cabins: Planning permission had now been given. They would be built in phases by the semi-circular car park near Z pontoon, would vary in size (6’ x 8’ and 6’ x 4’) and look like the holiday homes in terms of external finish. A builder had yet to be signed and so the costs were not known. These costs would dictate the rental cost of the cabins which could be shared but only one name would appear on the rental agreement. It was hoped they would be built in early Spring 2011.

f) Jetty Washing The Office had been notified that X pontoon needed to be power washed since it got particularly slippery with the overhanging trees. This would be done and moorers were asked to notify the Office of any other pontoons with similar problems.

g) Bonfire Night: A poster had been put up with details of the Bonfire Night event on Saturday 6 November. There would be food and music at the Willow Tree Tea Rooms and with the Trading Post now having a licence, alcohol could be purchased. Moorers were invited to bring friends and family. There would be fireworks and Robert had asked that the sound be condensed to minimise disturbance to moorers and their pets. Some moorers were planning a party around the marina’s BBQs

h) Christmas Event: This was still in the planning stage but was expected to take place on Saturday 18 December. Ideally it would be at the Willow Tree Tea Rooms with food, drink and music. More details would be available when plans were finalised.

i) Wednesday Nights: Martyn was now providing a moorers’ supper night at the Willow Tree Tea Rooms with good basic food being provided by Sue. The first night had gone well and it was hoped moorers would try it. The Bistro evenings would continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Some of the Wednesday evenings would also offer entertainment – such as music and quizzes – encouraging a social evening after the meal. 3 BOATERS’ FOR

j) Frosts: The water supply, despite the underground protection put in, had frozen in the taps last winter and it was intended to lag one bollard on each pontoon as appropriate in case temperatures dropped sharply again this winter. It was suggested that, as had been the practice last year on one or two pontoons, one tap was also kept dribbling very slowly to keep water flowing. This was accepted as a good idea provided it were only done if the temperatures were forecast as being very low and if one long-term moorer close to the tap was prepared to take on responsibility. Salt bins had all been topped up and moorers were reminded of the need to be careful when walking on the pontoons and jetties.

k) Sheep and Dogs: The local farmer noted the amount of dog mess not cleared from the fields which he used for grazing. Moorers were strongly reminded that they were responsible for their dogs and must clean up behind them, whether on the marina or in the surround fields. There was no excuse for leaving dog mess behind and anyone who noted a dog owner not clearing up behind their pet could always report it to the Office.

l) Site Tidiness: There would be a tour of the site in the near future with boat owners reminded of the need for tidiness and lack of clutter. Pontoons and jetties should not have personal possessions left on them. A moorers’ contract did not entitle the use of space on these and consideration for fellow boaters meant they must be kept clear.

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

1) Dog Guards: There are one or two moorers who have put dog guards on the jetties by their boats. This is not allowed – the jetty is not the property of the moorer and dogs are to be kept under control and avoid being a nuisance to other moorers. Dog guards must be removed.

2) Slipping: One moorer had slipped on a jetty in the ice and it was important to take care in icy conditions and use the salt provided in the bins. One representative recommended socks put on over shoes as a good way of providing grip. No covering on the wooden pontoons/jetties would be appropriate – Health and Safety considerations made coverings themselves a potential hazard.

3) Disabled Parks: Disabled badges could be put against parking spaces as appropriate if requested. All vehicle owners were expected to avoid using these spaces unless they ‘qualified’.

4) Vehicle Parking: Vehicle owners were expected to avoid leaving vehicles (cars and motor homes) at the front of parking areas if these vehicles were not used regularly. Also if they were going out cruising. Some Car Park areas were particularly busy and it was inconsiderate for cars to be left unused in prime positions. Little used cars, motor homes and other vehicles should be parked out of the way whilst the Office looks at a creating long-term parking area within the compound. The semi-circular car park by Z pontoon also had problems with cars being left in inappropriate spaces. Steps would be taken to block off access areas and to identify vehicle owners who did not park carefully. This led to a discussion about vehicles in general and it was agreed that the Marina would issue identifying roundels for vehicle windscreens. These would link a vehicle to a boat. Further information on this scheme will be made available to all moorers in the near future.

5) Cats: There were a lot of complaints about cats on the Marina causing nuisance to other moorers. Moorers were reminded that it was their responsibility to ensure their pets did not cause a nuisance and were kept under appropriate control. Wherever there were persistent complaints about a particular pet, action would be taken. The ultimate sanction would be to terminate a mooring agreement.

6) Mats in Facilities The corridors in the Facilities’ Block shower and toilet areas could be Blocks: slippery and it was asked whether rubberised mats might be put down. Robert said this was not appropriate; the tiling met all building regulations and provided the correct flooring in such areas.

7) Pontoon Ropes: Some pontoons had a stretch of water on the bank side. It was asked whether posts with ropes might be provided as they are for steps. Robert said there was not, as yet, any plan to do this and moorers should exercise proper care when walking on all pontoons and jetties.

8) Swings Some moorers had asked whether children’s swings might be provided. Robert said it was intended to provide a children’s play area as part of the redesign outside the Tea Rooms. Any such play area would need to be done properly with all appropriate safety provision and it would cost around £20k. Providing swings in the Marina itself would not be possible because of these safety needs.

9) Allotments: It had been asked whether allotments might be developed. Robert said this had been discussed by the Management Group but ruled out because, for instance, there could be no possibility of storage for tools and equipment and it would be difficult to regulate in terms of tidiness and ensuring each area was kept well tended. Willington, Repton and Findern all have allotments and those interested might contact the appropriate local Parish Council for more information.

10) Motor Bike Racks: Motor bike racks would be provided where there is identified need. Those concerned should talk to the Marina Office.

11) Speeding: There seemed to be a reduction in vehicles speeding in the Marina, though members of the Forum had had occasion to speak to one or more drivers. Robert reminded all moorers that if they saw anyone exceeding the speed limit (10mph), he would like a quick phone call to the Office. If the vehicle is on its way out of the marina, there is plenty of time for someone to go out of the Office and stop the vehicle as it comes past having cleared the gates.

12) Coal: It was asked why it was no longer possible to use the coal man who had supplied the marina in the past. Robert explained that this had been a temporary measure whilst sufficient storage had been made available for the Trading Post. With that in place, it was the Trading Post who was the business on site and, to ensure it remained so and continued to provide all moorers with a variety of services (provisions, postal service, newspapers, etc.) moorers should be ready to support it. He also reminded moorers that the Trading Post would deliver bags of coal actually to a boat.

13) Composting Bin: In response to a suggestion that there might be a composting bin provided on site, all members of the Forum felt this would be inappropriate. It would attract vermin, it would almost certainly have the ‘wrong’ things put into it and become a health hazard.

14) Brass Plaques: Moorers’ request for Mercia Marina brass canal plaques will be pursued by the Office.

5. Next Meeting

The next meeting would be on Tuesday, 14 December 2010 at 7 pm at Nadee. If moorers have matters they wish to raise, they should talk to the appropriate representative or talk directly to the Marina Office at any time. There will be two ‘observer’ places at this meeting and if any moorer wished to attend, s/he should talk to Robert.